HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 43 



The market of Burton, first granted by King John, and confirmed 

 by King Henry III. is held oil Thursday ; and in consequence of 

 the trade and manufactures of the town, and the opulence of the 

 neighbourhood, it is well attended and supplied with grain, 

 butcher's meat, butter, poultry, &c. 



There are four annual Fairs held in Burton, by a grant of King 

 Henry III. The principal lasts six days; during the first five days, 

 more fine horses, particularly of the black breed, are usually ex- 

 posed to sale than at any other fair in the kingdom. The sixth 

 day is the festival of St. Modwen, (October 29,) and is appropriated 

 to the sale of cheese, and to a variety of sports and pastimes. A 

 second fair is held on Ascension Day ; a third on the 5th of April, 

 for cattle ; and the fourth, on the 2d of February, (toll-free,) for 

 horses, cattle, and merchandize. 



CHRONOLOGY OF REMARKABLE EVENTS. 



Iii the year 1255, the greatest part of Burton was consumed by 

 an accidental fire. 



In the 14th year of the reign of Edward II. Thomas, Earl of 

 Lancaster, was at the head of a formidable insurrection against 

 that Prince ; and in the following year the King raised a powerful 

 army, and several of the Earl's confederates deserted from him, 

 and went over to the royal standard. The Earl's faithful adhe- 

 rents marched with him first to Gloucester, and thence to Burton- 

 upon-Trent, and so to his castle at Tutbury, about four miles 

 distant from the town. While on his march, the Earl sent a con- 

 fidential officer into Lancashire to bring up 500 men to his aid ; but 

 he conducted the levies to the King's army, and apprized Edward 

 of the Earl's intentions. The King immediately pursued his 

 enemy, first marching to Coventry, and thence to Lichfield, where 

 the two Spensers joined him with all their forces. On the approach 

 of the royal army to Burton, the Earl placed infantry on each side 

 of the bridge, to prevent the King's passage over the Trent. The 

 King then forded the river at Walton, about three miles above the 

 town, which being made known to the Earl, he sallied forth with his 

 troops from Tutbury Castle, in expectation of being joined by his 

 Lancashire auxiliaries. On hearing of their defection, he fled 

 northwards, and was pursued to Pontefract, where he was taken 

 and beheaded.* The Abbey of Burton suffered so much by the 



* Dugdale's Baronetage, Vol. I. p. 781. 



