1235. The king has conceded to Henry, Abbot of St. Edmund, that he and his successors have yearly for ever two fairs in the suburb of the town of (Bury) St. Edmunds, namely one outside the north gate, outside the town, beside the hospital of St. Saviour, to last for three days, the eve, the day, and the morrow of the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord; and another outside the south gate of the town, likewise to last for three days, the eve, the day, and the morrow of the feast of the Translation of St. Edmund: unless such fairs be to the injury of neighbouring fairs. And the sheriff is commanded to cause this charter to be read in full county court, and these fairs to be proclaimed and held.
Cal. of Close, 1234-7, 61.
Encroachments on market-places were not lawful without special licence.
1123. Foundation of the Priory of St. Bartholomew on part of Smithfield market-place by Rahere, first prior.
Since the place godly to him (Rahere) shown was contained within the king's market, of the which it was not lawful to princes or other lords, of their proper authority, anything to diminish, neither yet to so solemn an obsequy to depute: therefore, using … men's counsel, in opportune time he addressed him to the king, and before him, and the Bishop Richard (de Belmeis, Bishop of London) being present, the which he had made to him favourable before, effectually expressed his business, and that he might lawfully bring his purpose to effect meekly besought. And nigh him was he (St. Bartholomew) in whose hand it was, to what he would the king's heart to incline, and ineffectual these prayers might not be, whose author is the apostle, whose gracious hearer was God: his word therefore was pleasant and acceptable in the king's eye. And when he had weighed the good will of the man prudently, as he was witty, he granted to the petitioner his kingly favour, benignly giving authority to execute his purpose. And he, having the title of the desired possession, of the king's majesty, was right glad.
Book of the Foundation of the Church of St. Bartholomew, London. Original Latin version (Cotton MS., Vesp., B. IX., fols. 41-3), written 1174-89. Old English version written about 1400 and edited by Norman Page.
In the greater markets particular places were assigned to the sellers of particular wares.
Ancient Regulation of Oxford market renewed in 1319.
The sellers of straw, with their horses and carts that bring it, shall stand between East Gate and All Saints' church, in the middle of the king's highway.
The sellers of wood in carts shall stand between Shydyerd Street and the tenement sometime of John Maidstone….