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The Woollen Industry

Markets and Rough Justice

Market days continued to pull great crowds of people not only to shop but to hear news and see justice done. Some people convicted of a crime had their sentences carried out on market days when there was sure to be a good crowd.

According to records, one man who was accused of stealing sheep worth ten pennies was to be 'whipped on Monday next in Market Tyme'.

Another who admitted to stealing chickens, was put in stocks 'with feathers pricked in his apparel'. Although having a crowd made it worse for the offender, it caused great excitement for the people watching.