The total number of horses disposed of at this fair was 44, while 6 were exchanged; the prices of two are not given; the remaining 36 average £2 0s. 0½d. each, the highest price paid being £4 5s. for “one bay nagge,” and the lowest 10s. for the bay mare sold by the Bristol dealer.

At fairs in other years the business done in horses was as follows:—

Average price.
No. of horses sold.£s.d.
162939298
163097299
163160219
1632262162
163333350
1634292180
1635212110
1636172157
1637222191
1638312180
1639362140
164192145
16423
164321156
164746434
164852140
16493731510
165017458
1651123160

The absence of sales during the years 1644–46, and the small number disposed of in 1641–3, may be accounted for by the following entry in the Parish Register:—

1647. The Regester of the Towne and Burrough of Barnestaple, by the cause of the troubles and the contagion [plague] was not kept from the year anno 1642 till the year anno 1647.

The following prices were realized for cattle sold at the various fairs mentioned above:—

8 heifers, black like, price £30 10s. 0d.

2 black oxen, topp cutt on farther eare. Price £13.

2 heifers and 1 steward. Price £6 13s. 4d.

1 red ox. Price £4 3s. 4d.