Medieval Markets

The Feudal System, which existed in England in one shape or form up to around the end of the 14th century, meant that a serf would work for his lord 5-6 days a week, then on his own holding; a villein was a tenant farmer who would pay his lord in dues and services in return for land, both were subject to pay tithes.

Here in Bury St Edmunds, no-one could grind their grain in any other mill save that within the Abbey, chargeable of course! Pre-Conquest, St Marys Square aka the Horse Market was the marketplace, and after, at The Great Market, today’s Cornhill.

Bury St Edmunds commerce was to thrive with the arrival of its first chartered fair during the reign of Henry 1st around 1125. Other fairs followed, normally held on religious feast days and jealously guarded by the Abbey as it gathered up the tolls they created. King John was persuaded to agree that no other fair or market could be set up in The Liberty of St Edmund, (to become West Suffolk). A special court with the rather splendid name of Pie-Powder (dusty feet from travelling) was even set up to settle disputes held in these Bury fairs. St Matthews Fair was undoubtedly the most popular and was held in September on Le Mustowe, what we know today as Angel Hill.

Its most celebrated local visitor was that of the ex-Queen of France, Mary Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk, sister of Henry VIII. From being an important trading venue selling exotic goods such as damasks, silks, perfumes, spices etc, the fair developed over time to become a marriage mart where prospective partners could meet and was only abolished in 1871 by an act of parliament for being ‘long past its sell by date’.

Hazells Histories are kindly provided by renowned local historian, Martyn Taylor.