from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
STATUTES STAPLE, English law. The statute of the staple, 27 Ed. HI. stat. 2,
confined the sale of all commodities to be exported to certain towns in
England, called estaple or staple, where foreigners might resort. It
authorized a security for money, commonly called statute staple, to be taken
by traders for the benefit of commerce; the mayor of the place is entitled
to take a recognizance of a debt, in proper form, which has the effect to
convey the lands of the debtor to the creditor, till out of the rents and
profits of them he may be satisfied. 2 Bl. Com. 160; Cruise, Dig. tit. 14,
s. 10; 2 Rolle's Ab. 446; Bac. Ab. Execution, B. 1 4 Inst. 238.