Monument record 4959/3 - St James' Fair

St James' Fair was established in the 13th century. It was held in the Abbey precinct even after the abbey was dissolved, but was later moved into town.

{1}In 1268 St James' Abbey obtained licence to hold fair on eve of festival of St James & two days following; licence was renewed in 1413 in reign of Henry IV; fair was held in abbey grounds long after dissolution of monastery but was later removed to town;

{2}East of junction of Weedon Road with Duston Road & lying south of Weedon Road is marked "Fairyard Close";

{3}'Fairyard' presumably an open area & site of medieval fair held within abbey precinct;


{11} In 52nd Henry III obtained licence for fair to be held at convent on eve of Festival of St James & two days following; grant renewed in 14th Henry IV; it was in close adjoining Churchyard Close that St James' Fair was held & it is also supposed that abbey itself stood here; situated on descent from Duston to south & south-east; fair continued to be held in abbey grounds long after Dissolution; was moved to town circa 1760;

{12}1268 abbot gained grant to hold annual fair within abbey precincts on vigil & day & morrow of feast of St James; probably at one time source of considerable profit; fair survived dissolution but moved into Northampton circa 1690;

{13}In 52nd year of Henry III charter dated 20th July 1268 was granted to hold annual fair at convent; by 1538 fair is returned to yield no profit beyond expense of holding it; continued to be held in abbey precincts long after Dissolution; later moved into town; fine was levied of fair on sale of St James' abbey estate in 1791;

{14}In 1268 King granted Canons licence to hold fair in Convent precincts on eve of Festival of St James & two days following; privilege confirmed by Henry IV; probably source of considerable revenue for Canons at first;

{15}Fair-yard Close; annual St James' Fair granted by Henry III in charter of 20th July 1268; continued to be held in abbey grounds long after dissolution; now held in town;

{16}In 1268 King granted Canons licence to hold fair in Convent precincts on eve of Festival of St James & two days following;

{17}Privilege of granting of fair confirmed by Henry IV;

<1> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.307-8; Handwritten notes in NDC SMR File M20;; (unchecked) (Book). SNN1002.

<2> MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN353.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.265 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<11> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.501 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100366.

<12> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.127 (checked) (Series). SNN100369.

<13> Baker G., 1822-36, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.150 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10400.

<14> SERJEANTSON R.M., 1906, The Abbey of St. James, Northampton, 243-66 (Article). SNN2183.

<15> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.144 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1032.

<16> CHARTER, (unchecked) (Document). SNN2353.

<17> Calendar of Patent Rolls, 14 Henry IV pt.2 memb.24 (unchecked) (Document). SNN978.

Record last edited

Jan 24 2023 3:37PM