a greater kind of market, granted to a town, by privilege, for the more speedy and commodious providing of such things as the place stands in need of. See MARKET.

It is incident to a fair, that persons shall be free from being arrested in it for any other debt contracted than what was contracted in the same; or, at least, promised to be paid there. These fairs are generally kept once or twice a year, and, by statute, they shall not be held longer than they ought, by the lords thereof, on pain of their being seized into the king's hands, &c. Also proclamation is to be made how long they are to continue; and no person shall sell any goods after the time of the fair is ended, on forfeiture of double the value, one fourth to the prosecutor, and the rest to the king. There is a toll usually paid in fairs, on the sale of things, and for stallage, picage, &c. See TOLL.