1729. This year was passed “An Order for the Registering and Regulating the Prices of Hackney Coaches at Sturbridge Fair,” which was quite a formidable document. I give one paragraph only: ... And whereas in pursuance and by virtue of such immemorial prescription usage and Charters the said mayor bailiffs and burgesses have from time to time taken on themselves the regulation of Hackney Coaches coming to the said fair; and did heretofore take a toll of 5s. from each coach coming to the said fair, which of late years they have omitted to receive in consideration of the great expenses of such hackney coachmen coming to the said fair; and did order appoint and establish the prices to be taken by all coachmen coming to the said fair and there tendering themselves to carry passengers and persons from the town of Cambridge to the said fair, and from the said fair to the town of Cambridge, at the price or sum of 3d. ...
The price (after many more recitals) was fixed at 6d.
1733. There was a dispute between the University and the Corporation as to the right to weigh hops in the fair, as indeed there had been for several previous years. The matter was referred to the Commissary of the University and the Recorder of the Town, who decided in favour of the University. A paper on the subject was drawn up and published by Thomas Johnson of Magdalen College, one of the taxors.
1738. The University published a severe edict against schismatical congregations at Stourbridge fair, and appointed Pro-proctors to see it executed. These measures were occasioned by the fear that the famous John Henley would erect an oratory in the fair. He had applied to the Vice-chancellor for leave to hold an oratory there and had been refused.
1741. A great gale this year blew down many of the booths at the fair, and caused great inconvenience and some damage.
1747. On 29th June the Court of Common Pleas gave judgment in an action of trespass brought by James Austin against King Whittred for seizing his cheese, &c., at this fair in 1745; which trespass the defendant justified by way of distress damage feasant made by him as servant to the Corporation, the owners of the fair. The court held the plea bad in substance, as every person had of common right a liberty of carrying his goods to a public fair for sale.—“Willes Reports,” 623.
1748. A company of players from the theatres in London performed a pantomime called “Harlequin’s Frolics or Jack Spaniard caught in a Trap,” in Hussey’s Great Theatrical Booth. There were also some entertainments of singing and dancing. It was believed these were permitted in honour of the approaching peace. But in the following year there were also companies of players present.—“Annals,” iv. p. 262, note.
1749. The Land Tax assessed on the fair this year amounted to £112 7s. 10d.
Carter the Historian of Cambridge published an account of the fair this year. I shall only quote from it such points as have not been mentioned by De Foe and others. He refers to the name of the fair being obviously derived from the rivulet called the Stour, which has a bridge over it near the site of the fair.
“During the fair Colchester oysters (natives) and white herrings, just coming into season are in great request, at least by such as live in the inland part of the kingdom.” ... “The fair is like a well governed city.... If any dispute arise between buyer and seller &c., on calling out ‘Red-coat’ you have instantly one or more come running to you; and if the dispute is not quickly decided, the offender is carried to the said Court [of the fair] where the case is determined in a summary way....”