Monument record 1681/1/1 - Market Place, Brigstock

The late date of the market creation and the high quality and time depth of documentation means that it may be possible to determine how the market place was established and whether it involved and significant change in the arrangement of tenements in the settlement. The market place has not apparently been subject to large scale disturbance for Iron Age features have been recovered from the southern part of the area. This might indicate that there will be good survival of medieval and post medieval structures within the market place, perhaps including less substantial structures.

{1} The market place was established on the slightly higher ground to the north east of church and manor, known as Hall Hill from at least 1482. It is unclear whether the Hall Hill was an existing medieval green which was simply utilised as a market place or if there was a re-planning of the central area of the village to accommodate a new market place. In the latter case perhaps widening an existing street.

It would appear that there were agricultural tenements fronting onto the Hall Hill, not just cottages, for in 1618 reference is made to a 'sute house' on Hall Hill and then in 1624 to a half 'sute house' there. Even in the true market towns such a pattern might be found, particularly where the town had evolved from an agricultural village, for example as seen at Oundle. In contrast to the market towns there is no evidence at least in the early 18th century for a grouping of alehouses or inns around the market place, the few in the village being scattered in several different streets, though not all of the alehouses have been located.
For further details of the market see section 7 in main report.

The two annual fairs, granted to the tenants of Brigstock in 1466-7, were to be held on the feasts of St. George (23rd April) and of St. Martin (11th November). In the 1570s the fair still functioned, for the farmers of the fair paid to the Montagu family the sum of £3/13/4d annually. In 1604-5 the fairs and their tolls, annually worth about £7, were again granted to a group of tenants of the village, the profits to be disposed of for the good of the poor or for the repair of the church, with the money being administered by two representatives of the village. By 1720 three fairs were being held annually, on the feasts of St. Mark, St. Bartholomew and St. Martin. Three fairs were still being held in 1847, on the 25th April, 4th September and 23rd November, only finally dying out later in the 19th century.
The main goods traded at Brigstock in 19th century were horses and horned cattle at the fair on St. Mark's, sheep, brass and pewter at St. Bartholomew's and black hats, boots, shoes and pedlary at Martinmass. It's not known where the fairs were hled, but probably located in the market place.

{2} In the area of the former medieval market place the modern road make-up directly overlay the natural limestone. No archaeological deposits were present.

{3} Brief synopsis of market history
1466-7 market on Saturday & 2 annual fairs on 23 April & 11th November
market functioned in 1586
1604 Thursday market
fairs S. Mark; S. Bartholomew, S. Martin.
utterly decayed 1623
Fair in 1847 25 April, 4th September, 23rd November

<1> Foard G, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Brigstock (Medieval + Post Medieval), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100441.

<2> HYLTON T., 1994, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49181.

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

<4> Foard G., 2000, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Brigstock, (unchecked) (Report). SNN101571.

<5> Markham C.A., 1901, The Stone Crosses of Northamptonshire, pp.27-29 (checked) (Report). SNN5725.

Record last edited

Oct 1 2026 12:32PM