Fools Fair at Lincoln

14 September · Broadgate, Lincoln

No longer kept

Lincolnshire

A cattle fair held in the Broad Gate at Lincoln on 14 September was known as Fools Fair. The story went that when King William and his queen visited Lincoln on a tour of the kingdom, they offered to serve the citizens in whatever way they liked best, and the citizens asked for a fair. Since it fell in harvest, when few people could come, and the town had neither trade nor manufacture, the king smiled, granted it and said it was a humble request indeed.

They asked for a fair, though it was harvest, when few people can attend it, and though the town had no trade nor any manufacture.

From Brand's Popular Antiquities, vol. 2, p. 469. Read the original

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Folklore from the old calendars

Nutting on Holy Rood Day No longer kept EnglandHoly Rood Day, the feast of the Holy Cross, was the day for going out to gather nuts in the hazel woods.
The Eton Nutting Holiday No longer kept BuckinghamshireAn old manuscript about Eton recorded that on a certain day in September, most likely Holy Rood Day, the scholars had a holiday to go out and gather nuts.
The Rood of Grace No longer kept KentThe crucifix at Boxley Abbey, the Rood of Grace, drew pilgrims because its figure of Christ moved its eyes, lips and head.
The Holy Rood Buck in Richmond Park No longer kept SurreyOn Holy Rood Day the king's huntsmen hunted their free buck in Richmond New Park with bloodhounds.
The stag at Durham on Holy-rood Day No longer kept County DurhamA stag was once offered at the high altar of Durham Abbey on Holy Rood Day while horns were wound in the church.
The passion flower for Holy Rood Lore and belief EnglandThe passion flower, blooming about Holy Rood Day, was taken to show the signs of the Cross whose feast fell on 14 September.

Fools Fair at Lincoln

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