August 1491

Concerning every ship loaded with coal or salt, to the volume of 10 weys of salt or more, that hereafter is bought within the liberties of the town by any burgess of the town or by some other man not resident in the town, the bailiffs shall have a proclamation made around the town about the sale of such coal and salt, with the intent that members of the community may claim part of it for their own use, at the same price for which it was [originally] bought; [such claims may] extend up to the amount of one-quarter of the coal and salt, without the [original] buyer taking any profit therefrom. If it is proven that any man acts contrary to any point of this ordinance, he shall pay 40s. fine, half to the profit of the town and half to the profit of the bailiffs, without any remission.