Bicester's Early Market Traders (Bicester, Oxfordshire)

Bicester was first granted the right to hold a market in 1239 AD - a tradition which, though vastly different, still prevails to this day.

Due to the Black Death wreaking havoc upon the population of Bicester and surrounding villages in 1349, the local economy took a tremendous hit. Around this time, it was recorded that the toll from the market dropped, and was stated to be 'no more than 30s. on account of the pestilence'! These toll rates - paid by traders - amounted to approximately 1% of the value of the goods being traded.

In 1377, the future of the market was briefly put at risk, when the reigning monarch at the time (King Richard II) granted Sir John de Worthe of Bignell (part of Chesterton) permission to hold a Monday Market, along with a three-day fair, which was to be held on or around the Feast of St James (traditionally celebrated on the 25th July). The reason that this posed a potential problem is because, back then, markets were required to be situated at least 5 miles apart. 

However, there is no surviving record indicating any type of legal dispute between the then Lord of the Manor of Bicester Market End, and Sir John de Worthe. The Bignell market was mentioned again in 1439 and 1463-64, but seemingly ceased operation after that.

Amongst the types of traders offering their services at the market in Bicester were:

• Barkers, who tanned leather using the bark of trees.
• Curriers, who transformed freshly-tanned leather into a product more suitable for other craftsmen to use.
• Skinners, who dealt in pelts, skins and furs.
• Glovers, who made and sold gloves.
• Fullers, who cleaned and thickened woven materials in order to eliminate dust, oils and other impurities.
• Dyers, who altered the colours of various textiles.
• Webbers, who operated looms.

If some of the above terms sound familiar, that's probably because they have lived on in the form of surnames!

There are also references to specific individuals who plied their wares at Bicester market during this period, such as:

• Richard Skinner and Thomas Tanner, whose respective occupations should be fairly self-explanatory. 
• Robert Brasier, a wine merchant.
• Thomas Draper, who was known to sell cloth hoods and other items of clothing.

The main high street in the town - now known as 'Sheep Street' - was purposely built approximately 300 years ago, in order to accommodate the sheep/livestock fairs. The nearby 'Cattle Market car park' was, perhaps a little obviously, once home to the cattle market.

The 'Market Square', adjacent to Sheep Street, was the site of the original market. Sheep Street was once known as 'St John the Baptist Street', owing to the medieval chapel and hermitage - dedicated to St John - being situated near to the present day Victoria Road; the hermitage and chapel no longer exist.