Fairs, past and present

by Cornelius Walford

1633. A question arose as to Dower, or the right to dower of the widows of booth-holders in this fair; and the Corporation on the 14th May enacted the following declaration:

The custom in such case is (and so hath ever time out of mind been used) that the relict and widow of her husband (who in his life was seised of booths in Sturbridge fair) shall have her dower of such booths only whereof her husband was seised and died intestate. But where the husband in his life time made sale of his booths or devised them by his last will and testament, the wife and relict in such case shall have no dower of any booths.

1636. The King (Charles I.) addressed a letter to the Vice-chancellor of the University and the mayor of Cambridge (dated Hampton Court, June 14), setting forth that the town had been often infected with the plague by means of persons repairing to the fairs, with goods brought from infectious places, whereby the scholars had been forced to forsake their studies and scatter themselves for safety unto remote parts of the kingdom: to avoid the like mischief from the contagion then raging in London and other places H. M. required the Vice-chancellor and Mayor to take order that Midsummer fair should not be kept this year, nor the goods of Londoners or others be sold within the town or three miles of the same. Refractory persons were to be bound to appear before the King or the Privy Council to answer the contempt, or on their refusal might be committed to prison. All justices of the peace of the county and town were commanded to be aiding and assisting.

In consequence of this letter it was feared that a similar order might be made as to Sturbridge Fair; and accordingly on Common Day, held 2nd Aug. steps were taken by the townsmen in view of procuring this fair to be held. But the result was the following letter dated 21 Aug.

To our trustie and wel beloved The maior & Aldemen of our Towne of Cambridge.

Charles R. Trustie and wel beloved we greete you well, whereas out of our royal care of our Universitie and Towne of Cambridge, and to prevent the encrease and further spreading of the plague within our Kingdome by such a publique concourse of people as doth usually resort to Sturbridge faire from all parts thereof, wee have thought fitt to forbid the keepinge of the said faire for this yeare, and have accordingly given order for signifyeing our royall pleasure therein by a Proclamacion, which requireing some time for the solemne publicacion thereof; to yᵉ end ye may not in the meane while proceede to proclaime and sett forth the precincts of the said faire, as wee are informed that your custome is to doe on the 24th of this presente moneth, Wee doe by these our Letters declare our said purpose to you of putting off the said faire for this yeare. And in consequence thereof, Our will and pleasure is, That you now forbeare to make any such preparacion to the said Faire or to doe any act whatsoever apperteyning thereunto, under paine of our royal displeasure.

Given under our Signett at our Courte at the Castle of Warwicke, the 21th day of August, in the Twelfe yeare of our raigne 1636.

The Town Clerk, the Attorneys of the Town Court and other of the Corporation were ordered to attend at the fair-field to publish his majesty’s pleasure and command. This was accordingly done on 24th Aug., the letter being read at the usual place of proclaiming the fair.

A proclamation prohibiting the fair was issued; and although it bore date prior to the Royal letter was only received after it. The proclamation contained this passage:

... And his majesty doth hereby further charge and command, under the like penalty, all Citizens and Inhabitants of his City of London, that none of them for this present year, shall bring or send any of their Goods or merchandize to Ely, Newmarket, or any other place near to the University of Cambridge, at or about the usual time appointed for Sturbridge fair, which were but to transfer that fair to other places, with no less Danger of dispersing the Sickness throughout the Kingdom. Given at our Court at Warwick Castle, the 20 day of Aug.