Monument record 2853/20 - St James Fair

{1} The market was re-established in the early 17th century, to be held every Thursday with a fair on vigil, day and day after S. Luke the Evangelist, with the profits going to the relief of the poor of the town. It was stated that the tenants had made substantial losses due to fires and that the market and fairs to their great loss has been discontinued.

In 1650 the market and fair were still being held and were worth an annual profit of £2 to the lord of the manor. However in 1712 it was said it was 'scarce thought worthy of the name Market -Town; yet are not without memorable things.' In 1720 it held a Tuesday market and annual fair of feast of St.Luke for 3 days from St.Luke’s eve. The market cross was demolished in 1834. The weekly market, on a Tuesday was not much frequented by 1849, though it still had a fair on 29th October for cattle, horses and cheese.

<1> Taylor J.; Foard G.; Ballinger J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Overview, Appendix 2 (Report). SNN103118.

Record last edited

Apr 16 2008 3:55PM