Stourbridge Fair proves its value to Cambridge all over again
Perhaps it’s the weather, or the lure of escapism – or maybe there’s lots of history fans out there who want to go that little bit further into medieval history. Whatever it is, Stourbridge Fair 2022 proved hugely enjoyable for visitors to the Leper Chapel off Newmarket Road.
This year, for the first time, visitors were able to use the Chisholm Cycle Trail to reach the fair, and the site was extended onto a new green space created between the Trail and the Chapel.
The Chapel, one of Cambridge’s oldest complete buildings, is located next to Newmarket Road in Cambridge, close to Cambridge United football stadium.
The fair was first held in 1211, and is today a free community event with dancers, musicians and storytellers, and stalls, activities and history talks for four-plus hours from midday.
The Stourbridge Fair was granted permission by King John and was first held in 1211 to raise money to support the hospital caring for the city’s lepers.
It grew to become the largest medieval fair in Europe. Organisation of the event was a complex matter and at its height it became a small town. The layout became fixed enough for street names to be used. Some are still with us – Garlic Row, Oyster Row, Mercer’s Row.
When the leper colony closed in the late-thirteenth century, the fair was handed over to the town, and by 1589, it had grown to become a five-week event. Stourbridge Fair continued until 1933 and was then revived in 2004 as a re-enactment by local charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future, who own and care for the Leper Chapel.
The fair – the first since 2019 – began at noon with the traditional opening proclamation, given by the Proctor of Cambridge University. The Cry set out the rules for the fair, including how beer could be sold, fines for mis-selling and banning bad behaviour. The event was then opened by the Mayor of Cambridge.
James Littlewood, CEO of organisers Cambridge Past, Present & Future, said: “The original Stourbridge Fair was the biggest in Europe and lasted for over 700 years, our re-enactment helps people connect to that past and remember this important event in our city’s history, which helped to put Cambridge on the medieval map.
“It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the Stourbridge Fair, this year’s event was the biggest that Cambridge Past, Present & Future has been able to organise. There were some wonderful stalls including bodgers, medieval remedies and spoon makers and it was great to see adults and children joining in with the medieval dancing and music.
“We are also grateful to the many volunteers who made this event possible.”
