EFFECT OF THE CONQUEST.

In Domesday Book there is evidence of a considerable number of markets which had existed in England under Edward the Confessor, and which usually yielded to their holders an annual profit of from 20s. to 40s., in those days large sums of money. New markets were in some cases established by the Norman lords who acquired English lands, and they tended to disorganise the market economy.

1087. The ruin of the bishop's market at St. Germans.

The bishop has a lordship called St. Germans. In that lordship, on the day on which King Edward lived and died, there was a market held on Sunday. And now it is made nothing by the market set up close at hand by the count of Mortain in his castle, on the same day.

Exon. Domesday (Rec. Com.), 182, 470.

1087. Necessity to change the day of the market at Hoxne in Suffolk.

Ailmarus, the bishop, held Hoxne in the time of King Edward…. In this manor there was a market in the time of King Edward and afterwards. William the king came, and the market was held on Sunday. And William Malet made his castle at Eye; and on the same day on which there was a market in the bishop's manor, William Malet made another market in his castle, and that so much to the detriment of the bishop's market that this was of little worth. Now therefore it is held on Friday, but the market of Eye still takes place on Sunday.

Domesday (Rec. Com.), II. 379.

1087. Abolition of Launceston Market.

The canons of St. Stephen hold Launceston. Thence the count of Mortain has now taken a market, which was situated there in the days of King Edward, and which was worth 20s.

Domesday (Rec. Com.), I. 120b.

It appears always to have been the intention of the Government that markets and fairs should be held only in the stronger places of the country, where the just and peaceful transaction of business could be secured. Such a situation was in the later middle ages the rule, but that in an early period it was not universal appears from the existence of legislation on the subject.

1066-87. Law of William the Conqueror.

We forbid that any market or fair be held or suffered except in the cities of our realm and in the walled boroughs and in castles and in the safest places, where the customs of our realm, and our common right, and the dues of our crown, which were constituted by our good predecessors, cannot suffer loss nor fraud nor violation; for we will that all things be done with right forms and openly, and in accordance with judgment and with justice.

Thorpe, Ancient Laws and Institutes, 212.