Monument record 7196/109 - Higham Ferrers Fair

Unlocated within town

{1} In 1250 William de Ferrers obtained a grant of a fair on the vigil, day and morrow of the feast of St. Botolph (17th June). St Botolph's fair continued and in 1300 a second fair was added, on the eve of St. Michael and two days thereafter, granted to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. In 1556 the borough charter granted four fairs, adding feasts of St Katherine and of St Matthias to the existing fairs and four fairs continued to be held by the corporation in 1649. In the 1660s the number was reduced to two fairs and in 1684 just one remained, for the sale of cattle and merchandise on the Thursday before the conversion of St Paul. However in circa 1720 Bridges records 7 fairs and these remained in 1800. However by 1901 all these fairs had fallen into disuse, replaced only by a pleasure fair in the week after 15th August. (1)

<1> Foard G.; Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Higham Ferrers (Medieval - Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100543.

Record last edited

Feb 28 2017 7:13PM