Rotherham Markets and Fairs
Rotherham had both markets and fairs long before Sheffield where King Edward I granted a charter on 12 Nov 1296, to Thomas Furnival to hold a market on a Tuesday.
In medieval England and Wales, a market was held once a week, on a set day and in a set place. A fair was usually held annually, on a set date, normally associated with the feast of a particular saint. A fair might last only a single day or over a number of days.
Markets
Evidence shows that Rotherham was a Borough in 1409. Alan Everitt found evidence of Rotherham being a market town from 1600.
There is evidence for one medieval market to be held at Rotherham. The market was granted by a charter dated 9 Feb 1283 and was granted by King Henry III to John de Vescy, son of William de Vescy, who granted to brother Thomas de Steyngreve(Stayngreve), Abbot of Rufford, and the Church of St Mary, Rufford.
King Edward I inspected and confirmed this charter on 9th February, 1283. On 12 Jun 1285, King Edward I inspected and confirmed a charter of John de Vescy, son and heir of William de Vescy, quit claiming to the Manor of Rufford the ownership of the market of Rufford. In 1293, the Abbot of Rufford was holding the market.
It therefore appears that John de Vescy owned the market, then granted half to Rufford Abbey and finally quit claimed the remainder.
Charter of 1 Apr 1307, granted by King Edward I to Robert de Waddesleye. Market to be held at the manor on Friday.
Charter of 4 Mar 1309, granted by King Edward I to Edmund de Dacre. Market to be held at the manor on Friday.
Charter of 7 Feb 1316, granted by King Edward I to the A and C of Rotherham, to be held at the manor on Monday.
Fairs
Edmund (20 Nov): recorded on 2 Jan 1208, a Fair held by Eustach de Vescy.
This appears to be a confirmation of an exisiting fair and a change or extension of the date. 1208, Nova Oblata: Eustace de Vesci owed 100m. for having a fair at Rotherham and a port and a market at Alnmouth, Northumberland. He also owed two palfreys pro removendo termino ferie sue de Roderham sicut in carta regis. On 9 Feb 1283, King Edward I inspected a charter of John de Vescy, son of William de Vescy, granting to brother Thomas de Steyngreve, Abbot of Rufford, and the Church of St Mary, Rufford and the Manor, the lordship of half the fair. On 12 Jun 1285, King Edward I inspected and confirmed a charter of John de Vescy, son and heir of William de Vescy, quitclaiming to the Manor of Rufford the ownership of the fair of Rufford.
Charter on the Nativity of John the Baptist (24 Jun) and granted on 1 Apr 1307, by King Edward I to Robert de Waddesleye.
Charter. Edmund the Archbishop (16 Nov) was granted on 4 Mar 1309, by King Edward II to Edmund de Dacre.
Charter of Edmund (16 Nov), granted on 7 Feb 1316, by King Edward II to the Abbot and Church of Rufford. Presumably the fair on Edmund the archbishop (16 Nov) granted in 1309 superseded the fair on Edmund the martyr (20 Nov), first recorded in 1208. It has been assumed that the feast of the fair granted in 1316 related to Edmund the archbishop.
Village Markets & Fairs
Evidence of Markets and Fairs are still to be found in the form of a Butter Cross at Wath-on-Dearne and Braithwell. As these were often run by the monasteries, the cross is said to be a reminder of honesty.
Braithwell Markets & Fairs:
Market Charter granted by King Edward I on 18 Aug 1289, to Elias de Hanvill(Hauville). To be held on Tuesdays at the manor.
Charter for an eight day Fair to be held each July on the Feast of St. Margaret, granted on 18 Aug 1289, by King Edward I to Elias de Hanvill. To be held at the manor.
Harthill Market:
Granted by Letter of 8 Jul 1238, by King Henry III to William Bardulf. Market to be held at the manor. Mandate to the Sherrif of Yorkshire to cause him to have it.
Laughton-en-le-Morthen Markets & Fairs:
Market Charter granted by lettee on 12 May 1253, by King Henry III. To be held at the manor on a Friday, which had been granted to Edward, the king’s son. Mandate to the Sherrif of York to proclaim the market and cause it to be established.
Charter for a Fair to be held on the feast of John the Baptist (24 Jun), granted 12 May 1253, by King Henry III. To be held at the manor, which had been granted to Edward, the king’s son. Mandate to the Sherrif of York to proclaim the fair and cause it to be established.
Wath-on-Dearne Markets & Fairs:
Market Charter granted on 7 Sept 1312, by King Edward II to Reyner le Flemyng. To be held at the manor.
2 day Fair on the Feast of Matthew (21 Sept), granted 7 Sept 1312, by King Edward II to Reyner le Flemyng. To be held at the manor.
References
The Making of South Yorkshire: David Hey, 1979
Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs
House of Cistercian monks: The abbey of Rufford, A History of the County of Nottingham: Volume 2 (1910), pp. 101-05
Reminiscences of Rotherham - Rotherham's Open Markets
Reminiscences of Rotherham - Markets and Fairs
Reminiscences of Rotherham - The Market Fire