1211 Stourbridge Fair granted to Leper Hospital

The charter to hold Stourbridge Fair was given to the leper hospital by King John. It was held on Stourbridge Common, named after the Stour, a tributary to the Cam just to the East of the common. The spelling of "Stourbridge" in the name of the fair has also variously been "Sturbridge", "Stir-Bitch" and "Stirbitch" (a spelling now preserved in the domain name Stirbitch.com).

An important factor in its growth was its location next to the river where barges from King's Lynn and the Wash could unload. Also a major East-West road to Newmarket was served by a ferry ar that point in the river Cam. Thus, the fair was accessible to the whole country. It was also close to the lively town of Cambridge, but no individual or authority could impose limitations or taxes.

Storylines using this article

Medieval Fairs [prev] [next]