The franchises of the fairs of Lyons in the early half of the last century had this special feature: that all goods intended for foreign countries, sent out of this city during the fifteen days of either fair, paid no customs outwards, provided the bales and parcels were marked with the city arms, and had certificates of franchise properly made out. To enjoy this privilege the merchandise had to be sent out of the kingdom before the first day of the following fair, unless special permission for delay had been obtained.
There is reason to believe that a considerable trade in books was transacted at these fairs during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
These fairs have a great history, which cannot be followed up here, and there is the less need to make the attempt because the inquiry is already in competent hands, those of Mr. Chancellor Christie, of Darley House, Matlock. The authorities which may be consulted are the following:—
1. “Ordonnances et priviléges des Foires de Lyon, et leur antiquité avec celle de Brie et Champagne et la confirmation d’ialles par sept roys de France.” Printed at Lyons in 1560, and subsequently.
2. “Cat. de la Bib. Lyonnaise a M. Costa redige par Aime Vingtrisme.” (Lyon, Brun, 1853.) Pp. 458-61. Nos. 10,353-10,415.
3. A Memoir addressed to Charles VIII. in 1485, and presented by M. Pericaud ainé in his privately printed “Notes et documents pour servir a l’histoire de Lyon, 1483-1546” (Lyons, 1840).
4. In the “Proces de Bandiction de la Maison Neuve Accusé d’heresia à Lyon 1534,” printed by Fick, Geneva, in 1873.
Montrichard (in Touraine).—This fair was famous for the great concourse of traders to it from all the provinces of the kingdom; but particularly for the great trade in woollen stuffs, amounting on an average to some 12,000 pieces at each fair.
Rheims.—This city had formerly four fairs; it has now two only, May and October—the great fair on St. Remigius’ day. These were all free fairs, two of the original fairs lasting eight days, the others but three days. Their franchises were mainly the same as those of Champagne. A very large commerce was in early times transacted at these.