Monument record 3980/4 - Rothwell Market

The earliest reference to a market is in 1154. A fair is first recorded in 1204

{1} Market: Section 7 in main report. The earliest reference to the market is in 1154. By 1261 the market, together with the borough, had been farmed to the burgesses of Rothwell and this continued throughout the medieval period. The market continued to function through the 16th century. However it is clear that the market and indeed the whole town of Rothwell continued to suffer from the competition of nearby Kettering, as it had done in ever since the 13th century. The market did in fact struggle on into the early 19th century, when it was held primarily for the sale of grain. The decline continued and soon it was all but extinguished, except for the sale of earthenware which was 'still exposed for sale' on a Monday.
See also Section 10 'Historical Topography'
The plan form around the market place suggests a number of encroachments, not only the probable islands of shops but also the irregular projection of tenements at the south east corner of the market place.

The Fair: Section 7.2 in main report
The fair, held on the eve of the feast of the Holy Trinity and the four days thereafter, is first recorded in 1204 but was probably in existence by the mid 12th century, when the market is first recorded, if not much earlier. Whereas the market was held at farm by the burgesses, the fair was controlled directly by the manor and in 1262 was worth ,4 per annum and by 1306-7 ,5 per annum. Although the licence for the fair specified five days, in 1262 it was actually held for only two days. Whereas the medieval records for the market and fair are poor, the 18th century provides an important collection of records for Rothwell fairs for both the sale of horses and of leather. It is clear from these records that whereas the weekly market trade and the shops were largely if not wholly restricted to the market place, the fairs, at least in the post medieval period, were much larger events which saw sales being made throughout the town.

{3} Brief synopsis of Market history:
First reference to market in 1154.
1202 Sunday market changed to Saturday
1204 Saturday market changed to Monday
1551 Monday; fair Friday before Trinity
1560 market & fair
1712 in decline
Gone by 1849

<1> Foard G, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rothwell (Medieval and Post Medieval), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100514.

<2> 1813, Rothwell Tithe Map (TM 390/Map 3106), (checked) (Map). SNN100515.

<3> Taylor J.; Foard G.; Ballinger J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Overview, Appendix 2 (checked) (Report). SNN103118.

Record last edited

Dec 20 2017 1:24PM