Whenever the king's household was on the move, the clerk of the market was required to ride in advance of the royal party, securing all necessary supplies. As part of his authority he declared the *assize of bread, wine and ale, and oats to ensure their quality. This assize would apply to every market within the *verge for whatever time the royal household remained in the district. A further duty was to ensure that prostitutes were kept away from the court. At this time, the court was an all-male institution. These duties came under the purview of the *Marshalsea. -
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.