FAIRES AND MARKETTS. 115 



Henry Millburne, Esq. Recorder of Monmouth. [The reason assigned is, that Mr. Millburne 

 " encouraged badgars " to take corn from Monmouthshire to Bristol ; whereupon the bakers there, 

 finding the Welsh corn was better, and could be more cheaply conveyed to them than that grown 

 in Wiltshire, forsook Warminster Market J. B.] 



My bayliff, an ancient servant to our family, assures me that, about 1644, six quarters of wheat 

 would stand, as they terme it, Hindon Market, which is now perhaps the second best market after 

 Warminster in this county. 



I have heard old men say long since that the market at Castle Combe was considerable in the 

 time of the staple : the market day is Munday. Now only some eggs and butter, &c. 



Maryborough Market is Saturday: one of the greatest markets for cheese in the west of 

 England. Here doe reside factors for the cheesemongers of London. 



King Edgar granted a charter to Steeple Ashton. [Aubrey has transcribed the charter at length, 



from the original Latin. J. B.] The towne was burnt about the yeare , before which 



time it was a market-town ; but out of the ashes of this sprang up the market at Lavington, which 

 flourisheth still. [Lavington market has long been discontinued in consequence of its vicinity to the 

 Devizes, which has superior business attractions. J. B.] 



At Highworth was the greatest market, on Wednesday, for fatt cattle in our county, which was 

 furnished by the rich vale ; and the Oxford butchers furnished themselves here. In the late civill 

 warres it being made a garrison for the King, the graziers, to avoid the rudeness of the souldiers, 

 quitted that market, and went to Swindon, four miles distant, where the market on Munday 

 continues still, which before was a petty, inconsiderable one. Also, the plague was at Highworth 

 before the late warres, which was very prejudiciall to the market there ; by reason whereof all the 

 countrey sent their cattle to Swindown market, as they did before to Highworth. 



Devises. On Thursday a very plentifull market of every thing : but the best for fish in the 

 county. They bring fish from Poole hither, which is sent from hence to Oxford. 



[At this place in Aubrey's manuscript is another " digression ; " being " Remarks taken from 

 Henry Milburne, Esq. concerning Husbandly, Trade, &c. in Herefordshire." J. B.] 



