Wolverhampton's Market Charter
There is record of Wolverhampton market in the fifth of King John, 1204 which was held on the Sunday, and afterwards changed to Wednesday.
The Charter of Henry III, which may be considered the legal commencement of the market, we are glad to be able to subjoin a translation of.
Translation of the Wolverhampton Charter to Hold a Market and Fair
HENRY III. by the Grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy, and Aquitaine and Count Andeley,
To Archbishops , Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Counts, Barons, Justices, Viscounts , Governors, Ministers, all his liege and faithful subjects sendeth greeting.
Know ye that we have granted, and by this our Charter have confirmed to our beloved and trusty Giles de Erdington, Dean of Wolverhampton, that he and his successors, the Deans of the same place, may for ever hold one Market every week on Wednesday, in the county of Stafford, and that they may hold in the same place one Fair every year, to continue for eight days (viz) one the eve and on the day of the Apostles Peter and Paul and six days following, unless that Market and Fair to be the damage of the neighbouring traders and neighbouring Fairs. Wherefore we will and strictly command, in behalf of ourselves and our heirs, that the aforesaid Giles, Dean of Wolverhampton, and his successors, the Deans of the same place, may for ever have one Market day in each week on Wednesday, in Wolverhampton, in the county of Stafford, and that they may have in the same place one Fair in each year, to continue for eight days, that is to say, on the eve and on the day Apostles Peter and Paul and six following days, with all liberties and free customs to such Market and Fair belonging, unless to the damage of traders and neighbouring Fairs as is aforesaid.
Witnessed by:
Dated with our hand at Westminster, the fourth day of February, in the forty-second year of reign.
Anno Domini 1258.