Legal Definitions - corrector of the staple

A corrector of the staple was a historical official, essentially a specialized clerk, responsible for meticulously recording commercial transactions conducted by merchants within a designated market town known as a "staple." These staples were specific locations where certain goods, often raw materials like wool or tin, were legally required to be brought for sale, inspection, and taxation, particularly before export. The corrector's records served to document ownership, facilitate tax collection, and provide official proof of sales, thereby ensuring order and transparency in trade.

• Example 1: The Wool Merchant's Sale

  In 14th-century England, a wool merchant named Eleanor brings several sacks of raw wool to the designated staple town of Calais (a key English possession at the time) to sell to a Flemish buyer. The corrector of the staple at Calais would meticulously record the details of this transaction: the quantity of wool, the agreed price, the identities of both Eleanor and the Flemish buyer, and the date of the sale. This official record would then be used to calculate any applicable taxes or duties and to provide legal proof of the transaction.

• Example 2: The Tin Trader's Register

  Imagine a Cornish tin producer, Arthur, transporting his refined tin to the staple town of Exeter, where all tin destined for export or major domestic markets had to be sold. When Arthur sells a significant consignment of tin to a merchant from London, the local corrector of the staple would enter this sale into the official register. This entry would detail the weight and quality of the tin, the purchase price, and the names of both Arthur and the London merchant, creating a verifiable record for taxation purposes and to prevent illicit trade.

• Example 3: Resolving a Dispute over Hides

  Two merchants, Isabella and Robert, are involved in a disagreement over the exact number of cured animal hides that were part of a transaction at the Bristol staple several months prior. Isabella claims she delivered more than Robert paid for. To resolve this, they would consult the official records maintained by the corrector of the staple. The corrector's detailed entry for their specific transaction, noting the quantity and type of hides exchanged, would serve as the definitive evidence to settle their dispute, highlighting the importance of these records for legal and commercial certainty.