Shropshire Routes to Roots - Shropshire places - Wem
by Samuel Garbet
1750. Wem has been a market town five hundred and forty-five years, having enjoyed this privilege from the seventh of king John, A. D. 1205. Then Warin Fitz Gerald having obtained the wardship of William Pantulph, procured a charter for a weekly market, and annual fair at this town. At first the market was held on a Sunday, as was then commonly done in other places. In 20th Edward I. William le Boteler under age, and in ward of the king, claimed to hold a market here every week, per diem dominicum on the Lord's day. This continued to 24th Edward III. when Simon Islip, archbishop of Canterbury, by his constitution did forbid the going to market on the Lord's day for the future. Whereupon the market day was changed from Sunday to Thursday.
This market does not take off any quantity of corn, but one part of the year is very remarkable for swine. From the beginning of September to Christmas, thirty or forty hogs are sold every market day. Holy Thursday is not a much inferior fair in respect of the concourse of people, amid the variety of cattle and goods that are offered to sale. It was formerly much frequented by maids, dressed all in white, and often appearing twenty or thirty in a body; whence it is commonly called Rig-fair.
There are three fairs in the year, which are proclaimed with the usual formalities. The first in course of the year, though the last that was obtained of the crown, is kept on the 25th of April, being the festival of St. Mark. In 1636, Thomas Howard, earl of Arundel and Surrey, procured a charter for it, from king Charles I. It lasts only one day, and is chiefly remarkable for great quantities of linen cloth.
The most ancient fair is that obtained by Warin Fitz Gerald, 1205, in the reign of king John, to be held on the Eve the day, and the day after time feast of St. Peter and Paul. Their festival was on the 29th of June, which since the reformation has been appropriated to St. Peter, alone. This fair is chiefly remarkable for cows and calves, and barren cattle, designed to be fed.
The third fair is on the 11th day of Nov. being the festival of St. Martin, bishop of Tours, who being one of the popish saints, it is probable this fair was granted in the times of popery, but when, and by whose interest I have not been able to learn. It must be since 20th Edward I. for then it was not claimed together with that on the 29th June. It is chiefly remarkable for vast numbers of the best hogs, most of which are bought on the Eve of the fair, and in droves sent to London for victualling the navy.
Page created 7 September 2003 and last updated 22 June 2007
