August 1491

During fishing season, when English fishermen come to the quay with herring, each fisherman shall come ashore to his host; and that host shall sensibly and wisely buy his herring for the best [bargain] that can be achieved, as much for the benefit of the community as for himself. If it happens that they cannot agree on a price, and the fishermen quits his host with the intent of obtaining from another man a higher price than the current market price, it is ordained that no man shall involve himself in any way nor offer to buy the herring of a fisherman who has quit his host, unless the host permits and consents to it. Of all such herring bought by a host, he is honestly to make available to the community its share, by assignment of the wardens; viz. half of all fresh herring that are brought to the quay. The community shall take its share both of old herring and new, paying for them the same price at which the host bought them, without the host scheming to take any profit. If any man, no matter what his status, presumes to act contrarily to any aspect of this ordinance, and is found guilty in that respect, he shall pay a fine of 20s. to the profit of the town each time he is found in default, to be levied by the bailiffs within 3 days – or else he is to be sent to prison, there to remain until the fine is paid without any remission.