1592. On 28th Aug. the Corporation of Cambridge made orders that none but freemen should, in time of Sturbridge Fair, sell and deliver fish in any hut or vessel on the water, until the fish booths in the water-fair were let, and then to make composition with the bailiff of the ward. And that all except freemen, who brought pitch and tar to the fair to be sold, should pay 2s. per last for grinding to the bailiff of the ward; and that if any suit or controversy at law should arise about executing the premises, the charges should be borne by a levy to be assessed upon the burgesses.
1595. Memorandum, that this daye and yeare by a common consente, it is agreed, that the order made ... Feby anno Regni Hen. Octavi 13ᵒ concerninge enjoyers of booths to dwell within the towne; and shewinge in what time he shall sell them yf he go out of the towne, shall stand, remaine and be in full force and effecte; and that no maior of the towne of Cambridge from henceforthe shall propounde any grace, or do any acte or actes, devise or devises whatsoever, to the breache or violating thereof; and that the maior of this towne, yearly to be chosen, on the daie of his election, or on the daye that he taketh the oathe against vintinge, shall make solemn oathe to the observation hereof “Hist. and Antiq. of Barnwell Abbey” (p. 96, part ii.).
1596. 16th Aug. The Corporation made an order that every burgess who should thereafter buy any booth or booth-ground in this fair should at the time of his admission thereto, make solemn oath before the mayor, that he had bought the same simply to the use of himself and his heirs, and not to the use of any foreigner or foreigners, without fraud, collusion, or deceit.
CHAPTER XI.
THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
1600.
On 16th Aug. the Corporation of Cambridge made ordinances that no bailiff should “by any wayes, meanes, or culler whatsoever demise or lett to ferme his bayliwich within this Town or Fayers, or eny profitts belonging to the same, to eny persone or persones whatsoever, uppon payne of disfrannchisinge.”