Site of Warwick Market Cross, Market Place

Description of this historic site

Documentary evidence suggests that this is the site of Warwick Market Cross, which stood on the east side of Market Place.

Notes about this historic site

1 Dugdale’s 1650 edition, speaking of Thomas Fisher, records that his true name was Hawkins, and that his father by profession sold fish at the Mercate Cross near Warwick. The plan of Warwick shows this cross as standing on a base on a step or two in the Market Square.
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.

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