Legal Definitions - boothage

Definition: Boothage refers to the customary dues paid to a lord for placing a booth in a fair or market. It is also known as bord-halfpenny or boothage.

During medieval times, merchants had to pay boothage to the lord of the manor in order to set up their booths in a fair or market. This was a way for the lord to earn money from the merchants who wanted to sell their goods.

Today, boothage is still charged at some fairs and markets. For example, at the Minnesota State Fair, vendors have to pay boothage fees to rent a space to sell their products.

These examples illustrate how boothage is a fee charged to merchants for the use of a space to sell their goods. It is a way for fair or market organizers to earn money and for merchants to have a place to sell their products.