Site of Medieval Market Hall in Market Place

1 In the centre of the High Market, in an area known as the Barley Market, was the Booth Hall or Tolbooth, built by Thomas de Beauchamp (d1369). Stalls in it were rented to traders until 1505 when it became the residence of the manorial bailiff. In 1554 it was given to the newly-created corporation. In 1742 the Booth Hall was taken into the hands of the Sequestration Commissioners. The corporation probably recovered the Hall, but repairs subsequently became costly, and it began seriously to decay. As a result it was sold in 1791 and demolished.
2 Market (Prescriptive: borough, mint) recorded 1088×1119 when Henry de Beaumont, earl of Warwick, granted a tenth of the toll to one of his priests. Market also recorded in the mid thirteenth century. In 1279, the market days were Wed and Sat. Fair (Charter) vfm+5, Peter ad Vincula (1 Aug); gr 5 Oct 1261, by K Hen III to John de Plessis, earl of Warwick and his successors in the earldom. On 22 Sept 1262, John de Plessis, earl of Warwick granted to his burgesses a fair on 6+f+8 Peter ad Vincula, following his petition to the king. Fair (Charter) vf+5, Michael (29 Sept); gr 6 Nov 1268, by K Hen III to William de Bello Campo, earl of Warwick. To be held at the manor. On 16 Jul 1413, Richard Beauchamp, earl of Warwick, the king’s cousin, stated that the yearly fair held for 3 days at Michaelmas, granted to the bailiffs, burgesses and other commons of Warwick, was of no profit. On that day there were six or seven other fairs in the neighborhood. K Ric II granted Earl Richard and his heirs that the bailiffs, burgesses and other commons could have a fair in the borough on vfm Bartholomew (24 Aug) in lieu. Fair (Charter) vfm+12, Peter and Paul (29 Jun); gr 25 Aug 1290, by K Edw I to William de Bello Campo, earl of Warwick. To be held at the manor. Fair (Grant: Other) 3 day fair on f Simon and Jude (28 Oct); gr 1479. Fair (Grant: Other) 3 day fair on f Philip and James (1 May); gr 1479.