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Wf)t ^txi)^ Compaup of lEercets. 



By H. Arnold-Bemrose, M.A., F.G.S. 



HR Magna Carta enacted that any merchants might buy 

 and sell in England free from all unjust imposts, but 

 some six centuries passed before all restrictions in 

 trading were removed throughout the kingdom. Not- 

 withstanding the provisions of the Magna Carta, liberties were 

 given and confirmed to certain towns, amongst which was the 

 right to a Gild Merchant. This was the exclusive right of trading 

 in the borough. Derby had a Gild Merchant previous to the 

 time of King John, for the Gild was confirmed by him, and 

 afterwards by Henry III. and Edward III. 



In 1330, the Burgesses of Derby were summoned to answer to 

 the king by what warrant they claimed certain liberties, amongst 

 which was the right to the Gild Merchant. According to the 

 enquiry then made, certain individuals were jointly united, and 

 asserted that they were of the Gild Merchant, and did not permit 

 others to be of the same Gild unless they satisfied them before- 

 hand [i.e., paid a satisfactory fine]. No one could come into 

 the town and sell his wares to anyone except to a member of 

 the said society, and this at the pleasure of the buyer. Foreign 

 merchants could only vend their merchandise wholesale, and 

 then only to one of the brethren. The profit arising therefrom 

 did not accrue to the advantage of the community of the towm 

 but only to that of the members of the society, and these usages 

 redounded to the injury, oppression, and pauperisation of the 

 people. By reason of the Gild Merchant no foreign merchant 

 could buy wholesale, wine, wool, woolfells, leather, or lead, from 

 any foreigner, except from members of the same Gild. The 

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