3. PROFITS BY TRADING
The fair was a great institution in mediæval England, and the funds of privileged charities were assisted in this way. At Maiden Bradley the leprous women and their prior held a weekly market and an annual fair. The Chesterfield fair was exchanged for a yearly payment of six pounds of silver from the royal Exchequer, which indicates the value set upon it. The most notable hospital-fairs were that of the leper-house near Cambridge (originally held in the close and still held on Stourbridge Common), and those connected with St. Bartholomew’s and St. James’ near London. The story of the former has been told by H. Morley; and the “May-Fair” of St. James’ leper-house was also famous. These galas were usually at the patronal festival and lasted two or three days, but occasionally these profitable festivities were carried on for a fortnight. Fairs were held at the following hospitals:— p183
- Aynho,
- Bath (Holloway),
- Bury (St. Nicholas,
- St. Saviour),
- Baldock,
- Colchester (St. Mary Magdalene),
- Devizes (St.
- James & St. Denys),
- Dover (Buckland),
- Harting,
- Ipswich,
- Lingerscroft,
- Newbury,
- Newport,
- Newton Garth,
- Racheness,
- Royston (St. Nicholas),
- Swinestre near Sittingbourne,
- Thetford (St. John),
- Wycomb (2),
- etc.
- Aynho,
- Bath (Holloway),
- Bury (St. Nicholas,
- St. Saviour),
- Baldock,
- Colchester (St. Mary Magdalene),
- Devizes (St.
- James & St. Denys),
- Dover (Buckland),
- Harting,
- Ipswich,
- Lingerscroft,
- Newbury,
- Newport,
- Newton Garth,
- Racheness,
- Royston (St. Nicholas),
- Swinestre near Sittingbourne,
- Thetford (St. John),
- Wycomb (2),
- etc.
This curious and interesting custom survives in connection with St. Bartholomew’s, Newbury. The fair, originally granted by charter of King John (1215),[109] still takes place annually on the day and morrow of St. Bartholomew (Old Style), upon lands belonging to the hospital. A “Court of Pie Powder” is held on the morrow of St. Bartholomew’s day; the proctor of this ancient charity with the steward and bailiff attend, and proclamation is made opening the Court. Tolls derived from stallages are collected, together with an impost of 2d. on every publican in Newbury (the latter due being resisted in a few cases). The following day the Court meets again, when the proceeds are divided amongst the almsmen.[110]