Extracts Relating to Mediaeval Markets and Fairs in England

To Almighty God, true Unity and holy Trinity in heaven, be praise and glory and rendering of thanks, for all his benefits bestowed upon us. Firstly for whose love and for St. Peter's and the church at Worcester, and at the request of Werfrith the bishop, their friend, Aethelraed the ealdorman, and Aethelflaed commanded the burh at Worcester to be built, and eke God's praise to be there upraised. And now they make known by this charter that of all the rights which appertain to their lordship, both in market and in street, within the byrg and without, they grant half to God and St. Peter and the lord of the church; that those who are in the place may be the better provided, that they may thereby in some sort easier aid the brotherhood, and that this remembrance may be the firmer kept in mind, in the place, as long as God's service is done within the minster. And Werfrith, the bishop, and his flock have appointed this service before the daily one, both during their lives and after, to sing at matins, vespers, and undernsong the psalmDe Profundis, during their lives, and after their death Laudate Dominum; and a mass for them whether alive or dead. Aethelraed and Aethelflaed proclaim that they have thus granted with goodwill to God and St. Peter, under witness of Aelfred the king and all the witan in Mercia; … as for … wohcéapung, and all the customs from which any fine may arise, let the lord of the church have half of it, for God's sake and St. Peter's, as it was arranged about the markets and the streets; and without the market-place let the bishop enjoy his rights, as of old our predecessors decreed and privileged. Aethelread and Aethelflaed did this by witness of Aelfred the king, and by witness of those witan of the Mercians whose names stand written hereafter, and in the name of God Almighty they abjure all their successors never to diminish these alms which they have granted to the church for God's love and St. Peter's.