posted 09-13-2004 04:24 AM            

Most early markets and fairs in the UK were established by the grant of a royal charter.

Typically they were, "granted by the Crown as a reward to barons and landowners for services rendered to the Sovereign. The grant of a Royal Charter to a landowner was of great value as the landowner was allowed to charge rents and tolls to those sellers attending the markets and, most importantly, it gave protection to the holder of the charter from disturbance by other market operators. This protection still exists as, under common law, the holder of a market charter is entitled to take action against any rival market operator who opens a market or attempts to open a market within 6 and 2/3 miles of its charter market."

Quote from: http://www.warrington.gov.uk/entertainment/heritage/market.htm

For a wonderful site on mediaeval town history, which includes several towns such as York and Colchester (towns which had markets within their defensive walls) take a look at:
http://www.trytel.com/~tristan/towns/towns.html

For a bibliography about mediaeval fairs and market places: http://www.the-orb.net/wales/mtib/mtb08.htm

Here is a list and description of all market towns in England and Wales to 1516: http://www.history.ac.uk/cmh/gaz/gazweb2.html

Markets before 1216: http://www.dur.ac.uk/r.h.britnell/articles/Earlymarkets.htm

Hope this gets you started.

Levan