ABSTRACT
Illingworth’s monograph, published in 1800, observed that forestalling as a concept in law ‘comprehends all unlawful endeavours to enhance the price of any commodity, and all practices which have an apparent tendency thereto’. Illingworth’s monograph, published in 1800, observed that forestalling as a concept in law ‘comprehends all unlawful endeavours to enhance the price of any commodity, and all practices which have an apparent tendency thereto’. The forestaller, it says, is a man who ‘hurries out before other men, sometimes by land and sometimes by water, to meet grain, fish, herring or other kinds of goods coming for sale by land or water, thirsting for evil profit. The continuing association of the rules against forestalling with the Marshalsea is confirmed by other sources. The term forestalling was most rapidly adopted in London. In the year 1279-80 the mayor and aldermen of the city made a new ordinance concerning fishermen and fishmongers.
