Fairs, past and present - Cornelius Walford

In the accounts of the Fair of this year are the following items—the result probably of causes heard by the Court of Piepowder—recorded thus: “receyved bi the Bedel and the Townsmen & partly found by promoters”:

Rychard Lylye of Stow of Thold [Stow-in-the-Wold] in Glossetershere hathe put to sale contrary to the statute vii peces of welshe frese and hathe paid for his fyne to Draper the partye that sued xx s, and for the quenes parte	vi s.
Receyved of Mr Caree of Brystow for xv peces of karsey put to sale contrarye to the statute	iii l.
And of Maye for felts forfeited	v s. iiii d.
Receyved of Tho. Mate for 11 karseys and 1 frese	xxx s.
Receyved of Mr. Ryngsted for exchaunge old sylver and from John Holls xxv s. whereof Tho. Gardener the promoter had xx s. and v s. for the quene.
Receyved of Thomas Daye for iii peces of karsaye put to sale contrarye to the act and seased for the quene	xxx s.
Receyved of the 11 Streaches and Bowldry of Walden for clothes forfeyted	x s.
Receyved of the Wardens of the Pewterers for pewter forfeited	viii s. iiii d.
Receyved of Smythe Twyffyn and Hadstack for	ii s. viii d.
Receyved of Mr Coxe of Brystow for viii peces	xl s.
Receyved of Mr. Chambers Habberdasher for a ... cappe sold
Receyved of Mr. Kytchyn Goldsmith for byeinge of	x s.
Receyved of Mr. Hamlett for mattresses forfeyted	v s.
Receyved of Geo. Alys for the lyke	v s.

At the bottom of the page, in a different handwriting are the three following items of disbursement:

Item, for the women for the sewing	ii s.
Item, paid Wyllm Grange for a cappe	ii s. iiii d.
Item, for our chargys at the fayre	x s.

New Charter.—1553. On the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, it was agreed by the Mayor, Alderman and Twenty-four, that the Town for their possessions and the other possessioners [owners of stalls and booths] in Sturbridge fair, should pay the King (Edward VI.) 1000 marks for the fine for Sturbridge Fair; that the body of the town should pay one half of all charges of obtaining the new charter, and the town for their possessions and the other possessioners to pay the other half. It was also agreed that the Recorder and others should have authority under the Common seal to sue to the King’s majesty and his honourable Council for a new Charter for the fair; and further that Mr. Robert Chapman and Mr. John Rust should pay no money towards the charges of the charter, in consideration of their pains in obtaining thereof, and £90 1s. 0d. was paid then towards the first instalment of 200 marks for the King’s fine.

The Charter was not however obtained in this reign, though the 200 marks were actually paid. “Annals,” ii. p. 70. See 1555, 1561, 1574, 1576, 1577, 1584, 1589—when new Charter was obtained by the town.

1555. 30 Jany. The Mayor, Aldermen, Twenty-four and Bailiffs gave authority to Mr. Robt. Chapman and Mr. John Rust to go to London to make suit to the Council touching the supplication made to them for the payment of the 800 marks; and for the setting forth and making the patent for the confirmation of Sturbridge fair.

1556. The question of Lynn Fair—apparently as to its revival—came on again this year, and on 2nd Aug. the Corporation ordered that the Mayor, Mr. Chapman, and Mr. Rust should frame an answer to a letter from the Bishop of Ely concerning Lynn Fair, and make objections in shewing why the same ought not to be had; and that the Town Clerk should carry the answer to his Lordship.

1557. On 23 June the King and Queen (Philip and Mary) by letters patent, granted to the Mayor, bailiffs and burgesses, a certain annual rent of £8 15s. 2d. issuing out of shops and booths in Sturbridge, which had been granted for the maintenance of obiits and anniversaries (see 1459, 1496, 1503, 1547), and alms to the poor of the town. The letters patent state, that this Rent had been seized into the hands of the Crown, under the statute of Chantries (1547) and that £6 10s. 6d. part thereof had been paid to the mayor, bailiffs and burgesses for distribution amongst the poor. This is expressed to be made from the King and Queen, that the rites and ceremonies of the Catholic Church should be maintained, and the wills of the donors performed! And also because the shops and booths in Sturbridge Fair, being of customary tenure, were not within the statute of Chantries.