Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city. A town may be correctly described as a `market town` or as having `market rights`, even if it no longer holds a market, provided the legal right to do so still... Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_town
(from the article `France`) In addition to this large-scale commerce, there was agriculturally based local trade. The number of markets increased, and market towns began to ... Small market towns rather than villages are common. Built by the English and Scottish planters or by the landlords of the 18th century, they have a ... [2 rel... Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/m/37