20 May 1363

The community agreed that all burgesses who act as hosts shall have from their guests one-sixth of any merchandise they bring to the town, except for kippered herring, pickled herring, fresh herring, fresh salmon, or other fresh fish, of which they shall have one-third, on condition they (nor anyone on their behalf) not buy anything further from the guests through fraud or collusion, contrary to the interests of the community, nor that the hosts conceal any of the merchandise their guests bring. The [visiting] merchant is to be allowed to sell his merchandise openly both within the community and elsewhere. Salmon or other victuals of which the third part is allowed to the hosts may not be bought or delivered before sunrise or after sundown. Any host convicted of infringing any of these points shall lose the profit from hosting for a year afterwards and shall pay a fine to the community.

[That the borough persevered in enforcing this ordinance – which brought it a source of revenue – is evidenced by the case of Philip Frank who, in 1430, was reprimanded by the corporation for taking one-third of the share of a herring cargo of an outsider to whom he was host; he was instructed to take only one-sixth part, according to custom.]