Here is made known in this writing how King Edgar renewed the liberty
of Taunton, for the Holy Trinity and St. Peter and St. Paul, to the
episcopal see of Winchester, as King Edward had before freed it, ...;
and let the town's market and the produce of the town-dues go to the
holy place, as they did before, in the days of my forefathers, and were
levied for Bishop Aelfeah and every one of those who enjoyed the land.
Whoever will increase this liberty, may God increase his prosperity in
a long life here and in eternity. But if any, through audacity and the
instigation of the devil and his limbs, will violate this liberty or
pervert it to another, unless ere his departure hence he make
reparation, be he with malediction cut off from the communion of our
Lord and all his saints, and ever be tormented in hell torture, with
Judas who was Christ's betrayer.
Thorpe, _Diplomatarium Anglicium Aevi Saxonici_, 235.
_Circa 901-21. Law of Edward and Guthrum._
If any man engage in Sunday marketing, let him forfeit the chattel, and
twelve ores among the Danes, and thirty shillings among the English.
Thorpe, _Ancient Laws and Institutes_, 73.
_Circa 1020. Charter of Canute._
We admonish that men keep Sunday's festival with all their might, and
observe it from Saturday's noon to Monday's dawning; and no man be so
bold that he either go to market or seek any court on that holy day.
Stubbs, _Select Charters_, 76.
_N.B.--These latter enactments were chiefly distinguished by their
breach, for throughout the middle ages English markets were frequently
held on Sunday. They were probably abortive attempts on the part of
pious legislators to end a custom which seemed to them ungodly._