1328-05-06, Northampton

Commission of oyer and terminer to John de Stonore, Ralph de Bereford, JTfenry le Gulden and Robert de Hungerford, on complaint by John, bishop of Winchester, that John le Devenisshe, Robert de Froille, Robert Giffard, William le Poleter, William le Couk, William Bolthond, Ralph de Farnham, Jvhn Gabriel, William Gabricl, Master Ralph de Mallyngg, Ranulph le Skynnere, Thomas de Holputte, Nicholas de Shir-felde, Robert Dolisely, Walter Russel, John Wyke, Ralph Fraunceys, William de Marlebergh, William Ide, and others, prevented the exercise of the bishop's liberties and the collection of his tolls at his fair held on St. Giles's Hill, outside Win- . Parr I. 293 chester. This fair was held for sixteen days from the eve of St. Giles. About sunrise on that day the bishop's justices of the pavilion (justiciarii pavilonis) received from the mayor and bailiffs the kevs of the south and west gates, to which they appointed guards, and also the woolbeam. After proclamation prohibiting sales within seven leagues except at the fair, the mayor and bailiffs delivered to the justices the keys and custody of the north and east gates, accompunied them to the pavilion on St. Giles's Hill and then returned home. From that time the justices had the keeping of the city ; the cognisance of pleas of trespass, debt and contract for seven leagues round ; and the nomination of townsmen or strangers to act as mayor and bailiffs to execute their summons, distraints and attachments, wherein the aldermen were bound to assist in their aldermanries. No merchant could trade or open a stall, and no pedlar open his pack without paying a fine to the bishop. The justices selected victuallers, bakers, butchers and fishmongers, receiving from them an oath to supply good victuals, and in default to lose their victuals and be fined. They tested measures, balances and weights, burning false ones, and exacting fines. No person not in the Gild Merchant of the city cou'd enter the city with goods after the Nativity of the Virgiu without paying a fine. The justices also tasted the wine in the taverns of the city, throwing away bad wine, and exacting finea. The bishop's coroner acted during the fair. Cordwainers, cobblers and other craftsmen were forbidden to sell their wares except in the fair, on pain of forfeiture. Tlie bishop received also the fines for breaking the assise of bread and ale, and exacted stated tolls at the gates for firewood, conl, corn, hay, straw and other goods. Goods sent collusively by merchants to citizens or others were forfeited. By K.