408 Readings in European History This city paid at that time of ferm forty-five pounds and three bundles of martens' skins. The third part belonged to the earl, and two to the king. When Earl Hugh received it, it was worth only thirty pounds, for it was much wasted. There were 205 fewer houses there than there had been in the time of King Edward. Now there are just as many there as he found. When the king or lord granted a charter to a town which had grown up on his land, he usually explicitly legalized the guild of merchants, the members of which enjoyed the monopoly of the right to carry on trade. He then ratified, in whole or in part, the customs of the town, which were not however enumerated in detail. These documents are consequently usually short. Henry, by the grace of God King of England, Duke of Nor- mandy and Aquitaine, Count of Anjou, to the Bishop of Lin- coln, justiciars, sheriffs, barons, officers, and all his faithful, French and English, of Lincoln, greeting: Know that I have conceded to my citizens of Lincoln all their liberties and customs and laws, which they had in the time of Edward and William and Henry, kings of England; and their guild merchant of the men of the city and of other merchants of the county, just as they had it in the time of our aforesaid predecessors, kings of England, best and most freely. Ralph, Earl of Chester, to his constable and steward, and to all his barons and bailiffs, and to all his men, French and English, as well to come as at present, greeting: Let it be known to all of you that I have given and con- ceded, and by this my present charter confirmed to all my citizens of Chester, their guild merchant, with all liberties and free customs which they have had in the aforesaid guild, best, most freely and most peacefully in the times of my predecessors. And I forbid under forfeiture to me
