Stow Fair, Lincolnshire

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Stow Green Hill
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Stow Green Hill
Location within Lincolnshire
OS grid reference TF094350
•  London 100 mi (160 km)  S
Civil parish
District
Shire county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town SLEAFORD
Postcode district NG34
Police Lincolnshire
Fire Lincolnshire
Ambulance East Midlands
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Lincolnshire
52°54′07″N0°22′28″W / 52.902043°N 0.374377°W / 52.902043; -0.374377 Coordinates: 52°54′07″N0°22′28″W / 52.902043°N 0.374377°W / 52.902043; -0.374377

Stow Fair was an English medieval fair inaugurated in 1233 and held at Stow Green Hill in Lincolnshire. [1]

Contents

The Prior of Sempringham was granted permission in 1268 to hold this annual fair, from 23 to 25 June, [2] confirming an earlier charter.[ citation needed ] The fair continued until living memory,[ vague ] being run as a horse fair until 1954.

It seems likely that earlier fairs were held on the same days, one of which is the feast day of St Ætheldreda, long associated with the site. Historian Graham Platts' view is that there should be scepticism over a belief that the fair developed from earlier summer solstice rites. [3]

The North Kesteven Council has erected an information board at the site, with historical text and a photograph of the horse fair in 1908.

Location

Stow Horse Fair, 1978 Stow Horse Fair - geograph.org.uk - 1576364.jpg
Stow Horse Fair, 1978

Stow Fair was held at the now Stow Green Hill, next to Mareham Lane between Sleaford and Rippingale via Threekingham. This, is thought[ by whom? ] to be the route of a Roman Road aligned with King Street.

The location is on the edge of the Limestone hills, looking North over the fen country toward Sleaford. It is toward the end of a small ridge of high ground pushing east into the fen from Walcott. The field is around 108 feet (33 m) above sea level. It would have been a commanding position at the time.[ citation needed ]

A nearby farm is called Stow Farm, and the lane into Horbling is called Stow Lane. The area is signposted "Stow" from the A15 at Threekingham

Few Roman remains have been found along the route of Mareham Lane. [4] [5]

A fenced field at the corner of Mareham Lane and Stow Lane bears a notice board with historical information. The land is owned by the Crown Commissioners and farmed under a tenancy. Pedestrian access to the site is permitted, although metal detection is forbidden. Originally the fair could have extended over a larger area, and the field is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. [6]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "'Lincolnshire', Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales to 1516 (2005)".
  2. ↑ Platts, Graham (1985); Land and People in Medieval Lincolnshire (History of Lincolnshire, volume 4), appendix 1, History of Lincolnshire Committee for the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. ISBN   090266803X
  3. ↑ Platts, Graham (1985); Land and People in Medieval Lincolnshire (History of Lincolnshire, volume 4), p. 143, History of Lincolnshire Committee for the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. ISBN   090266803X
  4. ↑ Historic England. "Find to the North of the site (892619)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  5. ↑ Historic England. "Cropmarks to the South of the site (1041303)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  6. ↑ RSM no. 22610
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