Bank of England Act 1696

LX. Brokers, &c. taking above 28. 6d. per Cent. for Brokerage, &c.

Penalty £20.; or making Bargain in which greater Allowance made than herein mentioned; Penalty £500.; and deemed a common Extortioner.

And be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and every Person and Persons who shall be imployed as a Broker or Brokers Sollicitor or Sollicitors or otherwise in the behalfe of any other Person or Persons to make or drive any Bargaine or Contract for the buying or selling of any of the said Orders or Tallies who shall after the said Tenth Day of June One thousand six hundred ninety seven take or receive directly or indirectly any Su[m]m or Su[m]ms of Money or other Reward or Thing for Broakidge solliciting driving procuring or making such Contract or Bargaine over and above the Su[m]m of Two shillings and Six pence for the Broakidge solliciting driving or procuring such Contract or Bargaine for One hundred pounds and so ratably for a greater or lesser Su[m]m shall forfeit for every such Offence Twenty pounds to such Person or Persons as will sue for the same by Action of Debt or of the Case as aforesaid and if any Broaker Sollicitor or Driver of any Bargaine or Contract for any such Tallies or Orders as aforesaid shall after the said Tenth Day of June One thousand six hundred ninety seven drive or make any such Bargaine or Contract for any Talley or Order or any Money due thereupon in which Contract or Bargaine there shall be any Premium or Allowance made or agreed to be made contrary to this Act then hee or they so offending shall for every such Offence forfeit the Su[m]m of Five hundred pounds to witt One third part thereof to the King and the other Two thirds thereof to such Person or Persons who will sue for the same to be recovered as aforesaid and that every such Broaker Sollicitor or Driver of such Bargaine who shall be guilty of such Offence and be thereof convicted shall be deemed and is hereby adjudged to be a co[m]mon Extortioner and shall suffer such further Paines and Penalties as by the Laws and Statutes of this Realme may be inflicted for co[m]mon Extortion.