Fairs, past and present

by Cornelius Walford

Also where great detriments, hurts, and deceites have beene to the Kings subjectes in tymes past, by reason of false and unlawfull measure, brought by Potters and other persons to bee sould in this fayre and the precinct of the same; for avoydinge therefore the sayd hurts and untrew measures, wee straightlie charge and comaund that every Potter, and all other persons as bring such pots to bee sould in this fayre, or the precinct of the same, that ye and all other from hensforth sell and buy trew goods and laweful measures, as gallons, pottles, quartes, pintes and halfe pints, under the payne of imprisonment, and that to remain till they have made fyne at the will of the sayd officers.

Also if any Bruer be found fauty in any of the premisses after that hee hath bene iij times Amerced, then yᵉ said brewer shal bee comited to prison, there to remayne till hee have fined at the will of the officers of the Universitye.

Also that every Tipler or Gauger, that selleth ale in this fayer that they have theire measures well and lawfullie sealed and assyzed according to the standerd of the Universitie; and yᵗ every Gauger, and bere-brewer yᵗ hath Ale or bere to sell, have a signe at theire booth, whereby they may yᵉ better be knowne, under yᵉ payne of imprisonment.

Also that every Vintener, that hath wyne to sell in this fayre, as white wyne, redd wyne, Clarett wyne, Gaskyn wyne, mamsey, or any other wyne, that they sell no dearer than they doe at London, except a ob. in a gallon towards yᵉ carriage; and yᵗ every vintener have theire potts and theire measures sysed and ensealed after the standard of the Universitie, under yᵉ payne of forfeiture, and theire bodyes to prison.

Also that all persons that bringeth linge fyshe salt fyshe, stocke fyshe, or any other salt fyshe, to sell in this fayre, or within yᵉ precinct of yᵉ same, that they sell no rott fyshe, no burnt fyshe, no rustie fyshe, but good, lawfull, and holesome for man’s body, under ye payne of forfeiture of yᵉ fyshe and theire bodyes to pryson.

Also all manner of persons which have samon herringe or eels to sell in this fayer, that yᵉ vessels called Butts, Barrells, half Barrells, and firkins, you sell none of them before they be sene and searched, & yᵗ yᵉ butt hold and conteyne 84 Gallons, well and trulie packed upon payne for every butt, barrell, half barrell so lackinge theire said measure vj s. iiij d. And yᵗ yᵉ great salmon be well and trulie packed by itself, without meddlinge of any grills, or broken-bellied samon with the same: and that all small fyshe called Grilles be packed by themselves, and without any meddlinge upon payne of forfeiture & loosing of vj s. viij d. for every butt, barrell, and halfe barrell so found saltye, contrary to the statute of yᵉ parliament; on the which statute these poynts and other more bee more playnly xpressed.

Also that every Pikemonger that bringeth fresh fish to this fayre to sell, as Pike, Tench, Roche, perche, eele, or any other fresh fishes, that the fishe be quicke and lymishe, and of the size and bignesse according to the statute thereof made, under the payne of forfeiture, and their bodyes to prison.

Also that every butcher, that bringeth flesh to sell in this faire that he bring no rotten fleshe, no muireynes, no sussiners, [foul or unwholesome meat (?)] but lawfull and holesome for man’s bodye, and that every butcher bringe the side [hide?] and the tallowe of all such flesh as hee shall kill, to sell in the faire, and that every butcher bring with him the liver and the longes of all such beastes under the payne of forfeiture.

Also that every Baker that baketh horse Bread to sell that hee sell iij loaves for A penny, after good and lawful size, and after such size as shall be given them, and that it be made of good pease beanes and other lawful stuffe, upon the payn aforesayd.