Fairs, past and present

by Cornelius Walford

1567. This year George Aylston, merchant, on behalf of the Corporation of Sudbury instituted proceedings in the Duchy Court of Lancaster against Christopher Fletcher alderman of Cambridge, for taking his goods at this fair. Fletcher alleged that he took the goods as a distress damage feasant, and it seems had a decree in his favour.

1568. Citizens of London.—On 4th Nov. the Corporation of Cambridge deputed Roger Lord North the mayor, Francis Hinde Esq., and the Counsel-at-law of the town to deliberate in what way it could be contrived that the citizens of London might return to Sturbridge fair, as of old they were accustomed. “Annals,” ii. p. 235.

1571. As early as 1545 there had been passed by the Corporation of Cambridge “an Ordinance for the setting of Willows.” This ordinance “for planting willows on the commons, drains, moors, marshes and fens of the town” was renewed this year. Every alderman might set six score of poles and every burgess four score up the banks of any surface, drains, ditches, &c. They to lop and top for their own use and advantage, cleansing from time to time the drains &c. on which the same were planted. The said willows to be held on the same terms as the booths at Sturbridge fair were held by the burgesses, &c. See 1575.

1574. On the 21st Nov. Dr. Perne, Vice-chancellor, wrote to Lord Burleigh on the subject of the Plague visitation in Cambridge, and in the postscript to the letter made the suggestion of a new charter being granted to the University as follows:

I am enformed that there is sute made to yᵉ Queen’s majestie by some of her highnesse privie chamber for Sturbridg faire, for that it hath stand seased unto her highnes hand sithence yᵉ tyme of the raign of her highnes father, the wʰ if it might please her highnes to bestowe to the University, there might be such a worthie and perpetual monement made by the rent thereof, as her majestie did most gratiously promise at her last beinge at Cambridg in her highnes Oration made there, & the Townesmen that be nowe occupiers thereof, yeldinge a reasonable rent to yᵉ university for their severall boothes. Thus I am bold to put your honor in mynd of this, referringe the whole matter to your honors best consideracion to do herein as yow shall thinke good.

1575. At a Common Day held in the Round Church (probably on account of the Plague being near the Guildhall) on the 25th March the Corporation made a Declaration as to the tenure of booths at Sturbridge fair of which the following are the principal portions:

Forasmuch as some question hath bene made of the maner of tenure of booths in Sturbridge Fayer, some houlding one opinion, & some another, everie man speakinge his fantasie therein, affirminge his owne opinion to be the true custome, and that it ought to stande for truethe; for that it hath not bene generally knowne to all men whether any Custome hath remained written in any records of this towne concerninge the same fayre, yea or no:

Commandment therefore had been given to the Town Clerk to search the records of the town. This had been done and “it is founde in the oulde and ancient record called the Cross Booke of the sayde Towne, that remaineth there written.” This I have already given, under date 1403. The same was reaffirmed; and it was now ordered that every burgess claiming a booth must have his title thereto entered in a book to be kept by the Corporation for that purpose; and thereafter he might alienate the same to any other free burgess by due entry in the said book in manner and form provided.

1576. 8th Dec. The Corporation sealed a power of attorney (dated 30th Nov.) authorizing the Recorder and others named to act in all matters before the Queen and her Council, and in all causes and businesses touching the town, particularly the redemption and confirmation of Sturbridge Fair. To this end the Corporation empowered the Mayor and others to rate the possessioners of booths in the fair towards the payment of 1000 marks for the fine for the fair.

On 13th of same month Lord Burleigh the Chancellor, and the Earl of Leicester High steward of the University wrote to Dr. Goad the Vice-chancellor, desiring that there might be a conference between the heads of the University and Town relative to the contemplated grant of the fair. Lord Burleigh it seems had obtained from the Queen a declaration that no petition of the townsmen respecting their fair should be received to the prejudice of the University.