[1581/10/79]¹

Ratification of the Seinzie Fair² of St Andrews

Our sovereign lord and three estates of parliament, understanding that the provost, bailies, council and community of the city of St Andrews and their predecessors have been in use and possession of a public fair and market, called the Seinzie Fair, beginning upon the Monday after Easter Monday yearly and continuing to the space of 15 days next thereafter, within the said city and cloister of the abbey, situated within the same, in all times bygone, past memory of man, by the which fair our said sovereign lord's lieges have great commodity both by buying and selling of all kind of wares; therefore our said sovereign lord, with advice of the three estates aforesaid, has ratified and approved and, by the tenor hereof, ratifies, approves and confirms the aforesaid privilege of the said market and fair to the said provost, bailies, council and community and their successors to be yearly held within the said cloister of the aforesaid abbey for the said space of 15 days, beginning as said is, according to the old custom and use observed thereupon of before, and to their said privilege in all points etc., and ordains letters to be directed to make publication hereof, if need be.