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| | The Broughton Charter
The
Broughton Charter was granted to the town (not village!) by Elizabeth I in 1575
to enable three fairs or markets to be held each year. The Charter is read out
by the Lord of the Manor on the 1st August and pennies are thrown to local
children from the Obelisk in the Square. The
original wording and spelling of the charter is used, as follows:
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Hinri, Erle off Darbie, Lord Stanley and Straunge, Lord of Man &
thiles, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, straitlye chargethe &
commaundethe, on the Quens Maiesties behalfe, that all manner of men reparying
unto this Faire and Markethe do beare & kepe the Quens Peace, upon paine off
Cs., to be forfett to the Lordes use, & ther bodyes to prisone during my
Lordes pleasure.
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Allso, that no maner of men within this Faire or Markethe do beare anye
bill, battell axe, or suche prohibited weapons, but such as be appointed by my
Lord, or his officers to kepe this presente Faire, upon paine of forfiture of
their weapons, and there bodyes to prisone durying my Lordes pleasure.
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Allso, that no man do pick any quarrell, matter or cause for any old
grudge or malice, to make any perturbation or trouble within this Present Faire
or Markett, durying the tyme therof, upon paine of Cs., to be forfett to my
Lordes use, & there bodyes to prison durying my Lordes pleasure.
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Allso, that no maner of person within this Faire or Markett do by or
sell with unlowfull mettes or measures, yeardes or weyghtes, but suche as be
lawfull & just, & kepe the trew assyse, upon Paine of forfiture of all
suche wares or merchandise as ar so bought or sould, & further imprisonment
of ther bodyes.
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Allso, that none shall bye or sell in corners, backsides, or hide
places, but in open Faire or Markett, upon paine of forfiture of all suche
goodes or catteles so bought and sould, and there bodyes to prisone.
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And lastlye, iff anie maner of persons do find them grewed for any
matter or cause, or have anye injurye or wrong committed or done unto them
within this Faire or Markett, let them come unto my Lordes officer, & they
shal be harde, according to ryght, equitye and justice.
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God save the Quen & my Lord.
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