Appendix: Act of Common Council for Regulating the Markets for Woollen Goods

No. LI.

Act of Common-Council, for regulating the Markets for Woollen Goods at Blackwell-Hall, Leaden-Hall, and Welch-Hall. [See p. 242.]

THAT all Essex and Suffolk cloths, and all cloths commonly called Coventry cloths, Hampshire and Surry kerseys, and all sorts of Suffolk and Essex flannels, baize, perpetuanes, rashes, serges, and sayes, and all other commodities that go under the name of the new drapery, made or mixed with wool, worsted, jersey, or cruel, or with cotton-wool, or either or any of them, brought, or which shall be brought to the city of London, or liberties thereof, either by land or water, except Norwich and Canterbury stuffs, be brought unto, pitched, and harboured in Leaden-hall, there to remain till they be entered, and the duties of hallage herein after-mentioned paid, or agreed and secured to be paid for the same; which entry of the said cloths, or other woollen manufactures, brought, or to be brought as aforesaid to the said hall, shall be immediately made after such bringing the said commodities to the said hall, upon pain that every person that shall offend herein shall forfeit for his first offence the sum of fifty shillings, for his second offence four pounds nineteen shillings, and for every other offence the like sum of four pounds nineteen shillings: which cloth, cloths, and other woollen manufactures, or any of them, shall not from thence be removed to any other place out of this city, or liberties thereof, till after the three first market-days of their being brought to the said market, unless sold in the mean time, or removed and carried to be sold in any other market without the liberties of this city.

That all other sorts of broad and narrow cloths, by what name soever called, distinguished, or known, in what place soever made, and all other kerseys, baize, tammies, sayes, rashes, perpetuanes, serges, rugs, blankets, motleys, of what sort or nature soever, pennistones, half-thicks, plains, friezes, cottons, linsey-woolseys, stockings of all sorts, carpetings, and hangings of all sorts, sustians of all sorts, and all other commodities and manufactures made or mixed with wool, worsted, jersey, or cruel, or with cotton-wool, or either or any of them, brought, or which shall be brought to the city of London, and liberties thereof, either by land or water, be brought unto, pitched, and harboured in Blackwell-hall, and the Welch-hall, or one of them, there to remain till they be entered, and the duties of hallage herein after-mentioned also paid, or agreed and secured to be paid for the same; which entry of the said cloths, stuffs, and other woollen commodities, brought, or to be brought as aforesaid, to the said halls, or either of them, shall be immediately made after such bringing those commodities to the said halls, or any of them; upon pain that every person which shall offend herein shall forfeit for his first offence the sum of fifty shillings, for his second offence four pounds nineteen shillings, and for every other offence the like sum of four pounds nineteen shillings. Which cloth, cloths, and other woollen manufactures, or any of them, shall not from thence be removed to any other place out of this city, or liberties thereof, till after the three first market-days of their being brought to the said market, unless sold in the mean time, or removed and carried to be sold in any other market without the liberties of this city, except the cloth, cloths, and other commodities made or mixed with wool, worsted, jersey, or cruel, bought by any merchant, draper, or any other that are freemen of the said city, and inhabiting therein, (and not being a factor in that commodity) by pre-contract with the said clothier, which cloth, cloths, and other woollen manufactures, shall be brought to the hall appointed by this act to receive the same; which being done, the said cloths may be taken thence by the owners as soon as they please; and except such small parcels as being contracted for in the country by persons that have bought, or shall buy, the same for their own private use or wearing, and not to sell again; and except such cloths and other woollen manufactures, as, having received damage, by wet or otherwise upon the road, shall require drying or new dressing before they can be fit for sale.

And that no person or persons whatsoever, free or not free of this city, shall, at any time or times hereafter, buy, sell, or barter any of the aforesaid cloths, or any other the commodities aforesaid, or shall permit or suffer them, or any of them to be sold, bartered, or put to sale, or opened to be put to sale, within any part of his or their houses, yards, inns, stables, chambers, shops, warehouses, or workhouses, or other place or places within the said city, or liberties thereof, before the same be brought, pitched, and harboured within some of the said publick markets of Blackwell-hall, Welch-hall, or Leaden-hall, respectively, appointed as aforesaid, and therein sold, or from thence removed and carried to be sold in some other market without the liberties of this city, or shall buy, sell, or barter, or permit any of the said commodities, which shall at any time hereafter be taken out of any the said markets of Blackwell-hall, Welch-hall, or Leaden-hall, (before the same shall be there bought and sold as aforesaid) to be bought, sold, bartered, or put to sale, or opened to be put to sale, in any of his or their inns, yards, houses, stables, or any part thereof, as aforesaid, within the said city, and liberties thereof, other than in any of the said markets of Blackwell-hall, Leaden-hall, or Welch-hall, appointed as aforesaid, (except as is before excepted.)

And that neither factor nor broker belonging to Blackwell-hall or Leaden-hall, although a freeman of this city, so long as he is in the capacity of a factor or broker for foreigners, during his being so, shall buy any of the said cloth, cloths, kerseys, baize, fustians, or other commodities aforesaid, within the said markets or market-places aforesaid, on pain that every such person, who shall offend herein, shall forfeit and lose for the first offence three pounds, for the second offence four pounds nineteen shillings, and for every other offence the like sum of four pounds nineteen shillings.

Provided, that neither such factor nor broker, being a freeman of this city, shall by this act be restrained from buying any sort of cloth, cloths, or other woollen manufactures aforesaid, within the said markets or market-places, within the hours hereafter limited, which he himself doth not sell, so that the same be transported beyond the seas upon his own account.

And further, that all persons, as well carriers as cloth-men, or clothiers, and others, shall, at the bringing of their cloth, cloths, and other woollen manufactures, either by land or water, to this city or liberties thereof as aforesaid, bring, or cause to be brought to Blackwell-hall, Leaden-hall, or Welch-hall, respectively, such of them as by this act are appointed to be brought thither respectively, to the end they may be entered, and the duties paid for the same; upon pain of twenty shillings for every pack of cloth, cloths, or other commodities, to be forfeited and paid by every such carrier, cloth-man, clothier, or others, for every offence to the contrary, and for every single cloth, or other woollen commodities, the piece ten shillings.

And further, that the markets at the aforesaid Blackwell-hall, Leaden-hall, and Welch-hall, shall be and begin on every Thursday, between the twenty-fifth day of March and the twentyninth day of September, at eight of the clock in the forenoon, and continue till eleven of the clock in the same forenoon, and between the twenty-ninth day of September and the twenty-fifth day of March, at nine of the clock in the forenoon, and continue till eleven of the clock in the same forenoon; and on every Thursday at one of the clock in the afternoon, and continue till four of the clock in the same afternoon; and on every Friday at eight of the clock in the forenoon, and continue till eleven of the clock in the same forenoon; and shall begin in the afternoon of the same Friday at one of the clock, and shall continue till four of the clock in the same afternoon; and shall begin on every Saturday at eight of the clock in the forenoon, and shall continue till eleven of the clock in the same forenoon; and that the said hours for the beginning and ending of the said market-times shall be known by the ringing of the market-bells in the halls aforesaid, appointed for that use and purpose; and the same to be held and continued weekly throughout the whole year, except days of humiliation or thanksgiving, appointed to be otherwise set apart by act of parliament, or publick authority; and that the respective hall-keepers shall not permit or suffer any buying or selling of any the aforesaid woollen cloths or commodities in or at any of the said halls in or upon any other days or hours than on the market-days and hours appointed.

And further, that the respective hall-keepers, clerks, and master-porters of every the halls aforesaid, shall take care that all the rules and orders, appointed to be observed by this act, in every branch of it be carefully put in execution; and shall also diligently and faithfully keep their books and weekly registers of all the cloths and woollen commodities aforesaid bought and sold in any of the said halls, or brought and pitched there; in which books and registers they and every of them, as they are concerned in their respective halls, shall truly enter the names of baptism, surnames, place of habitation, and addition, both of the owner, buyer, and seller of every of the said commodities; to the end all clothiers, their factors, and others concerned, may be satisfied how their cloths and other woollen commodities are disposed of from time to time; and if any hall-keeper, clerk, or master-porter, shall refuse or neglect to perform his duty herein, for the first offence he shall forfeit twenty shillings, for his second offence forty shillings, and for his third offence be discharged from his office.

And further, that the hall-keepers of every the halls aforesaid for the time being, shall attend in their respective markets in their gown, and hinder all foreigners and aliens from coming into the said markets; upon pain that every hall-keeper that shall fail in his duty herein, shall forfeit for his first offence twenty shillings, for his second offence forty shillings, and for his third offence be discharged from his office.

And further, that every freeman of this city that shall introduce any foreigner or stranger into any of the aforesaid markets, to buy or make inspection into any of the aforesaid commodities, shall for his first offence forfeit and pay the sum of five pounds, and for his second offence the sum of ten pounds, and for his third offence the sum of twenty pounds; and, if any such freemen shall again offend in the like manner, then upon his conviction thereof in the king's majesty's court, holden within the Guildhall of this city, before the lord-mayor and aldermen of the same city for the time being, he and they shall stand and be utterly disfranchised, as unworthy members of this city, and shall not be readmitted but by order and consent of common council.

And that every factor who shall, either himself, or by his servant, knowingly sell any of the commodities aforesaid, in any of the common markets before-mentioned, to any foreigner or foreigners, or for his or their use, (except to such persons as by act of parliament are allowed) that every such factor so selling the same, whether a freeman or foreigner, shall for his first offence forfeit and pay one third part of the real value of every piece of woollen commodity so sold to foreigner or foreigners.

And further, that every hall-keeper of the several halls aforesaid respectively do and shall, within fourteen days next after the publishing of this act, present a note in writing to the president, treasurer, and governors of Christ's Hospital, of the names and surnames of all persons who then take upon them to be and to act and deal as factors and brokers in any of the said halls respectively, and shall likewise hereafter, from time to time, at every three months end, make like certificate in writing to the said governors, of the names and surnames of all factors or brokers, or such as take upon them to act as factors or brokers in either of the said halls respectively, together with the offence or offences by them or any of them committed, contrary to this act, or any other orders made for the good government of the said halls, upon pain that every hall-keeper, wilfully neglecting to do his duty herein, shall for his first offence forfeit the sum of three pounds, and for his second offence be dismissed from his place or employment of hall-keeper.

And that, for the observation of this act and all the parts thereof, there be every year six able, experienced freemen, dealers in those commodities, surveyors, chosen by the president and governors of Christ's Hospital at the next court to be holden after the second day of February next ensuing, and so yearly from year to year; whose office shall be, by themselves, or such others as they shall think fit to use for their assistance, to enquire of all abuses and offences against this act, and any two of them to present the same to the said court from time to time, as often as they shall find cause, that so due punishment may be inflicted upon the offenders.

And further, that the ensuing rates, and no other, shall be paid, demanded, and received of and from every the respective owner or owners, or his and their servant and agent, for the commodities hereafter mentioned, brought and to be brought to the several halls, or any of them, for the said hallage duty thereof, and for the entering, harbouring, and safe keeping thereof, from the time of their first pitching the three first market days, and no longer:

All broad cloths, of what kind or name soever, shall pay a piece for hallage one penny.

All broad rashes, twenty yards or above, two pence.

All kersey cottons, one penny.

All Devonshire, Wiltshire, and Dorsetshire baize shall pay for each piece one penny.

Dutch baize, the piece, three halfpence.

All other Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, and Minakin baize, by what name soever called, shall pay for each piece two pence.

All Yorkshire broad cloths, kerseys, cottons, and all other commodities made of wool, shall pay for the horse pack coming from those parts eight pence.

All Lancaster woollen wares, as broad cloths, kerseys, cottons, baize, penistones, friezes, and all other commodities made with wool, coming from those parts, the horse-pack eight pence.

All commodities coming from Wales, Salop, and any of those parts, commonly known by the names of Welch cottons, rolls, plains, baize, flannels, or friezes, shall pay for every horse-pack eight pence.

All flannels, venetians, wagmols, dimities, fustains, and bustins, made in England and Wales, shall pay for each horse-pack eight pence.

All stuffs, of what name or kind soever, made of wool, worsted, jersey, or cruel, or mixed with them, or any of them, the piece to pay one penny.

Bed rugs, or caddows for beds, being five breadths, or any of the same largeness, shall pay for every rug one penny.

For every rug of four breadths, or of the same largeness, an halfpenny.

For every rug of three breadths, or of the same largeness, a farthing.

Cradle rugs, for every two rugs a farthing.

Blankets, the dozen pair three halfpence.

Birdsey carpeting, Bristol carpeting, and all other sorts of carpeting and darnix, the piece, being twenty yards or more, two pence.

But, if the piece be less than twenty yards, one penny.

Carpets of needle-work or trent-work, for every carpet to pay one penny.

Coverlets, the horse-pack to pay eight pence.

If less than a horse-pack, every one an halfpenny.

Worsted stockings, the twenty pair shall pay two pence.

Yarn, being woollen, cruel, linnen, worsted, or jersey, every dozen pound shall pay one penny.

Bolters and bewpers, the dozen pieces one penny.

The single piece a farthing.

Darnix, narrow, for garments, the piece one penny.

Hair cloth, the piece an halfpenny.

Lindsey-woolsey broad, the piece one penny.

Narrow, the piece an halfpenny.

Loom-work for waistcoats and childrens coats an halfpenny.

Says, plained or milled, the piece one penny.

Every half piece of above thirty shillings price, or more, one penny.

But the half piece under thirty shillings price an halfpenny.

Serges of all sorts, the piece one penny.

Muckaddo ends, the dozen pounds one penny.

Cushions of all sorts, unstuffed and unbottomed, the dozen one penny.

Irish rugs, the hundred yards four pence.

Irish mantlets of all sorts, being made within this kingdom, twenty yards and upwards, to pay one penny.

Motleys for mariners, the piece an halfpenny.

Pedegny, the horse-pack eight pence.

Swadling-bands, the gross one penny.

Woollen stockings, for every three dozen one penny.

All which duties of hallage are to be, from time to time, employed for and towards the maintenance of the poor children harboured in Christ's Hospital.

And further, that if any owner or owners of the commodities aforesaid, or his or their servant, shall refuse to pay, agree, or secure to pay the hallage before-mentioned, at the first pitching of the same at any of the halls aforesaid, he shall forfeit and pay for such his refusal six shillings and eight pence for every cloth, or any other single piece of woollen manufacture unpacked, and twenty shillings for every pack of cloth, cloths, or other woollen manufacture.

And further, that if the owner or owners of any the aforesaid commodities, or his or their servant, cannot, within the time and space of the three first market-days next after the bringing of them to the said respective markets, sell all the cloth, cloths, or other woollen manufactures brought to Blackwell-hall, Leaden-hall, or the aforesaid Welch-hall, then it shall be lawful for the said owner or owners, or his or their servant by his appointment, to remove any of the said commodities, which shall remain unsold after the said market-days are over, to any other market or markets forth of this city and liberties thereof, or otherwise to dispose of them as they shall think fit.

And that what cloth, cloths, or other woollen manufacture, shall remain in any of the halls or market-places, or store-houses in Blackwell-hall aforesaid, after the three first market-days, if the owner or owners do not remove the same to some other place or market forth of this city, but will continue them to be lodged and safe kept therein, that then the owner or owners of any such cloth, cloths, or other woollen manufactures aforesaid, their factor or servant, shall pay for the lodging and safe keeping of the said commodities half so much every week as was the rate of their hallage at first pitching (under penalty of five shillings for every neglect or refusal upon demand) which money is likewise to go for and towards the relief of the poor children harboured in Christ's Hospital, and to defray the charges of officers that must of necessity be imployed therein, and repairs of the said halls. Provided, that this extend not to Devonshire packs, for which consideration is paid at the first pitching; nor to Yorkshire packs, Kidderminster stuffs, serges, Welch cottons, plains, or flannels, in Blackwell-hall, and the Welch hall, nor to any bays or says at Leaden-hall, nor to cloths lodged in any private store-houses or ware-houses, for which an annual rent is paid to the said hospital.

And that no common porter, or any other person or persons whatsoever, (except the clothier, or his factor, in his or their own person) shall be admitted to carry any of the commodities aforesaid out of or from the said Blackwell-hall, Leaden-hall, or the Welch-hall, or any of the rooms adjoining thereunto (except such commodities as the clothier or his factor shall send out to be refreshed and prepared for sale by his cloth-worker or packer, for whom he will answer) but the same shall be carried out by the chief porters of Blackwell-hall, Leaden-hall, or the Welch-hall aforesaid (for the time being) or such as shall be appointed by the chief porters of Blackwell-hall, Leaden-hall, or the Welch-hall, as anciently it hath been accustomed, and for whom they shall be respectively responsible. And to the end, there may be no exaction of rates and prices for the carriage of the aforesaid commodities out of the said Blackwell-hall, Leaden-hall, or the Welch-hall, of any merchant, or other buyer or seller of the said commodities, otherwise than the rates hereafter mentioned, as are appointed for their several carriages, be it enacted and ordained by the authority aforesaid, That the several rates hereafter mentioned shall be fairly written in a table, and hung up in some publick place in each of the said halls, and that these rates, and no greater, shall or may be taken by the said porters, or by any other imployed by them: and, if any chief porter, or any imployed by them, shall exact and receive more than shall be expressed in such tables, he or they so offending shall forfeit ten times as much as shall be so received:

Imprimis, every Kentish whole cloth, or two half cloths, shall pay two pence.

Every long Worcester whole cloth, or two half cloths, shall pay one penny halfpenny.

Every long Gloucester whole cloth, or two half cloths, shall pay one penny halfpenny.

Every long Western whole cloth, or two half cloths, shall pay two pence.

Every Norfolk, Suffolk, or Essex cloth, one penny halfpenny.

Every Spanish cloth, one penny.

Northern dozen kerseys or cotton, the pack six pence.

Devonshire baize, for each piece one penny farthing.

Minakin baize, for each piece three pence.

All Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk baize one penny halfpenny.

All Welch wares, the horse-pack six pence.

All Manchester wares, the horse-pack six pence.

Blankets, twelve pair in a bundle three pence.

Rugs, for every score ten pence.

Stockings and varn, for every horse-pack of two hundred weight six pence.

All fustians and bustians, or dimities, the horse-pack of two hundred weight six pence.

And all other manufactures mentioned in this act, and not provided for in the table, shall pay for every horse pack of two hundred weight six pence.

And that it shall and may be lawful to and for the governors of Christ's-Hospital aforesaid, or any three of them, or hall keeper by their direction, from time to time, to regulate the aforesaid markets of the said Blackwell-hall, Leaden hall, and the Welch-hall, as to the standing of the clothier and factor in the said markets, having always regard to the clothier who sells in his own person, or his houshold servant, that he or they have always convenient room reserved in the said markets for the sale of the aforesaid commodities.

And that all and singular the pains, penalties, forfeitures, and sum and sums of money, duties, and other things whatsoever, which shall be forfeited, incurred, or due by virtue of this act, or by reason of any clause, branch, or article of the same, shall be obtained, levied by distress, or recovered, as the case shall require, either by action of debt, plaint, bill, or information, in the name of the chamberlain of the said city for the time being, in the king's majesty's court, holden in the chamber of the Guildhall, before the lord-mayor of the city of London, and aldermen of the same city for the time being: and the chamberlain of the said city for the time being, in all matters or things to be prosecuted by virtue of this present act against the offender or offenders, shall recover the ordinary costs of suit to be expended in or about the prosecution of them, or any of them. And, in case upon a trial a verdict shall pass for the defendant, or the plaintiff shall become nonsuit, or discontinue his suit; in every such case the defendant shall also recover his reasonable costs.

And that all pains, penalties, and forfeitures, to be had and recovered by virtue of this act for the regulating of Blackwell-hall, Leaden-hall, and the Welch hall, and other the premises as aforesaid, (the charges of suit for recovery thereof being first deducted) shall be divided into two equal parts; the one moiety thereof, together with the whole duties of hallage, to be paid unto the treasurer of Christ's Hospital for the time being, to be employed towards the maintenance of the poor children harboured and kept in the said hospital; and the other moiety to him or them that will sue for the same: any other act or ordinance of this court to the contrary thereof notwithstanding.