The Brokage Books
For thirty-eight different years between 1430 and 1540 brokage was levied on several thousand carts: the names of carter and owner, the destination, and the contents of each cart were carefully recorded in the Southampton brokage books.
They are not only the best record for the trade of Southampton with its hinterland, for the inland trade of central southern England and of every significant place within it, but are also the best record for inland trade anywhere in England for this period.
Brokage Book SC5/5/9 Michaelmas 1448 to Michaelmas 1449 showing original parchment cover.
The layout of a typical page of a brokage book (example from brokage book SC5/5/8 for 1447-48).