Sale of Horses Act 1588
| Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
(31 Eliz. 1) C A P. XII.
'W H E R E A S through most Counties of this Realm Horse-stealingis grown so common, as neither in Pastures or Closes, nor hardly in Stables, the same are to be in Safetyfrom stealing, which ensueth by the ready buying of the same by Horse-coursers and others, in some open Fairs or Markets far distant from the Owner, and with such Speed as the Owner cannot by Pursuit possibly help the same; (2) and sundry good Ordinances have heretofore been made touching the Manner of Selling and Tolling of Horses, Mares, Geldings and Colts in Fairs and Markets, which have not wrought so good Effect for the repressing or avoiding of Horse-stealing, as was expected:'
II. Now for a further Remedy in that Behalf, Be it enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament, That no Person after twenty Days next after the End of this Session of Parliament, shall in any Fair or Market sell, give, exchange or put away any Horse, Mare, Gelding, Colt or Filly, unless the Toll-taker there, or (where no Toll is paid) the Book keeper, Bailiff or the Chief Officer of the same Fair or Market, shall and will take upon him perfect Knowledge of the Personthat so shall sell or offer to sell, give or exchange any Horse, Mare, Gelding, Colt or Filly, and of his true Christian Name, Surname and Place of Dwelling or Resiancy, and shall enter all the same his Knowledge into a Bookthere kept for Sale of Horses; (2) or else, that he so selling or offering to sell, give, exchange or put away any Horse, Mare, Gelding, Colt or Filly, shall bring unto the Toll-taker, or other Officeraforesaid, of the same Fair or Market, one sufficient and credible Person that can, shall or will testify and declare unto and before such Toll-taker, Book-keeper or other Officer, That he knoweth the Party that so selleth, giveth, exchangeth or putteth away such Horse, Mare, Gelding, Colt or Filly, and his true Name, Surname, Mystery and Dwelling-place, and there enter or cause to be entered in the Book of the said Toll-taker or Officer, as well the true Christian Name, Surname, Mystery and Place of Dwelling or Resiancy of him that so selleth, giveth, exchangeth or putteth away such Horse, Mare, Gelding, Colt or Filly, as of him that so shall testify or avouch his Knowledge of the same Person; (3)and shall also cause to be entered the very true Price or Value that he shall have for the same Horse, Mare, Gelding, Colt or Filly so sold: (4) And that no...
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