Abattoir (vendor)

Abbatoirs, or slaughterhouses, are located near stockyards and run by the butcher's guild. The slaughter of animals occurs in the open air, adjoined with fishmongers' stalls and the sale of certain perishable goods, in an area called the Wet Market. In English and Irish towns the streets where slaughtering takes place are called "The Shambles." Food purchased is cut in the amount wanted while the buyer waits and at this time food is not delivered by the guild. Normally, important or wealthy persons buy animals and not meat, to do their own slaughtering. Those of the middle class often have meat delivered, so as to avoid setting foot in the wet market.