Monument record 3980/4/3 - Rothwell Market Stalls or Shops

{1} As in all the main markets in the county the principal traders sold from shops or stalls which were normally located within the market place. The number and distribution of shops and stalls in Rothwell is not well understood, in contrast to some other small towns. However in 1262 the burgesses held plots in the market place at fee farm while other plots, comprising an unspecified number of market stalls in the market place, were still held directly from the manor. In several cases the location of the shops is broadly indicated. In 1386 there was a grant of a shop and messuage next to St. Mary's Chapel, that is near the north east corner of the market place. In 1446 Thomas Tresham held one shop in the market at a rent of 10d per annum and in 1468 we hear of 3 shops in the market place. In the post medieval period shops are again found in the market places, a small shop being recorded there in 1607.
It is likely that, as in better documented small towns, the vast majority of the shops will have been organised in one or more rows on an island of building within the market place itself. Just such an island of buildings still existed in Rothwell immediately to the south of the market hall in 1813. This would place them close to the site of the market cross, a typical location for the rows of shops and stalls. These buildings were wholly removed from the market place in the earlier 20th century. It therefore seems likely that good archaeological evidence of the post medieval and medieval shops may be found within this area of the market place.

<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.

Record last edited

Apr 17 2008 3:47PM