Legal Definitions - bord-halfpenny

Bord-halfpenny (also known as bothagium) was a historical payment, typically a small sum of money or goods, made to a feudal lord or landowner. This payment granted an individual the right to set up a temporary booth, stall, or shelter, usually for the purpose of selling goods or conducting business, at a market, fair, or other designated public space. It was essentially a form of rent for a temporary commercial space, common in medieval and early modern Europe.

• Example 1: A Traveling Merchant at a Fair

  Imagine a traveling merchant in 15th-century England who specializes in selling fine silks and exotic spices. As he journeys from town to town, he seeks out large annual fairs to sell his wares. Upon arriving at the bustling market square of a new town, he wishes to erect his wooden stall to display his goods. To do so, he would pay a bord-halfpenny to the local lord or the lord's steward. This payment secured his temporary spot within the market grounds and granted him the legal right to trade during the duration of the fair.

• Example 2: A Local Artisan at a Weekly Market

  Consider a village potter who creates unique earthenware. She wants to sell her pots, bowls, and jugs at the weekly market held in the nearby town square, which is owned by the local baron. Each market day, or perhaps on a seasonal basis, she would pay a bord-halfpenny to the baron's representative. This payment allowed her to set up her simple booth, spread out her wares on a cloth, and offer them for sale to the townspeople and visitors, contributing to her livelihood.

• Example 3: A Farmer Selling Produce at a Harvest Festival

  During the annual autumn harvest festival, a farmer from the surrounding lands wishes to sell his surplus produce—pumpkins, apples, and sacks of grain—directly to consumers. He needs to secure a space in the bustling market area designated for the festival. By paying a bord-halfpenny to the lord of the manor, he gained the temporary privilege to set up his cart and display his harvest for sale, participating in the vibrant commerce of the event and reaching a wider customer base than he might otherwise.