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Last updated: 23 July, 2007

NB: Updates/additions since the printed Gazetteer was published in 2003 are given in red

ABBOTSBURY 3578 852. 1334 Subsidy £66.39. Abbey from tenth century; the settlement had a guild and guildhall in the eleventh century (D. Whitelock ed., English Historical Documents: c.500–1042, second edition (London, 1979), pp. 605–6). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 11–14.
M (Prescriptive) Sun; mercatum recorded 1274–5, held by A of Abbotsbury. In 1274–5, the burgesses of Bridport alleged that the A of Abbotsbury’s market was damaging that at Bridport, Dorset (q.v.) by 30s. per annum (RH, i, p. 103). They claimed that the market was held without warrant (RH, i, p. 103). In 1278, the A of Abbotsbury was called to answer by what warrant he held a market to the detriment of the king’s borough at Bridport, Dorset (q.v.). However, the A denied that he claimed a market at Abbotsbury (QW, p. 185).
M (Charter) Fri; gr 23 May 1281, by K Edw I to A and C of Abbotsbury (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 250). To be held at the manor.

ASHLEY 3554 907. Grid references refer to Litton Cheney which incorporates Ashley.
M (Prescriptive) recorded 8 May 1382, held by A and M of St Edward now called Lettele [Netley Abbey] (CCR, 1381–5, p. 58). The abbey was to have its markets and the markets of its men at Ashley and at other places, implying that there was at least one market at Ashley (CCR, 1381–5, p. 58). For the other places, see Friar Waddon, Dorset; East Wellow, Hound, Netley, Totton, Hampshire; North Leigh, Oxfordshire; Gomshall, Surrey and Kingston Deverill, Latton, Wiltshire (q.v.).

BEAMINSTER 3479 1012. 1334 Subsidy £49.50. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 15–18.
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 13 Jun 1284, by K Edw I to Master William de Ewell and Thomas de Rupton, Ca of the ch of St Mary, Salisbury, and their successors (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 275). To be held at their prebends of Beaminster.
F (Charter) vfm, Nativity of Mary (8 Sept); gr 13 Jun 1284, by K Edw I to Master William de Ewell and Thomas de Rupton, Ca of the ch of St Mary, Salisbury, and their successors (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 275). To be held at their prebends of Beaminster.

BERE REGIS 3848 948. 1334 Subsidy £123. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471).
M (Letter Close) Wed; mercatum, gr 13 Jul 1215, by K John to men of Bere (RLC, i, p. 220b).
M (Charter) Wed; gr 24 May 1267, by K Hen III to John de Turbervill (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 75). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) v+7, Assumption of Mary (15 Aug); gr 24 May 1267, by K Hen III to John de Turbervill (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 75). To be held at the manor.

BLANDFORD FORUM 3886 1063. Borough 1244 (BF, p. 101). 1334 Subsidy £21.50. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 19–22.
M (Prescriptive: borough) Sun; recorded 24 Aug 1218, mercatum. Mandate to the sh of Dorset that the day of the market was henceforth to be changed from Sun to Sat (RLC, i, p. 368b).
F (Charter) vfm, Peter and Paul (29 Jun); gr 4 Feb 1307, by K Edw I to Henry de Lacy, earl of Lincoln (CChR, 1300–26, p. 78). To be held at the manor.
F (Prescriptive) All Saints (1 Nov); recorded 8 Jun 1415, held by K Hen V [previously by the dukes of Lancaster, who had succeeded to the estates of Henry de Lacy] (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 483). On 8 Jun 1415, K Hen V granted that in future the fair would be held on f Simon and Jude (28 Oct) in lieu.

BRIDPORT 3466 928. Borough early tenth century (Defence, pp. 192–3). Mint c.979–1100. 1334 Subsidy £99.71. References to ‘Brydian’ as an Anglo-Saxon burgh in the Burghal Hidage and to a mint at ‘Bridia’ in 924–39 probably relate to Bridport, although they could relate to Long Bredy, Dorset (Defence, p. 192; Challis, pp. 42, 47). In 1274–5, the borough of Bridport was allegedly being damaged by the markets at Charminster and Abbotsbury, Dorset (q.v.); these were causing 20s. and 30s. worth of damage each year respectively (RH, i, p. 103). In 1278, the A of Abbotsbury was called to answer by what warrant he held a market at Abbotsbury, Dorset (q.v.), raised to the detriment of the king’s borough at Bridport. The A denied that he claimed a market at Abbotsbury (QW, p. 185). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 23–9.
M (Prescriptive: borough, mint) Wed, Sat; recorded 1278, mercatum, held by K Edw I (QW, p. 182). In 1278, it was alleged that the king’s market at Bridport was being damaged by the market at Charminster, Dorset. In the same year, it was alleged that the king’s market, held on Wed and Sat, was being damaged by that at Lyme Regis, Dorset (q.v.), which was meant to be held on Mon, but was being held on every day of the week. The distance between Bridport and Lyme Regis was stated to be more than 5 but less than 6 miles [Bridport is 8 miles from Lyme Regis, across Lyme bay]. The case is not complete (QW, p. 185).

CERNE ABBAS 3666 1012. 1334 Subsidy £76.06. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 30–1.
M (Charter) forum, gr 1175, by K Hen II to A of Cerne. To be held in the town (Cartae Antiquae, 11–20, no. 495). Market, the day of which was not given, mentioned in 1228 (CRR, xiii, no. 1139). On 23 May 1270, K Hen III inspected and confirmed a charter of K Hen II granting the A of Cerne a market, the day of which was not given, in the town of Cerne (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 143).
F (Charter) f+4, Augustine the archbp the apostle of the English, in May (26 May); gr 28 Apr 1459, by K Hen VI to John Van’, A of Cerne and the C (CChR, 1427–1516, p. 130).

CHARMINSTER 3679 927. 1334 Subsidy £18.50.
M (Prescriptive) Sun; recorded 1274–5, mercatum, held by bp of Salisbury. The burgesses of Bridport, Dorset (q.v.) alleged that the bp of Salisbury’s market was damaging their borough to the value of 20s. each year (RH, i, p. 103). In 1278, it was alleged that the market of the bp of Salisbury at Charminster was damaging the king’s market at Bridport (QW, p. 182).

CHARMOUTH 3365 935. Borough 1320 (BF, p. 102). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 34–5.
M (Prescriptive: borough) Mon; recorded 2 May 1278, held by A and C of Ford, when K Edw I granted them a Wed market in lieu of that on Mon (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 213).
F (Prescriptive) vfm, Peter ad Vincula (1 Aug); recorded 2 May 1278, held by A and C of Ford, when K Edw I granted them a fair on the vfm Matthew (21 Sept) in lieu of that on the vfm Peter ad Vincula (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 213).

CHELBOROUGH 3545 1055. 1334 Subsidy £27.19. The identity of the Chelebiry in the 1252 charter is uncertain, but the spelling matches Chelborough more than any other place. East and West Chelborough contained a manorial centre, two motte and bailey castles and a hill-top fortification, suggesting that the site would have been an appropriate place for a fair. The site may have been in the possession of Margaret, countess of Lincoln and Pembroke, as dower following the death of one of her late husbands, both of whom had held lands in Dorset. The identification of the place as a non-existent ‘Chelbury’, Lincs, has no basis: L. E. Mitchell, Portraits of Medieval Women: family, marriage and politics in England, 1225-1350 (Basingstoke, 2003), p. 148.
F (Charter) vf+6, Andrew (30 Nov); gr 7 Jun 1284, by K Hen III to Margaret countess of Lincoln and Pembroke, Richard de Wilteshir and their heirs at their manor of Chelebiry (CChR, 1226–1257, p. 393).

CORFE 3961 820. Borough 1268 (BF, p. 102). 1334 Subsidy £21.50. Royal town associated with the castle built by K Wil I. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 44–8.
M (Letter Patent) Sat; mercatum, gr 1 Feb 1215, by K John to men of Corfe. To be held in the royal town (RLP, i, p. 127).
M (Charter) Mon; gr 20 Oct 1248, by K Hen III to men of Corfe (CChR, 1226–57, p. 334).
F (Charter) vf, Edward the martyr in the month of March (18 Mar); gr 20 Oct 1248, by K Hen III to men of Corfe (CChR, 1226–57, p. 334).

DEWLISH 3775 982. 1334 Subsidy £40.94.
M (Charter) Fri; gr 20 Sept 1264, by K Hen III to William de Gouiz (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 49). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Andrew the Apostle (30 Nov); gr 20 Sept 1264, by K Hen III to William de Goiuz (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 49). To be held at the manor.

DORCHESTER 3692 908. Borough 1066 (BF, p. 102; Darby, p. 364). Mint c.979–1154. 1334 Subsidy £92.17. Roman town. Probably a commercial settlement and royal centre, from the eighth century (L. Keen, ‘The Towns of Dorset’ in J. Haslam ed., Anglo- Saxon Towns in Southern England (Chichester, 1984), pp. 203–43). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 53–65.
M (Prescriptive: borough, mint) recorded 1228, mercatum, held by K Hen III (CRR, xiii, no. 1139).

EAST HEMSWORTH 3964 1058. The grid references refer to Hemsworth.
M (Charter) Tues; gr 30 Jun 1304, by K Edw I to John de Cormailles (CChR, 1300–26, p. 42). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vf, George (23 Apr); gr 30 Jun 1304, by K Edw I to John de Cormailles (CChR, 1300–26, p. 42). To be held at the manor.

EVERSHOT 3573 1045. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471).
M (Charter) Sat; gr 1 Jan 1286, by K Edw I to Herbert de Sancto Quintino (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 328). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Nativity of John the Baptist (24 Jun); gr 1 Jan 1286, by K Edw I to Herbert de Sancto Quintino (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 328). To be held at the manor.

FORDINGTON 3667 910. 1334 Subsidy £75.17.
M (Charter) Tues; gr 11 Oct 1355, by K Edw III to Isabel, Qu of England, the king’s mother (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 147). Grant made for her life, to be held at her town.
F (Charter) vfm, George (23 Apr); gr 11 Oct 1355, by K Edw III to Isabel, Qu of England, the king’s mother (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 147). Grant made for her life, to be held at her town.

FRAMPTON 3627 950. 1334 Subsidy £48.56. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471).
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 27 Feb 1351, by K Edw III to P of Frampton (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 124). To be held at the town.
F (Charter) vf, Bartholomew (24 Aug); gr 27 Feb 1351, by K Edw III to P of Frampton (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 124). To be held at the town.

FRIAR WADDON 3642 858.
M (Prescriptive) recorded 8 May 1382, held by A and M of St Edward now called Lettele [Netley Abbey] (CCR, 1381–5, p. 58). The abbey was to have its markets and the markets of its men at Friar Waddon and at other places, implying that there was at least one market at Friar Waddon (CCR, 1381–5, p. 58) For the other places, see Ashley, Dorset; East Wellow, Hound, Netley, Totton, Hampshire; North Leigh, Oxfordshire; Gomshall, Surrey and Kingston Deverill, Latton, Wiltshire (q.v.).

HANFORD 3845 1112. 1334 Subsidy £12.25.
M (Charter) Tues; gr 10 Jul 1241, by K Hen III to A and C of Tarrant (CChR, 1226–57, p. 260). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, James (25 Jul); gr 10 Jul 1241, by K Hen III to A and C of Tarrant (CChR, 1226–57, p. 260). To be held at the manor.

HILTON 3781 1030. 1334 Subsidy £77.25.
M (Charter) Tues; gr 20 May 1272, by K Hen III to A and C of Abbotsbury (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 181). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Mary Magdalene (22 Jul); gr 20 May 1272, by K Hen III to A and C of Abbotsbury (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 181). To be held at the manor.

HINTON MARTELL 4014 1062. 1334 Subsidy £38.63.
M (Charter) Tues; gr 22 Oct 1272, by K Hen III to Roger Martel of Hunton (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 184). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Mary Magdalen (22 Jul); gr 22 Oct 1272, by K Hen III to Roger Martel of Hunton (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 184). To be held at the manor.

HOLDITCH 3346 1027. Transferred from Devon to Dorset by 1972 (J. Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isels, Edinburgh, 1972), p. 346).
M (Charter) Wed; gr 15 Nov 1408, by K Hen IV to Thomas Brook, kn (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 441).
F (Charter) f, John before the Latin Gate (6 May); gr 15 Nov 1408, by K Hen IV to Thomas Brook, kn (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 441).
F (Charter) f, Melor (1 Oct); gr 15 Nov 1408, by K Hen IV to Thomas Brook, kn (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 441).

HOLT 4029 1040. Near Wimborne Minster, Dorset (q.v.).
F (Charter) vfm, James the Apostle (25 Jul); gr 28 Nov 1368, by K Edw III to John, duke of Lancaster, the king’s son (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 214). To be held at the chapel of St James.

HOLWELL 3705 1108. 1334 Subsidy £42.50. Holwell was a detached part of Somerset until 1844, when it was transferred to Dorset (CRR, xvi, no. 266; Guide, i, p. 112).
F (Prescriptive) feria recorded 29 Jul 1233, held by Huardum de Bikeleg (CR, 1231–4, p. 242). In Spring 1238, Huward de Bikel’ brought a suit against H[ubert] de Burgo, earl of Kent, concerning the latter’s seizure of the fair. Huward had previously recovered the fair following an inquiry, after the earl had initially diseised him (CRR, xvi, no. 266).

IWERNE COURTNEY 3860 1124. 1334 Subsidy £42.94.
M (Charter) Wed; gr 29 Mar 1261, by K Hen III to John de Curtenay (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 35). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Exaltation of the Cross (14 Sept); gr 29 Mar 1261, by K Hen III to John de Curtenay (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 35). To be held at the manor.

KINGSTON RUSSELL 3582 914.
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 16 Jun 1284, by K Edw I to William son of Ralph Russel (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 275). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Matthew (21 Sept); gr 16 Jun 1284, by K Edw I to William son of Ralph Russel (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 275). To be held at the manor.

LANGTON MATRAVERS 3998 789. 1334 Subsidy £27.25.
F (Prescriptive) nundinae recorded 1278, held by Ingelram le Waleys, who claimed that Albreda de Lyncoll granted him the manor and its liberties to be held of the king in chief. The quo warranto case was adjourned (QW, p. 181).

LITTON CHENEY 3551 908. 1334 Subsidy £40.80.
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 8 Feb 1304, by K Edw I to Ralph de Gorges (CChR, 1300–26, p. 39). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vf+6, Nativity of the Virgin (8 Sept); gr 8 Feb 1304, by K Edw I to Ralph de Gorges (CChR, 1300–26, p. 39). To be held at the manor.

LYME REGIS 3343 922. Borough 1 Jan 1285 (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 282). 1334 Subsidy £85. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 69–74.
M (Prescriptive: borough) recorded 1220, mercatum, held by A of Glastonia [Glastonbury], Robert Rozell’ and Robert de Mandevill’ (CRR, ix, p. 212). The market was alleged to have been set up without the king’s order and to be to the detriment of that at Axminster, Devon (q.v.).
M (Grant: other) Mon; gr 1249x50, by K Hen III to Elias de Rabayne. To be held at the manor. On 7 Aug 1271, K Hen III granted Elias de Rabayne a Wed market in lieu (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 175). In a 1278 quo warranto case, Elias de Rabayne was summoned to show by what warrant he held a market in the vill of Lyme, raised to the detriment of the market at Bridport, Dorset (q.v). It was alleged that Elias was meant to hold the market on Mon, but that he actually held a market on every day of the week. Elias claimed the Mon market by the grant of Hen III; he stated that he only held a Mon market and that the market was not detrimental to that at Bridport. However, a jury stated that the Mon market at Lyme Regis was detrimental to the Wed and Sat markets at Bridport, that the distance between the two vills was greater than 5 but less than 6 miles [Bridport is 8 miles from Lyme Regis, across Lyme bay]. The jury confirmed that Elias held his market at Bridport on every day of the week (QW, p. 185).

MAIDEN NEWTON 3596 978. 1334 Subsidy £98.56.
M (Grant: other) mercatum, gr 1221, by K Hen III to Geoffrey de Insula (PR, 5 Hen III, p. 92). To be held at the manor of ‘Neweton’ until the king came of age.
M (Charter) Tues; mercatum, gr 12 Dec 1242, by K Hen III to William de Insula (CPR, 1232–47, p. 349; Roles Gascons, 1242–54, no. 696). To be held at the manor. Mandate to the sh of Dorset to proclaim the market and cause it to be held.
F (Charter) vfm, Holy Rood day (14 Sept); feria gr 12 Dec 1242, by K Hen III to William de Insula (CPR, 1232–47, p. 349; Roles Gascons, 1242–54, no. 696). To be held at the manor. Mandate to the sh of Dorset to proclaim the fair and cause it to be held.
The location of the 1242 grant is given as ‘Neweton’ in the patent roll and identified as ‘? Buckland Newton’ in the index (CPR, 1232–47, p. 349). However, it appears that the identification was incorrect, as both the place name and the association with the Lisle (or Insula) family confirm the identification as Maiden Newton. On 16 Sept 1325, it was stated that Bartholomew de Insula, lately deceased, had held the manor of Maiden Newton (CIPM, viii, no. 593), while Elizabeth, widow of John Lysle, was holding Maiden Newton in 1431 (FA, ii, p. 104).

MELCOMBE REGIS 3682 801. Borough 1268 (BF, p. 103). 1334 Subsidy £95. Amalgamated with the borough of Weymouth, Dorset (q.v.) in 1571. See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 119–20.
M (Prescriptive: borough) Tues; recorded 1 Jun 1314, held by burgesses of Melcombe (CChR, 1300–26, p. 274). On 1 Jun 1314, K Edw II granted that the burgesses could hold a Mon market in lieu.
F (Charter) f+2, Trans of Edward (13 Oct); gr 1 Jun 1314, by K Edw II to burgesses of Melcombe (CChR, 1300–26, p. 274). It is assumed that the feast relates to K Edw the Confessor.
F (Charter) vfm+5, Botolph the A (17 Jun); gr 22 Jan 1318, by K Edw II to burgesses of Melcombe (CChR, 1300–26, p. 375).

MILTON ABBAS 3799 1023. 1334 Subsidy £107.25. The abbey of Milton, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin and to Saints Michael, Sampson and Branwalades, was founded in the tenth century. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 75–7.
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 27 Dec 1252, by K Hen III to A and C of Middleton [A and C of Milton] (CChR, 1226–57, p. 414). In 1278, the market was held by the A of Middleton (QW, p. 182).
M (Charter) Mon; gr 29 May 1280, by K Edw I to A and C of Middleton [A and C of Milton] (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 223).
F (Charter) vfm, Assumption of Mary (15 Aug); gr 27 Dec 1252, by K Hen III to A and C of Middleton [A and C of Milton] (CChR, 1226–57, p. 414).
F (Charter) f+2, Sampson (28 Jul); gr 29 May 1280, by K Edw I to A and C of Middleton [A and C of Milton] (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 223). To be held at the manor.

NEWTON 3004 851. The 'new town' and market that appear briefly to have existed in Purbeck in 1286 was probably at Shotover, Dorset (q.v.) rather than at the later settlement of Newton.

OKEFORD FITZPAINE 3808 1108. 1334 Subsidy £61.22.
M (Charter) Fri; gr 8 Oct 1282, by K Edw I to Robert son of Payn (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 262). To be held at the manor.
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 23 Aug 1337, by K Edw III to Robert son of Robert son of Payn (CChR, 1327–41, p. 427). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Nativity of John the Baptist (24 Jun); gr 8 Oct 1282, by K Edw I to Robert son of Payn (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 262). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) Whitsunday+2 (Easter dep); gr 23 Aug 1337, by K Edw III to Robert son of Robert son of Payn (CChR, 1327–41, p. 427). To be held at the manor.

POOLE 4012 908. Borough c.1248 (BF, p. 103). 1334 Subsidy £40.38. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 78–9.
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 1 Jul 1453, by K Hen VI to the mayor, bailiffs, burgesses and inhabitants of Poole (CChR, 1427–1516, p. 122).
F (Charter) f+7, Philip and James (1 May); gr 1 Jul 1453, by K Hen VI to the mayor, bailiffs, burgesses and inhabitants of Poole (CChR, 1427–1516, p. 122).
F (Charter) m+7, All Souls (2 Nov); gr 1 Jul 1453, by K Hen VI to the mayor, bailiffs, burgesses and inhabitants of Poole (CChR, 1427–1516, p. 122).

POWERSTOCK 3518 961. 1334 Subsidy £21.
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 6 Aug 1333, by K Edw III to John de Wroxhale, John his son and Juliana, wife of the said John and their heirs (CChR, 1327–41, p. 302). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vf+3, Philip and James the Apostles (1 May); gr 6 Aug 1333, by K Edw III to John de Wroxhale, John his son and Juliana, wife of the said John and their heirs (CChR, 1327–41, p. 302). To be held at the manor.

PUDDLETOWN 3759 943. 1334 Subsidy £65.13. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471).
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 4 Apr 1301, by K Edw I to P and C of Christchurch Twynham (CChR, 1300–26, p. 7). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Assumption (15 Aug); gr 4 Apr 1301, by K Edw I to P and C of Christchurch Twynham (CChR, 1300–26, p. 7). To be held at the manor.

RYME INTRINSECA 3582 1108. 1334 Subsidy £15.75.
M (Charter) Mon; gr 15 Mar 1298, by K Edw I to Humphrey de Bello Campo (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 471). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Ippolitus (13 Aug); gr 15 Mar 1298, by K Edw I to Humphrey de Bello Campo (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 471). To be held at the manor.

SHAFTESBURY 3862 1230. Borough early tenth century (Defence, pp. 216–17). Mint 924–1154. 1334 Subsidy £200. Shaftesbury abbey was founded in the late ninth century at what was probably an established settlement; the burh was established by the early tenth century (it was noted in the Burghal Hidage); borough in Domesday Book. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 84–90.
M (Prescriptive: borough, mint) recorded 3 Nov 1269, held by John de Burgo. Market and its toll referred to in a charter inspected and confirmed by K Hen III on this date (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 126).

SHAPWICK 3936 1017. 1334 Subsidy £105.25.
M (Charter) Tues; gr 2 Nov 1267, by K Hen III to Edmund, the king’s son (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 84). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Michael (29 Sept); gr 2 Nov 1267, by K Hen III to Edmund, the king’s son (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 84).
F (Prescriptive) Bartholomew (24 Aug); nundine recorded 28 Nov 1297, held by Edmund, the king’s brother [earl of Lancaster], lately deceased (CIPM, iii, no. 423).

SHERBORNE 3638 1164. Borough 1227–8 (BF, p. 104). Important settlement from the eighth century. Seat of bishopric 705–1078 (jointly with Ramsbury, Wiltshire (q.v.) from 1058); then moved to Old Sarum, Wiltshire (q.v.). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 91–100.
M (Prescriptive: borough) mercatum, recorded c.1147–8 held by Joc[elin], bp of Salisbury. In c.1147–8 M[abel] countess of Gloucester and William her son restored the market to Joc[elin], bp of Salisbury (R.B. Patterson ed., Earldom of Gloucester Charters (Oxford, 1973), no. 171).
M (Charter) Tues; gr 7 Jun 1300, by K Edw I to S bp of Salisbury (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 483). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) 4+fm, Trans of Thomas the Martyr (7 Jul); gr 4 May 1240, by K Hen III to Robert bp of Salisbury (CChR, 1226–57, p. 252).
In 1240 Robert, bp of Salisbury quitclaimed his market at Ramsbury, Wiltshire (q.v.) in return for a fair at Ramsbury and another at Sherborne (CChR, 1226–57, p. 252).

SHILLINGSTONE 3824 1114. 1334 Subsidy £43.94. In the Middle Ages Shillingstone was known as Okeford Shilling.
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 5 Oct 1327, by K Edw III to Brian de Turbervill (CChR, 1327–41, p. 55). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Barnabas the Apostle (11 Jun); gr 5 Oct 1327, by K Edw III to Brian de Turbervill (CChR, 1327–41, p. 55). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) f, Denis (9 Oct); gr 5 Oct 1327, by K Edw III to Brian de Turbervill (CChR, 1327–41, p. 55). To be held at the manor.

SHOTOVER 3993 859. In Purbeck. In January 1286 K Edw I attempted to establish a town at 'Gotowre super Mare' and in May of the same year granted the burgesses of the Nova Villa in Dorset the liberties of the citizens of London, as observed at Melcombe (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 337). The two places were evidently identical and 'Gotowre' probably corresponded to Shotover (surviving in the modern place-name Shotover Moor) on the boundary of Corfe and Studland, where the Claywell valley issues into Poole Harbour, rather than to the later settlement of Newton a mile away. The project appears to have failed almost immediately. See T.C. Walsh, 'Gotowre Super Mare: a new town in Dorset commissioned in 1286', Notes & Queries for Somerset and Dorset 34 (1996–2000), pp. 218–21. See also Beresford, pp. 427–8; BF, p. 103; Historic Towns in Dorset, p. 77.
  M (Charter) gr 1286, by K Edw I. On 7 Jan 1286, men were appointed to lay out the new town with a harbour and sites for a market and church, in a place called 'Gotowre super Mare' in the parish of Studland (CPR, 1281-92, p. 217). On 10 May 1286 K Edw I granted the burgesses of Nova Villa, Dorset, a market in their borough on Tuesdays (CChR, 1257-1300, p. 337).
M (Charter) gr 1286, by K Edw I. On 10 May 1286 K Edw I granted the burgesses of Nova Villa, Dorset, a market in their borough on Fridays (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 337).
F (Charter) v+4 St Lawrence (10 August); gr 10 May 1286, by K Edw I to the burgesses of Nova Villa, Dorset (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 337).

STALBRIDGE 3736 1176. 1334 Subsidy £37.50. See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 100–01.
M (Charter) Tues; gr 1 Jun 1290, by K Edw I to A and C of Shireburn (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 349). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Bartholomew (24 Aug); gr 1 Jun 1290, by K Edw I to A and C of Shireburn. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 349). On 18 Jul 1302, K Edw I granted the A and C of Shireburn a fair at their manor on vfm Exaltation of the Cross (14 Sept) in lieu (CChR, 1300–26, p. 26).

STURMINSTER MARSHALL 3945 995. 1334 Subsidy £65.
F (Letter Close) Tues, Wed and Thurs in Pentecost week (Easter dep); feria gr 3 Mar 1218, by K Hen III to W[illiam] Marshal earl of Pembroke, our keeper and the keeper of our kingdom. Mandate to the sh of Dorset to make the fair known throughout his bailiwick (RLC, i, p. 353).

STURMINSTER NEWTON 3785 1145. 1334 Subsidy £12.23. Granted by K Alfred to his son in his will. Held by Glastonbury abbey from the tenth century. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 101–5.
M (Prescriptive) recorded thirteenth century (Historic Towns in Dorset, p. 104). No further information for the market.
F (Charter) vfm, Barnabas (11 Jun); gr 26 Jan 1332, by K Edw III to A and C of Glastonbury (CChR, 1327–41, p. 259). To be held at the manor.

SWYRE 3528 882. 1334 Subsidy £17.95.
F (Charter) vfm, Holy Trinity (Easter dep); gr 10 May 1272, by K Hen III to John de la Linde (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 181). To be held at the manor.

TARRANT GUNVILLE 3925 1127. 1334 Subsidy £58.25.
M (Charter) Wed; gr 12 Apr 1233, by K Hen III to Brian de Insula. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1226–57, p. 176). Mandate to the sh of Dorset to read the charter in full session of the county court and proclaim the market and cause it to be held, 12 Apr 1233 (CR, 1231–4, p. 207).
M (Charter) Tues; gr 10 Mar 1308, by K Edw II to Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, the king’s nephew (CChR, 1300–26, p. 109). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Martin (11 Nov); gr 12 Apr 1233, by K Hen III to Brian de Insula. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1226–57, p. 176). Mandate to the sh of Dorset to read the charter in full session of the county court and proclaim the fair and cause it to be established, 12 Apr 1233 (CR, 1231–4, p. 207).
F (Charter) vfm, Tecla (15 Oct); gr 10 Mar 1308, by K Edw II to Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, the king’s nephew. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1300–26, p. 109). The feast day is probably that of St Tecla, an eighth century nun of Wimborne, rather than that of St Thecla of Iconium, virgin and martyr, although the latter was commemorated in the West Country (D.H. Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (Oxford, 1979) p. 368).

THORNCOMBE 3376 1033. 1334 Subsidy £22.50. Transferred from Devon to Dorset in 1844 (Guide, i, p. 120).
M (Charter) Wed; gr 5 Feb 1313, by K Edw II to A and C of Ford (CChR, 1300–26, p. 204).
F (Charter) Tues in Easter week+5 (Easter dep); gr 5 Feb 1313, by K Edw II to A and C of Ford (CChR, 1300–26, p. 205).

WAREHAM 3923 875. Borough early tenth century. Mint 924–39, 970s–1154. 1334 Subsidy £63.50. Probably a ch from the seventh century, but little evidence of urban settlement before the early tenth century when it was recorded in the Burghal Hidage. Borough in Domesday Book (Defence, p. 211; Darby, p. 365). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 105–13.
M (Prescriptive: borough, mint) No further information for the market.
F (Prescriptive) feria recorded 1200, held by the honor of Gloucester (K John holding by right of his first wife, Isabel of Gloucester) (PR, 2 John, p. 127). Fair mentioned in 1201 and 1207 (PR, 3 John, p. 54; PR, 9 John, p. 219).

WEST HEMSWORTH 3970 1058.
F (Charter) vfm, Mary Magdalene (22 Jul); gr 21 Sept 1303, by K Edw I to John Huse (CChR, 1300–26, p. 37). To be held at the manor.

WEYMOUTH 3679 793. Borough 1252 (BF, p. 104). 1334 Subsidy £65. Amalgamated with the borough of Melcombe Regis, Dorset (q.v.) in 1571. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 114–19.
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 8 Jun 1248, by K Hen III to P and C of St Swithin, Winchester (CChR, 1226–57, p. 331). To be held at Weymouth, in the manor of Wyke Regis.
F (Charter) vfm, Nicholas (6 Dec); gr 8 Jun 1248, by K Hen III to P and C of St Swithin, Winchester (CChR, 1226–57, p. 331). To be held at Weymouth, in the manor of Wyke Regis.

WHITCHURCH 3396 953. Borough 1265 (BF, p. 105).
M (Charter) Thurs; gr 4 Jan 1311, by K Edw II to Robert son of Payn (CChR, 1300–26, p. 167). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vf+3, Invention of the Cross (3 May); gr 4 Jan 1311, by K Edw II to Robert son of Payn (CChR, 1300–26, p. 167). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vf+3, Exaltation of the Cross (14 Sept); gr 4 Jan 1311, by K Edw II to Robert son of Payn (CChR, 1300–26, p. 167). To be held at the manor.

WIMBORNE MINSTER 4009 999. Borough 1086. 1334 Subsidy £67.25. Important centre with double monastery from before 705. Borough in Domesday Book. In 1362, the town consisted of two boroughs, East Borough and West Borough, which were probably separate (BF, p. 105; Darby, p. 365). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). See also Historic Towns in Dorset, pp. 121–7.
M (Prescriptive: borough) Sun; recorded 24 Aug 1218, mercatum. Mandate to the sh of Dorset that the day of the market was henceforth changed from Sun to Mon (RLC, i, p. 368b). On 7 Jul 1219, the day of the market was changed from Mon to Sat (RLC, i, p. 395). Market ordered to be moved from inside the cemetery to the walls outside of the cemetery on 3 Nov 1224 (RLC, ii, p. 4). On 17 Jun 1236, in a case between J. earl of Lincoln and Margaret his wife and the P of Wimborne, the former alleged that a new market had been raised in Wimborne, to the detriment of their existing market in the town (CR, 1234–7, p. 360).
F (Prescriptive) feria recorded 3 Nov 1224 (RLC, ii, p. 4). The fair was accustomed to be held within the cemetery, but was to be moved to the walls outside the cemetery.

WINTERBORNE ST MARTIN 3647 890. 1334 Subsidy £65.50.
M (Charter) Fri; gr 20 Nov 1267, by K Hen III to Robert son of Payn (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 85). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vf+6, Martin in winter (11 Nov); gr 20 Nov 1267, by K Hen III to Robert son of Payn (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 85). To be held at the manor.

WITCHAMPTON 3989 1064. 1334 Subsidy £29.
M (Charter) Mon; gr 15 Nov 1347, by K Edw III to John Mautravers ‘le filz’ (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 70). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) f, Assumption (15 Aug); gr 15 Nov 1347, by K Edw III to John Mautravers ‘le filz’ (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 70). To be held at the manor.

WOOL 3848 864. 1334 Subsidy £105.
M (Charter) Mon; gr 15 Nov 1280, by K Edw I to A and C of Binedon (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 236). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Invention of the Cross (3 May); gr 15 Nov 1280, by K Edw I to A and C of Binedon (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 236). To be held at the manor.

YETMINSTER 3594 1106. 1334 Subsidy £62.50.
M (Charter) Mon; gr 7 Jun 1300, by K Edw I to S bp of Salisbury (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 483). To be held at the manor.
F (Charter) vfm, Trans of Andrew (30 Nov (?)); gr 7 Jun 1300, by K Edw I to S bp of Salisbury. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 483). As a date for the ‘translation’ of St Andrew has not been found, the usual date associated with the saint has been used.

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