Fairs, markets and Piepowder Courts

This is my latest book: 

Imagine arriving at a great medieval fair. The roads are crowded with merchants, pilgrims, farmers, entertainers and travellers. Livestock fills the streets, traders shout their wares, musicians perform for passing crowds and goods from distant parts of England and Europe are offered for sale. Somewhere among the stalls sits a small court dispensing swift justice to those who have quarrelled over debts, contracts or theft. This was the world of the English fair and the Court of Piepowder.

We first give an overview of the development of England's trading interaction - the markets, festivals and fairs that brought people together from the earliest times to the medieval period. Then we describe the Piepowder Courts - those systems of rapid judgements on false traders, and acts of misbehaviour and violence during the markets and fairs and the punishments that followed.

We also describe languages used, policing and legal aspects of Piepowder - and the violence than can emerge when too many people with opposing views are packed together. Lastly, we give details of specific incidents at these trading events, including murder, fire-starting, theft and fraud.

Our book is a cornucopia of facts that may lead to the reader undertaking more in-depth research.