ALCESTER’S country market was assized last Saturday, May 12, by members of the town’s Court Leet.
After the Magna Carta was signed in 1215 a system of weights and measurements came and assizing was a medieval form of trading standards.
It was introduced into Alcester when it became a market town in 1297 during the reign of Edward 1.
Today, more than 800 years later, the Court Leet is still policing these traditions into the 21st century.
The market was tested on their leather goods, home baked bread and handmade sausage rolls.
After all these were rigorously tested – and for the bread and sausage rolls, tasted too – Clare Hill, market manager, was questioned about the character of the producers and their methods.
Thankfully all passed with flying colours.
The market was duly issued with certificates signed by the High Bailiff, Flesh Taster, Sealer of Leather and Bread Weigher to prove their goods are ‘wholesome and fit and human consumption’ also a sprig of evergreen was added for the benefit of customers unable to read (a custom going back hundreds of years).
Alcester Country Market, which features a range of bread, sausage rolls, cakes, pies, jams,marmalades and much more it’s open every Friday from 8am to 1pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.
As well as handmade leather handbags and belts we also sell a wide range of other handmade crafts. Also home grown vegetable, flowers, plants and vegetable plants.
