Fairs, past and present : $b A chapter in the history of commerceWalford, Cornelius
History
Fairs, past and present : $b A chapter in the history of commerce
Walford, Cornelius
Fairs
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.
1637. The fair was also again prohibited on account of the prevalence of
plague.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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