134 Old Customs of Morpeth. By Wm. Woodman. 



The great fair on the eve of aad oa Ascensioa day was vastly 

 different from that of the present day. Men and women 

 servants attended in great numbers to be hii-ed from Whitsuntide 

 to Martinmas, instead of for six months. Each lad and lass 

 had in their hats a green leaf, generally of holly, to show "a 

 place was wanted." The stalls were more numerous and of 

 a better class than now. Some came year after year, among 

 them was a very large one of jewellery and Birmingham goods, 

 then there were some big stout men with short arms, who sold 

 West of England clotli, there was always a stall for ballads, and 

 a great number for toys and gingerbread, Billy Purvis's, and two 

 or three penny shows. Goods formerly could not be sold until 

 the market bell rung at 1 1 a.m. At that time all the tenants of 

 the lord, with the steward, attended to proclaim* the fair at the 

 Bull-ring, Fair-moor, and lime kiln, at the S.E. corner of the 

 terrace. These were followed by the Bailiffs and Officers of the 

 Corporation, with their insignia of office, who also proclaimed the 

 fair at the Market-place, Buller's Green, Cross, and the terrace. 



* Proclamations are uow rare ; they were as follows : — 

 Whereas it is enacted that every lord of a fair shall make, or cause to 

 be made, open proclamation how long the said fair shall endure, now 

 know ye that the [Right Honourable Frederick Howardj Earl of Carlisle, 

 Viscount Howard of Morpeth, Baron Dacre of Gilslaud, and Lord of this 

 present fair, doth strictly charge and command all manner of persons, 

 coming and repairing to this present fair, that they keep the peace of our 

 Sovereign Lord the King ; that no manner of persons during this present 

 fair shall commit or make any riot, route, or unlawful assembly, or any 

 other misdemeanour within the precincts of this fair ; and all manner 

 of persons are required peaceably and quietly to pay their tolls, due or 

 accustomed, and that no person or persona bring to the said fair any 

 infected goods, and all such persons as shall buy sell or exchange any 

 horse, gelding, mare, or filley within the siid fair, shall enter them with 

 the clerk of the tolls, with the colours, age, and marks of the said horses, 

 geldings, colts, and Alleys, together with the names, surnames, and 

 dwelling places, as well of the buyer as the seller thereof. And it is 

 the will and pleasure of the lord of the said fair coming, and repairing 

 to the said fair, shall have free egress and regress, to and from, the 

 same ; and if there shoald happen any difference, or controversy, to arise 

 between party or parties, within the said fair, the party or parties, 

 grieved may repair to the officers of the said fair, when they shall have 

 justice administered unto them according to the court of Pied poudre ; 

 and lastly know ye that the said fair shall continue for the space of 

 three days whereof the present day is one. God save the King. 



The Lord of the Fair. 



