Market Houses and the Tolsey

Its primary function was as a market house - the name 'Tolsey', found particularly in the Cotswolds and Wiltshire, suggests a place where market tolls were collected, and the building overlooked the town's main medieval market area on High Street, allowing officials in the upper chamber to oversee the proceedings. Its location allowed it to face down Sheep Street as well as High Street, though in fact the building turns its back to Sheep Street: presumably by 1525 the market area there had become less significant.