The Dawn of American History in Europe

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 Excerpt: ...and dear, the town tried to prevent such goods from being shipped away by placing on them a tax called an export tax. Or they made such trade unlawful. Thus, No butcher, or wife of a butcher, shall sell tallow or lard to a strange person for carrying to the parts beyond the sea; by reason of the great dearness and scarcity that has been thereof in the city of late. Fairs.--In addition to their market days once or twice a week, the towns had fairs, which occurred once a year, and sometimes oftener. To these fairs, traders and merchants came long distances, even from other countries. The fair grew up under the protection of some feudal lord or abbot, or possibly a bishop, who was to have the taxes collected here. The fairs were usually held just outside the town limits in an open field. The owner of the fair built wooden booths or stalls in long rows, and, as the merchants came, they were given places according to the country that they came from, or the kind of goods that they had to sell. While the fair was going on, all buying and selling was forbidden in the near-by towns. Tolls were collected for the lord on all goods brought in or taken out of the grounds. Rent was also paid for the booths and for the use of the lord's weights and scales. A court was held on the grounds to settle disputes and to enforce honest dealing. Fairs Encourage Social Life.--People came to these fairs for pleasure as well as for business. There were side shows of all kinds--wild animals, trained dogs, musicians, actors and clowns, dancing and gambling halls. There was a chance to turn a penny dishonestly as well as honestly. They often lasted several weeks, and then the merchants packed up and trudged away to some other fair. At last the gree...