| ABERAVON / ABERAFAN 2758
1900. Borough formally incorporated 1283x1314. Borough probably grew up
next to the Norman motte and bailey castle. Nothing remains of the early
borough, which was destroyed by the development of Port Talbot. It was
also being overcome by the sea and sand by 1491–2 (Soulsby, p. 64;
R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), p. 359). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) No
further information for the market. |
| F | (Prescriptive) Jun;
recorded 20 Apr 1373 when the fair, which was held for two days in Jun,
was formally recognised by Edward, lord Despenser, in a grant of
privileges to the burgesses; the tolls were reserved to lord Despenser
(R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), p. 359). |
| F | (Prescriptive) Nov; recorded 20
Apr 1373 when the fair, which was held for two days in Nov, was formally
recognised by Edward, lord Despenser, in a grant of privileges to the
burgesses; the tolls were reserved to lord Despenser (R.A. Griffiths,
‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in
T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), p.
359). |
| ABERFFRAW 2353
3690. |
| M | (Charter) Thurs; gr 8 Jun 1342,
by K Edw III to Master Roger de Heyton, king’s surgeon. To be held
for life at the manor (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 11). A market was
recorded in 1346 (M. Richards, Atlas of Anglesey (Anglesey, 1972),
p. 67). |
| F | (Charter) f+2, Edward, king and
confessor (13 Oct); gr 8 Jun 1342, by K Edw III to Master Roger de Heyton,
king’s surgeon (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 11). To be held for
life at the manor. The date is assumed to be that of the translation of
Edward the Confessor. |
| F | (Charter) f+2, Corpus Christi
(Easter dep); gr 8 Jun 1342, by K Edw III to Master Roger de Heyton,
king’s surgeon (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 11). To be held for
life at the manor. |
| ABERGWILI 2440 2209.
Borough 1326. A small town in the medieval period, which was probably
established after the bp of St David’s built a collegiate ch in 1287
(Soulsby, pp. 68–9). |
| M | (Charter) Wed; gr 29 Apr 1313, by
K Edw II to David, bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor
(CChR, 1300–26, p. 216). A weekly market held by the bp of St
David’s, according to the king’s charter, was recorded in 1326.
However, this was said to be on Fri. All comers to the market were free
from toll (Willis-Bund, p. 243). |
| F | (Charter) vf+3,
Maurice (22 Sept); gr 20 May 1290, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St
David’s (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 343). Fair granted again by
K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s on 20 Sept 1291 (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 405). In 1326, the bp of St David’s was holding a
fair on the feast of Maurice which lasted seven days. The tolls were worth
6d. per annum (Willis-Bund, p. 243). |
| ABERGWYNGREGYN 2654
3726. Also known as Aber. |
| M | (Charter) Tues; gr 13 Mar 1339,
by K Edw III to Walter de Mauny (CChR, 1327–41, p. 461). To be
held at the manor. |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Holy Trinity
(Easter dep); gr 13 Mar 1339, by K Edw III to Walter de Mauny
(CChR, 1327–41, p. 461). To be held at the manor. |
| F | (Charter) vf, Nicholas (6 Dec); gr 13 Mar 1339, by K Edw III
to Walter de Mauny (CChR, 1327–41, p. 461). To be held at the
manor. |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Denis (9 Oct); gr
13 Mar 1339, by K Edw III to Walter de Mauny (CChR, 1327–41,
p. 461). To be held at the manor. |
| ABERYSTWYTH 2584 2820.
Borough 28 Dec 1277 (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 206). The original
settlement in this area was at Llanbadarn Fawr, site of an important Welsh
monastery. A Benedictine priory was founded here by the Normans in
c.1111. At least two Norman castles were constructed in the vicinity.
In 1277, Edmund, earl of Lancaster planned a new town two miles away on
the coast. It retained the name of Llanbadarn Fawr until the early
fifteenth century, when it became known officially as Aberystwyth. Some
burgage plots remained untenanted in the early fourteenth century and the
town had experienced a period of contraction by the sixteenth century
(Griffiths, pp. 19–45; Soulsby, pp. 69–72). Market town
c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). See also Griffiths, pp.
19–45. |
| M | (Charter) Mon; gr 28 Dec 1277, by
K Edw I to burgesses of Aberystwith (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 206).
Market recorded in 1303–5 (M. Rhys, Ministers’ Accounts for
West Wales, 1277 to 1306, Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion (London,
1936), i, pp. 294, 362). On 4 Aug 1305, Edw, prince of Wales, earl of
Chester, ordained that the market at Aberystwith should be held and
proclaimed as granted to the burgesses (CChR, 1341–1417, p.
263). Leland recorded the market (Griffiths, p. 44). |
| F |
(Charter) vf+2, Whitsuntide (Easter dep); gr 28 Dec 1277, by K Edw I to
burgesses of Aberystwith (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 206). A fair at
Pentecost was recorded in 1298–1300 and 1303–5 (M. Rhys,
Ministers’ Accounts for West Wales, 1277 to 1306, Honourable
Society of Cymmrodorion (London, 1936), i, pp. 94, 294, 362). |
| F | (Charter) vf+6, Michaelmas (29 Sept); gr 28 Dec 1277, by K
Edw I to burgesses of Aberystwith (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 206). A
fair on the feast of Michael was recorded in 1298–1300 and
1303–5 (M. Rhys, Ministers’ Accounts for West Wales, 1277 to
1306, Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion (London, 1936), i, pp. 75,
94, 294, 362). |
| Unspecified fair(s) were recorded in 1300–1 (M. Rhys,
Ministers’ Accounts for West Wales, 1277 to 1306, Honourable
Society of Cymmrodorion (London, 1936), i, p. 199). |
| BANGOR 2581 3721.
Probably grew up around the monastery of St Deiniol, founded in the sixth
century, which became the main ecclesiastical centre in North Wales.
Episcopal see, to which the first Norman bp was appointed in 1092. Motte
constructed in late eleventh century. Site may have seen more development
during the twelfth century, prompted by the building of a new cathedral
ch. Described as a ‘town’ in 1211, when it was burnt by K John.
K Edw I is said to have refortified the town in 1284. During the
fourteenth century, the right of the burgesses of Bangor to trade in other
towns of the principality was repeatedly conceded by the Crown. Bangor was
attacked by Owain Glyndwr in 1402 (Soulsby, pp. 76–8; W. Rees, ed.,
Calendar of Ancient Petitions Relating to Wales (Cardiff, 1975),
pp. 459–60; T. Jones ed., Brut y Tywysogyon or The Chronicle of
the Princes, Peniarth MS. 20 Version (Cardiff, 1952), p. 85). Market
town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M |
(Prescriptive: borough) No further information for the market. |
| F | (Charter) vf+2, Luke (18 Oct); gr 10 Aug 1330, by K Edw III
to Matthew, bp of Bangor. To be held at the manor (CChR,
1327–41, p. 187). Charter confirmed by K Ric II on 18 Dec 1378
(CPR, 1377–81, p. 291). |
| F | (Letter Patent) Trillo
(15 Jun); gr 8 Oct 1351, by Edw, prince of Wales to Matthew, bp of Bangor.
This was a confirmation of an agreement between the justices-in-eyre in
North Wales and the bp. It was confirmed by K Ric II on 18 Dec 1378
(CPR, 1377–81, p. 291). The feast of Trillo was celebrated
elsewhere on 15 Jun (D.H. Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints
(Oxford, 1979), p. 383). |
| BEAUMARIS 2605 3761.
Small Welsh settlement of Cerrig-y-gwyddyl here was destroyed when
Beaumaris was constructed. Nearby Llanfaes, Wales
(q.v.) was also destroyed and the inhabitants moved to Newborough, Wales (q.v.). Beaumaris was the last
town planned by K Edw I. Work on the new castle began in 1295, but it was
never completed. Town burnt by Owain Glyndwr in 1403 and retaken in 1405
(Soulsby, pp. 78–80). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p.
472). |
| M | (Letter Close) Sat; gr 23 Nov
1296, by K Edw I. Market formerly held at Llanfaes,
Wales (q.v.) on Sat was to be moved here. Mandate to the justice of
North Wales to cause the market to be proclaimed and held (CCR,
1296–1302, p. 1). |
| F | (Letter Close) vfm+5, Assumption
(15 Aug); gr 23 Nov 1296, by K Edw I. To be held at the town. Mandate to
the justice of North Wales to cause the fair to be proclaimed and held
(CCR, 1296–1302, p. 1). |
| F | (Letter Close) vfm+5,
Nativity of Mary (8 Sept); gr 23 Nov 1296, by K Edw I. To be held at the
town. Mandate to the justice of North Wales to cause the fair to be
proclaimed and held (CCR, 1296–1302, p.
1). |
| BRECON / ABERHONDDU 3044
2289. Borough c.1100 (Beresford, p. 536). Area occupied in Roman
times. May have been the base of Brocan, a semi-legendary Welsh leader.
Site of Norman castle from 1093. Town grew up by the castle on the west
bank of the river Honddu. In the late twelfth or early thirteenth century,
a new town developed on the east side of the river. Burnt by Llywelyn ab
Iorwerth in 1231 and attacked by Owain Glyndwr in 1404. Market place was
triangular and situated next to the ch of St Mary, in the centre of the
medieval town. Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). See also
Griffiths, pp. 47–70. |
| M | (Prescriptive:
borough) recorded 1336, when the market tolls were worth £5 19s.
3d. (Beresford, p. 536). Griffiths states that there were two
market days, Wed and Sat (Griffiths, p. 58). |
| F |
(Prescriptive) 8+f+8, Nativity of John the Baptist (24 Jun);
nundinae recorded ante 12 Apr 1308, held by burgesses of
Brecon (W. Rees, ‘The charters of the boroughs of Brecon and
Llandovery’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, ii
(1923–5), pp. 244–9). The fair was stated to last eight days
before and eight days after the feast. However, it is assumed that the
fair was also held on the feast day itself. The fair was mentioned in a
charter of Edward, duke of Buckingham, earl of Hereford, Stafford,
Northampton and lord of Brecon on 18 Jul 1517. |
| F |
(Prescriptive) 8+f+8, Decollation of John the Baptist (29 Aug);
nundinae recorded ante 12 Apr 1308, held by burgesses of
Brecon (W. Rees, ‘The charters of the boroughs of Brecon and
Llandovery’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, ii
(1923–5), pp. 244–9). The fair was stated to last eight days
before and eight days after the feast. It is assumed that the fair was
also held on the feast day itself. The fair was mentioned in a charter of
Edward, duke of Buckingham, earl of Hereford, Stafford, Northampton and
lord of Brecon on 18 Jul 1517. |
| F | (Charter) 8+f+8,
Leonard (6 Nov); nundinae gr 12 Apr 1308, by Humphrey de Bohun,
earl of Hereford and Essex, Constable of England and lord of Brecon to
burgesses of Brecon (W. Rees, ‘The charters of the boroughs of Brecon
and Llandovery’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, ii
(1923–5), p. 244). It is assumed that the fair was also held on the
feast day itself. The fair was to be held just as the burgesses already
held the fairs on the Nativity and Decollation of John the Baptist. The
fair was mentioned in a charter of Edward, duke of Buckingham, earl of
Hereford, Stafford, Northampton and lord of Brecon on 18 Jul
1517. |
| CAERLEON / CAERLLION
3341 1905. Borough 1324 (CChR, 1300–26, p. 461). Major Roman
settlement (Isca) with fort. Traditionally the site of a collegiate ch
founded by St Dubricius in the sixth century. The Normans had arrived by
1086 and a manor is noted in Domesday Book. A motte was built by the Roman
fort in the late eleventh century. This castle was held by the Welsh in
the twelfth and early thirteenth century. The town is first mentioned in
1171. This was probably burnt by the Welsh in 1231. It was attacked by
Owain Glyndwr in 1402. The town was small (Soulsby, pp. 86–8). Market
town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). |
| M |
(Prescriptive: borough) recorded 27 Jan 1296, held by Gilbert de Clare,
earl of Gloucester and Hertford, lately deceased (CIPM, iii, no.
371). |
| F | (Prescriptive) recorded 27 Jan
1296, held by Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, lately
deceased (CIPM, iii, no. 371). |
| On 27 Jan 1296, it was stated that
the market and fair paid 5s. annual toll (CIPM, iii, no.
371). |
| CAERNARFON 2479 3628. Borough 1284
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 278). Site of a Roman fort called Segontium,
maintained until the late fourth century. It may have been used as a civil
settlement thereafter, as the ch of St Peblig was constructed nearby. Hugh
de Avranches, earl of Chester built a motte in c.1090. He may also
have granted borough status to Caernarfon. However, the main settlement
appears to have developed after the castle was taken by the Welsh. This
became a royal residence and the administrative centre of Gwynedd. Following
the conquest of Wales, K Edw I ordered work to begin on a new castle and
town in 1283. It became the administrative and judicial centre of the Principality
of North Wales. Despite an attack in 1294,
the town quickly developed. There was a small market place within the walls
and a larger one outside. A small suburb beyond the east gate had grown
up by the early fifteenth century, which was destroyed during the Glyndwr
revolt. Caernarfon remained more important as a political, than commercial,
centre (M.D. Lobel, Historic Towns: maps and plans of towns and cities
in the British Isles: with historical commentaries from earliest times to
1800 (London, 1969), pp. 1–6; Soulsby, pp. 88–91; Griffiths,
pp. 73–101). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M |
(Prescriptive: borough) No further information for the market. |
| F | (Prescriptive) recorded post 1352. Lobel states that
there were four annual fairs after 1352, but provides no further details
(M.D. Lobel, Historic Towns: maps and plans of towns and cities in the
British Isles: with historical commentaries from earliest times to
1800 (London, 1969), p. 5). |
| CAERPHILLY / CAERFFILI 3156 1870.
Borough ante 1281. In 1268, the first castle was begun by the earl
of Gloucester. This was destroyed by the Welsh in 1270 and reconstructed
the following year, when a town was laid out. Welsh attacks in the late
thirteenth century and in 1316 prevented the growth of the town (Soulsby,
pp. 92–3). In 1428–9, the income from the markets and fairs at
Caerphilly was farmed for £4 each year. By the early sixteenth century,
the settlement had greatly declined and it lost its borough status (R.A.
Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), p. 355). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough)
recorded ante 1314. Before his death in 1314, Earl Gilbert de Clare
granted the townsfolk of Caerphilly freedom to buy and sell in the market
(R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), p. 341). Soulsby states that the market continued until
the mid twentieth century (Soulsby, p. 92). |
| F |
(Prescriptive) recorded 1428–9 (R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval
boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed.,
Glamorgan County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), p.
355). |
| CARDIFF / CAERDYDD 3181 1766. Mint
under K William I (d. 1087) and until 1140s. Borough by
1120x37. In the 1080s, the Normans reoccupied a Roman fort and constructed
a motte here. The town and castle were burnt during a Welsh attack in 1185.
Cardiff developed quickly in the thirteenth century, becoming the largest
town in Wales. Much of the town was burnt by Owain Glyndwr in 1404. In Mar
1349, the tolls of the market and fair were estimated at 6s. 8d.;
by 1491 the fair tolls had declined severely (Soulsby pp. 95–9; R.A.
Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’,
in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971),
p. 348). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). See also Griffiths,
pp. 103–28. |
| M |
(Prescriptive: mint,
borough) by 1087. On 19 Apr 1340, trading outside
the markets of Cardiff was outlawed in the charter of liberties granted
by Hugh, lord Despenser (R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of
Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County
History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), pp. 336, 346). |
| F | (Prescriptive)
feria recorded 1121–2x1147, held by Robert fitz Regis, earl of
Gloucester, who granted to Tewkesbury abbey the tithe of the rents and
tolls of his fair at Cardiff (R.B. Patterson ed., Earldom of Gloucester
Charters (Oxford, 1973), no. 283). In 1147–83, this grant was
confirmed by a charter of Earl William of Gloucester (R.B. Patterson,
Earldom of Gloucester Charters (Oxford, 1973), no. 268) A fair
(nundine) was recorded in 1188 (PR, 34 Hen II, p. 11). In
1189–99, John, count of Gloucester confirmed the charter of Earl
William of Gloucester (R.B. Patterson, Earldom of Gloucester
Charters (Oxford, 1973), no. 272). A fair held by Gilbert de Clare, earl
of Gloucester and Hertford, is recorded on 3 Feb 1296. The feast of the
fair was not given (CIPM, iii, no. 371).
These fairs may have been held on
either of the feasts below. |
| F | (Prescriptive) 23 Jun;
recorded 19 April 1340. This was one of two fairs recorded in a charter of
liberties granted to Cardiff by Hugh, lord Despenser on 19 Apr 1340. The
normal trading of the borough was suspended whilst the fairs were held
(R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), p. 346). |
| F | (Prescriptive) 7 Sept; recorded
19 Apr 1340. This was one of two fairs recorded in a charter of liberties
granted to Cardiff by Hugh, lord Despenser on 19 Apr 1340. The normal
trading of the borough was suspended whilst the fairs were held (R.A.
Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), p. 343). |
| A fair held by Gilbert de Clare, earl of
Gloucester and Hertford, is recorded on 3 Feb 1296. The feast of the fair
was not given; it could relate to either of the fairs above (CIPM,
iii, no. 371). |
| CARDIGAN / ABERTEIFI
2179 2461. Borough 9 Dec 1284 (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 280). A
Norman motte was constructed in 1093 a mile west of the present town, at
Hen Castell. The first castle at Cardigan was built in the reign of K Hen
I. The settlement probably developed around the castle. Taken by the Welsh
from 1165, the castle was not secure in English hands until the 1240s.
Cardigan grew in the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries, but
thereafter contracted (Soulsby, pp. 99–101). Market town
c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Prescriptive:
borough) recorded twelfth century (Soulsby, p. 99). |
| M |
(Letter Close) Sat; mercatum, gr 4 Feb 1227, by K Hen III to men of
Cardigan. This letter close is to the men of Cardigan, but no mention is
made of their heirs or successors. It is therefore unclear if this was a
grant in hereditary right (RLC, ii, p. 168b). It is possible that
this was a recognition of an existing market. A market was recorded in
1303–5 (M. Rhys, Ministers’ Accounts for West Wales, 1277 to
1306, Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion (London, 1936), i, pp. 298,
366). |
| F | (Letter Close) vf, Holy Trinity
(Easter dep); feria gr 4 Feb 1227, by K Hen III to men of Cardigan.
This letter close is to the men of Cardigan, but no mention is made of
their heirs or successors. It is therefore unclear if this was a grant in
hereditary right (RLC, ii, p. 168b). A fair on f Holy Trinity was
recorded in 1298–1301 and 1303–5 (M. Rhys, Ministers’
Accounts for West Wales, 1277 to 1306, Honourable Society of
Cymmrodorion (London, 1936), i, pp. 82, 99, 202, 298,
366). |
| CARMARTHEN /
CAERFYRDDIN 2408 2200. Borough twelfth century. Roman fort and
regional centre. Traditionally a Welsh settlement around ch of St
Teulyddog, which remained as ‘Old Carmarthen’ throughout the
medieval period. Site of Norman castle from 1094, below which a new
settlement developed which was granted its first privileges by K Hen I in
1109. This borough grew into a small town in the twelfth and thirteenth
centuries. Formally granted a borough charter in mid thirteenth century.
After the Edwardian conquest, it became the focus for royal government in
south Wales. In 1326, the town was made a staple port licensed to deal in
wool, pelts, leather, lead and tin. As an adminstrative and economic
centre, it grew rapidly in the fourteenth century. With Cardiff and
Caernarfon, Carmarthen was the most urbanised area in Wales (Soulsby, pp.
101–4). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). See also
Griffiths, pp. 131–63. |
| M | (Prescriptive:
borough) Sat; recorded thirteenth century (Griffiths, p. 147). |
| M | (Charter) Mon; gr 20 Sept 1394, by K Ric II to P and C of St
John the Evangelist of Carmarthen (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 349).
|
| F | (Prescriptive) Peter’s
Chains (1 Aug); nundinae recorded 1298–9 (M. Rhys,
Ministers’ Accounts for West Wales, 1277 to 1306, Honourable
Society of Cymmrodorion (London, 1936), i, p. 88). The fair later lasted
for 7 days (Griffiths, pp. 146–7). |
| F |
(Prescriptive) George (23 Apr); nundinae recorded 1298–9 (M.
Rhys, Ministers’ Accounts for West Wales, 1277 to 1306,
Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion (London, 1936), i, p. 88). |
| F | (Charter) vf, Decollation of John the Baptist (29 Aug); gr 20
Sept 1394, by K Ric II to P and C of St John the Evangelist of Carmarthen
(CChR, 1341–1417, p. 349). |
| COWBRIDGE / Y
BONT–FAEN 2985 1743. Borough ante 1262–3. Roman
settlement had disappeared by the end of the fourth century. The medieval
settlement, which may already have existed, developed rapidly from the mid
twelfth century onwards under the lordship of Richard de Clare. Earl
Richard may have granted the burgesses of Cowbridge the liberties of Cardiff, Wales (q.v.) in 1254. The borough quickly
developed into an important commercial centre. In the early years of the
fourteenth century, it was one of the foremost towns in Wales. The town
walls may have been built in the late thirteenth century; there was
probably suburban growth from very early on in its history. It had
contracted by the sixteenth century (Soulsby, pp. 115–17; R.A.
Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), p. 340; Beresford, p. 554). Market town c.1600
(Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) recorded
5 Feb 1296, held by Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford
(CIPM, iii, no. 371). |
| F | (Prescriptive)
recorded 5 Feb 1296, held by Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and
Hertford (CIPM, iii, no. 371). |
| CRICCIETH 2498 3378.
Borough 22 Nov 1284 (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 280). Welsh castle
constructed here by 1239, with a ch and possibly an associated settlement.
After capture by K Edw I in 1283, the castle was extended. A new borough
was founded in 1284. The town was not walled. It had hardly grown by 1294
and remained small in 1319. In 1404, the town and castle were burnt by
Glyndwr. Although the castle was not repaired, the borough made some
recovery. In the 1530s, Leland described Criccieth as ‘clene
decayed’ (Soulsby, pp. 117–19). |
| M |
(Prescriptive: borough) Thurs (Soulsby, p. 118). |
| F |
(Prescriptive) Soulsby states that there were two annual fairs, but
provides no further information (Soulsby, p. 118). |
| F |
(Prescriptive) Soulsby states that there were two annual fairs, but
provides no further information (Soulsby, p. 118). |
| CRICKHOWELL 3217 2184.
Borough 26 Nov 1281. On 26 Nov 1281, the burgesses and bailiffs of the
town of Crickhowell received a murage grant. Crickhowell went into decline
after the castle was attacked in 1403 (CPR, 1281–92, p. 2;
Soulsby, p. 119). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). See also
Soulsby, pp. 119–20. |
| M | (Charter) Thurs; gr ante
10 Feb 1281, by Reginald son of Peter to Hugh de Turberville. Market held
at the manor. Hugh granted the market to Grimbald Pauncefot, by a charter
which K Edw I inspected. The king had ratified the gifts (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 248). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) Mon
(Soulsby, p. 119). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Ascension (Easter
dep); gr ante 10 Feb 1281, by Reginald son of Peter to Hugh de
Turberville. Fair held at the manor. Hugh granted the fair to Grimbald
Pauncefot, by a charter which K Edw I inspected. The king had ratified the
gifts (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 248). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Nativity of Mary (8 Sept); gr ante 10 Feb 1281, by
Reginald son of Peter to Hugh de Turberville. Fair held at the manor. Hugh
granted the fair to Grimbald Pauncefot, by a charter which K Edw I
inspected. The king had ratified the gifts (CChR, 1257–1300,
p. 248). |
| DEGANWY 2782 3794.
Borough 21 Feb 1252 (CChR, 1226–57, pp. 378–9). Possibly
occupied by the Romans. Site of a Welsh castle. A Norman castle built here
in the late eleventh century changed hands several times. The castle was
destroyed in 1241, the same year as a Welsh vill is first mentioned. K Hen
III ordered the castle to be strengthened in 1245 and planned a town in
1248. The castle was destroyed by the Welsh in 1263 and it is likely that
the new town shared its fate. After Conwy, Wales
(q.v.) was founded across the river, Deganwy was revived. The
market reappeared by 1290. It was still being held in the late fifteenth
century (Soulsby, pp. 120–1). See also Soulsby, p. 120. |
| M | (Letter Close) Tues; mercatum, gr 21 Aug 1250, by K
Hen III. To be held at the town. Mandate to the Justiciar of Chester to
make the market known and henceforth be held (CR, 1247–51, pp.
314–15). On 21 Feb 1252, K Hen III granted the Tues market to the
burgesses of Degannwy (CChR, 1226–57, p. 379). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) Mon;
recorded thirteenth century (Beresford, p. 546). |
| F |
(Letter Close) vfm, Nativity of Mary (8 Sept); feria gr 21 Aug
1250, by K Hen III (CR, 1247–51, pp. 314–15). To be held
at the town. Mandate to the Justiciar of Chester to make the fair known
and henceforth be held. |
| F | (Charter) vfm+6, Martin (11 Nov);
gr 21 Feb 1252, by K Hen III to burgesses of Diganwy (CChR,
1226–57, p. 379). |
| F | (Prescriptive) Oct; recorded
thirteenth century (Beresford, p. 546). |
| Market recorded in ?1285–95;
no details of the market were given (W. Rees ed., Calendar of Ancient
Petitions Relating to Wales (Cardiff, 1975), no. 13715). |
| DINEFWR 2617 2230.
Borough by 1298. Also known as Dynevor. The castle is first recorded in
1163. By the twelfth century there was a tradition that it had been held
by the princes of Deheubarth for at least two hundred years. Dinefwr
castle and its demesne was taken into K Edw I’s hands in Jun 1277.
The earliest mention of the old, upper settlement dates from the late
thirteenth century; it may have been exclusively Welsh. A new development,
Newton or Newtown, was founded in 1298 to the north, on lower ground. This
was almost entirely English. Within three years, the Newtown had expanded.
The Newtown was burnt in 1316. Both settlements recovered in the mid
fourteenth century and in 1360 the Newtown in particular was flourishing.
Dinefwr received its formal borough charter on 1 Jun 1363, with the right
to hold a guild merchant. From the early fifteenth century, Dinefwr lost
its role as a defensive site and went into decline. In the 1530s, Leland
described Newtown as ruinous. Both settlements have now disappeared. Just
over one mile west of Llandeilo, Wales (q.v.)
(R.A. Griffiths, ‘A tale of two towns: Llandeilo Fawr and Dinefwr
in the Middle Ages’, in R.A. Griffiths, Conquerors and Conquered
in Medieval Wales (Stroud, 1994), pp. 254–71). |
| M |
(Letter Patent) gr 4 Dec 1280, by K Edw I. Mandate to Bogo de Knovill,
justice of west Wales, to cause to be proclaimed in the town of Dynavor a
weekly market to be held there (CPR, 1272–81, p. 417). Day of
the market was not given. This
market was in the old, upper settlement. In the borough charter of 1 Jun
1363, the Wed market was confirmed; this was confirmed by K Ric II on 24
Sept 1394 (R.A. Griffiths, ‘A tale of two towns: Llandeilo Fawr
and Dinefwr in the Middle Ages’, in R.A. Griffiths, Conquerors and
Conquered in Medieval Wales (Stroud, 1994), pp. 266–71;
CPR, 1391–6, p. 505). |
| F | (Letter Patent) gr 4
Dec 1280, by K Edw I. Mandate to Bogo de Knovill, justice of west Wales,
to cause to be proclaimed in the town of Dynavor a yearly fair to be held
there (CPR, 1272–81, p. 417). No details of the fair were given.
This fair was in the old, upper
settlement. It was associated with the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin
Mary (8 Sept). In 1360, the tolls of the fair were £4. On 1 Jun 1363, Edw
the Black Prince granted that the fair was to be extended to three days; K
Ric II confirmed this on 24 Sept 1394 (R.A. Griffiths, ‘A tale of two
towns: Llandeilo Fawr and Dinefwr in the Middle Ages’, in R.A.
Griffiths, Conquerors and Conquered in Medieval Wales (Stroud,
1994), pp. 263–6; CPR, 1391–6, p. 505). |
| F |
(Prescriptive) John the Baptist (24 Jun); nundinae recorded 1299
(M. Rhys, Ministers’ Accounts for West Wales, 1277 to 1306,
Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion (London, 1936), i, p. 88). This fair
was abandoned by 1302–3 (R.A. Griffiths, ‘A tale of two towns:
Llandeilo Fawr and Dinefwr in the Middle Ages’, in R.A.
Griffiths, Conquerors and Conquered in Medieval Wales (Stroud,
1994), pp. 265). |
| F | (Letter Patent) gr 1 Jun 1363, by
Edw, the Black Prince to burgesses of Newtown in south Wales. K Ric II
confirmed the letters patent on 24 Sept 1394. The fair was held for three
days on 18 Oct (CPR, 1391–6, p. 505; R.A. Griffiths, ‘A tale of
two towns: Llandeilo Fawr and Dinefwr in the Middle Ages’, in
R.A. Griffiths, Conquerors and Conquered in Medieval Wales (Stroud,
1994), pp. 263–6). |
| DRYSLWYN 2554 2204.
Borough 1287. Welsh castle first mentioned in 1246, with a settlement
beside it in 1271, when it was held by Rhys ap Maredudd. Town reorganised
along English lines in 1287 and burgages laid out. The small borough
continued during the fourteenth century. In 1403, the castle was destroyed
by Owain Glyndwr; this probably contributed to the decline of the
settlement (Soulsby, pp. 133–4). |
| M |
(Charter) Sat; gr 25 Mar 1324, by K Edw II to burgesses of Dryslwyn
(CChR, 1300–26, p. 461). To be held at the town. |
| F | (Charter) f+3, Bartholomew (24 Aug); gr 12 Jul 1281, by K Edw
I to Rhys son of Meredith. To be held at the manor (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 253). Fair on the feast of Bartholomew held in the town
recorded in 1298–1300 and 1303–5. A fair was recorded in
1300–1; the feast was not given (M. Rhys, Ministers’ Accounts
for West Wales, 1277 to 1306, Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
(London, 1936), i, pp. 70, 88, 194, 304, 370). |
| GLASCWM 3156 2532. Also
known as Glascombe. |
| M | (Charter) Sat; gr 20 May 1290, by
K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 343). In 1326, the bp of St David’s
was holding a Sat market (Willis-Bund, p. 291). |
| M |
(Charter) Thurs; gr 20 Sept 1291, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St
David’s (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 405). |
| F |
(Charter) vf+2, Martin in the Winter (11 Nov); gr 20 May 1290, by K Edw I
to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 343). Fair granted again by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St
David’s on 20 Sept 1291 (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 405). In
1326, the bp of St David’s was holding a three day fair on the feast
of Martin (Willis-Bund, p. 291). |
| HARLECH 2581 3312.
Borough 22 Nov 1284 (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 280). K Edw I began
work on the castle and town in 1283. It was the smallest of the Edwardian
planned boroughs and development was limited. Almost the whole town was
destroyed by Owain Glyndwr. The history of the town in the later middle
ages is sparsely documented (Soulsby, pp. 138–9). Market town
c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Prescriptive:
borough) No further information for the market, although Soulsby states
that it was held on Sat (Soulsby, p. 138). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Cuthbert (20 Mar); gr 23 Sept 1334, by K Edw III to
burgesses of Harlech (CChR, 1327–41, p. 319). To be held at
the town. |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Corpus Christi
(Easter dep); gr 23 Sept 1334, by K Edw III to burgesses of Harlech
(CChR, 1327–41, p. 319). To be held at the town. |
| Soulsby
states that there were four annual fairs (Soulsby, p.
138). |
| HAVERFORDWEST /
HWLFFORDD 1953 2157. Borough 1189x1219. Town and castle were founded
c.1110 by Gilbert de Clare, earl of Pembroke. In the second half of
the thirteenth century, the borough was enlarged and the castle rebuilt.
An important port, connecting Wales with Ireland and continental Europe.
In 1405, the town was destroyed by Owain Glyndwr, but recovered (Soulsby,
pp. 139–42). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) Sun; recorded 17 Nov 1207,
mercatum, held by Robert son of Richard de Haverford’. The
market, which was formerly held on Sun, was henceforth to be held on Sun
(RCh, p. 173). Usually, this form of words is used in John’s
reign when the day of a market was changed from Sun to another day of the
week. It is therefore probable that this was a scribal error and that the
market day was being or had been moved from Sun. A market, the day of
which was not given, was recorded on 23 Jul 1451. It had been granted to
Roland Lenthale, kn, and his wife Margery for life; now that both were
deceased, it was granted to Qu Margaret [of Anjou] in dower (CCR,
1447–54, p. 224). The market was held in St Mary’s churchyard
(Soulsby, p. 141). |
| F | (Charter) v+15, Philip and James
(1 May); feria gr 17 Nov 1207, by K John to Robert son of Richard
de Haverford’ (RCh, p. 173). A fair was recorded on 23 Jul
1451, which had been granted to Roland Lenthale, kn, and his wife Margery
for life; now that both were deceased, it was granted to Qu Margaret [of
Anjou] in dower (CCR, 1447–54, p. 224). |
| HOLYWELL / TREFFYNNON
3190 3771. Settlement appears to have begun with the founding of
Basingwerk abbey, the grant of a market to the M of Basingwerk and the
construction of a motte by Ranulph, earl of Chester in 1210. The market
failed. The modern town is to the south of the medieval settlement
(Soulsby, pp. 147–8). |
| M | (Grant: other); gr
c.1210, to M of Basingwerk (Soulsby, pp. 147–8). No further
details of the market are given. |
| M | (Charter) Fri; gr 20
Aug 1292, by K Edw I to A and C of Basingwerk (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 423). To be held at the manor. |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Holy Trinity (Easter dep); gr 20 Aug 1292, by K Edw I to A
and C of Basingwerk (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 423). To be held at
the manor. |
| KENFIG 2803 1813.
Borough twelfth century. Settled during and after the Roman period.
Recorded in the late ninth century. Site of a Welsh castle in 1080. Norman
castle and town established and enclosed with defences by 1135x54.
Destroyed by the Welsh in 1167 and 1183; attacks continued in the
thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. Although apparently a fairly
large town in the fourteenth century, Kenfig was abandoned by 1470 as sand
dunes encroached upon it. It is now buried beneath the dunes (Soulsby, pp.
149–52). The grid references are to the modern settlement of
Kenfig. |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) No
further information for the market. |
| F | (Prescriptive)
nundine recorded 1188 (PR, 34 Hen II, p. 8). Fair held by
Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, recorded on 7 Feb 1296
(CIPM, iii, no. 371). This may relate to either of the fairs
below. |
| F | (Prescriptive) 24 Jul; recorded
14 May 1360. This was one of two fairs at Kenfig recorded in a charter of
privileges granted by Edward, lord Despenser on 14 May 1360 (R.A.
Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), p. 351). |
| F | (Prescriptive) Mon in Whitsun
week (Easter dep); recorded 14 May 1360. This was one of two fairs at
Kenfig recorded in a charter of privileges granted by Edward, lord
Despenser on 14 May 1360 (R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of
Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan
County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), p. 351). |
| KIDWELLY / CYDWELI 2409
2067. Borough possibly twelfth century. The town and castle were
constructed by Roger, bp of Salisbury in c.1110. From this early
date there is evidence of a ‘new town’ on the opposite bank of
the River Afon. The men of ‘Cadweli’ were granted freedom from
toll in 1106–14. Flemish settlers established a cloth industry, which
encouraged the development of the town. From the early thirteenth century,
Kidwelly was an important port. During the reign of K Edw I, the borough
and castle were refortified. The old town was destroyed by Owain Glyndwr
in 1403 and, although repaired, was thereafter eclipsed by the importance
of the ‘new town’ across the river (Soulsby, pp. 152–4).
Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M |
(Charter) Tues; gr 22 Oct 1268, by K Hen III to Payn de Chaworth
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 113). |
| M |
(Charter) Sat; gr 22 Oct 1268, by K Hen III to Payn de Chaworth
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 113). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm+5, Mary Magdalene (22 Jul); gr 22 Oct 1268, by K Hen III to
Payn de Chaworth (CChR, 1257–1300, p.
113). |
| LAMPETER / LLANBEDR PONT
STEFFAN 2575 2484. Borough 1271–7 (Beresford, p. 539). Site of a
Norman motte, which was destroyed in 1137. The earliest date for this
Welsh town is 1285. It developed in the early fourteenth century,
particularly as a result of its fair (Soulsby, pp. 157–8). Market
town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M |
(Charter) Thurs; gr 22 Jun 1285, by K Edw I to Res son of Meredut. To be
held at the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 303). A market was
recorded in 1303–5 (M. Rhys, Ministers’ Accounts for West
Wales, 1277 to 1306, Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion (London,
1936), i, pp. 308, 376). On 3 Mar 1318, K Edw II granted Res ap Griffith,
king’s yeoman, a Thurs market to be held at the manor, which he held
for life (CChR, 1300–26, p. 374). Soulsby states that the
market was ‘insignificant’ (Soulsby, p. 157). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Denis the Martyr (9 Oct); gr 22 Jun 1285, by K Edw I to Res
son of Meredut. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p.
303). A fair was recorded in 1300–1; the feast was not given. A fair
on the feast of Denis was recorded in 1303–5 (M. Rhys,
Ministers’ Accounts for West Wales, 1277 to 1306, Honourable
Society of Cymmrodorion (London, 1936), i, pp. 210, 308,
374). |
| LLANDDEW 3054 2307.
Site of episcopal palace. See also Rachfynydd, Wales
(q.v.). |
| F | (Charter) vf+3, Holy Trinity
(Easter dep); gr 20 May 1290, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 343). In 1326, the bp of St David’s
was holding a three day fair on Holy Trinity (Willis-Bund, p.
293). |
| F | (Charter) vf+3, Luke (18 Oct); gr
20 Sept 1291, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at
the manor of Llanthew (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 405). In 1326, the
bp of St David’s was holding a three day fair on the feast of Luke
(Willis-Bund, p. 293). |
| LLANDDEWI-BREFI 2665
2554. |
| M | (Charter) Mon; gr 9 Sept 1281, by
K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor
(CChR, 1257–1300, p, 258). Market granted again by K Edw I to
Thomas, bp of St David’s on 12 Nov 1281, but this charter was vacated
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 257). In 1326, the bp of St David’s
was holding a Mon market (Willis-Bund, p. 197). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Assumption (15 Aug); gr 9 Sept 1281, by K Edw I to Thomas,
bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 258). Fair granted again by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St
David’s on 12 Nov 1281, but this charter was vacated (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 257). In 1326, the bp of St David’s was holding a
three day fair on the Assumption of Mary (Willis-Bund, p.
197). |
| LLANDEILO 2630 2223.
Borough by 1326. A small Welsh settlement grew up around the ch of St
Teilo, which traditionally was founded in the sixth century. This was an
important ‘mother ch’ with a large estate. In the late
thirteenth century, the area came under the control of the bps of St
David’s and a new town was laid out. It was situated on a crossing
point of the river Tywi. In 1326, it was one of the smallest and least
profitable of the towns held by the bp of St David’s, with only
fourteen burgesses. In 1403, Glyndwr burnt much of Llandeilo. Just over
one mile east of Dinefwr, Wales (q.v.) (R.A.
Griffiths, ‘A tale of two towns: Llandeilo Fawr and Dinefwr in
the Middle Ages’, in R.A. Griffiths, Conquerors and Conquered in
Medieval Wales (Stroud, 1994), pp. 254–71). Market town
c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Prescriptive:
borough) Sat; recorded 1326, held by bp of St David’s (Willis-Bund,
p. 264). |
| F | (Charter) vf+3, Barnabas (11
Jun); gr 20 May 1290, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 343). Fair granted again by K Edw I to
Thomas, bp of St David’s on 20 Sept 1291 (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 405). In 1326, the bp of St David’s was holding a
three day fair on the feast of Barnabas the apostle (Willis-Bund, p.
263). |
| LLANDOVERY /
LLANYMDDYFRI 2768 2344. Borough 1185. Area conquered by the Normans in
early twelfth century. The castle (first mentioned in 1116) and the
founding of a Benedictine priory (dissolved in 1185) may have encouraged
local settlement. A town had grown up by the end of the twelfth century,
with English burgesses recorded in 1185. Control of Llandovery passed
regularly between the English and Welsh. In 1276, the borough was granted
to John Giffard, who strengthened the castle. The population of the town
increased in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. Captured
by Owain Glyndwr in 1403 and thereafter declined. The market square was to
the north of the castle. According to Leland, there was ‘a poore
market’ (Soulsby, pp. 162–4). Market town c.1600
(Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) recorded
Dec 1316, when an inquisition recorded markets worth 40s.
(Beresford, p. 542). |
| M | (Charter) Sat; gr 26 Jan 1485, by
K Ric III to bailiffs and burgesses of Llandovery (CChR,
1427–1516, pp. 261–2). To be held in the borough. |
| F | (Prescriptive) recorded Dec 1316, when an inquisition
reported fairs worth 53s. 4d. (Beresford, p. 542). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Martin (11 Nov); gr 17 Nov 1335, by K Edw III
to James Daudele (CChR, 1327–41, p. 350). To be held at the
manor. |
| F | (Charter) Tues, Wed and Thurs
after Whitsuntide (Easter dep); gr 26 Jan 1485, by K Ric III to bailiffs
and burgesses of Llandovery (CChR, 1427–1516, pp. 261–2).
To be held at the borough. |
| LLANDRILLO YN RHOS
2832 3806. |
| M | (Charter) Tues; gr 2 Feb 1334, by
K Edw III to Griffith son of Maddock de Hendour. To be held at the town of
Lantrithlou in North Wales (CChR, 1327–41, p. 307). An
identical grant on the same day gives the day of the weekly market as
Thurs (CChR, 1327–41, p. 308). Tues market granted again by K
Edw III to Griffyth son of Maddok de Hendour on 26 May 1335, to be held at
the town of Lantrithlou in North Wales (CChR, 1327–41, p.
328). |
| M | (Charter) Wed; gr 23 Feb 1335, by
K Edw III to Evan ap Thwelin ap David (CChR, 1327–41, p. 322).
To be held at the town of Lantrillo in North Wales. |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Michael (29 Sept); gr 2 Feb 1334, by K Edw III to Griffith
son of Maddock de Hendour. To be held at the town of Lantrithlou in North
Wales (CChR, 1327–41, p. 307). Fair granted again by K Edw III
to Griffyth son of Maddok de Hendour on 26 May 1335, to be held at the
town of Lantrithlou in North Wales (CChR, 1327–41, p.
328). |
| F | (Charter) vf, Trithlou (15 Jun);
gr 2 Feb 1334, by K Edw III to Griffyth son of Maddock de Hendour. To be
held at the town of Lantrithlou in North Wales. This was granted in a
separate charter from the fair on Michael (CChR, 1327–41, p.
308). The saint can probably be identified as Trillo, whose feast was
celebrated elsewhere on 15 Jun (D.H. Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of
Saints (Oxford, 1979), p. 383). |
| F | (Charter) f, Clement
(23 Nov); gr 30 Jan 1335, by K Edw III to Evan ap Thwelin ap David
(CChR, 1327–41, p. 322). To be held at the town of Lantrillo
in North Wales. |
| LLANFYLLIN 3142 3196.
Borough 1310 (Soulsby, p. 167). Founded in the early 1290s by the princes
of upper Powys. The town remained small throughout the medieval period.
Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M |
(Charter) Sat; gr 7 Dec 1293, by K Edw I to Lewis de la Pole (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 433). To be held at the manor. |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Philip and James (1 May); gr 7 Dec 1293, by K Edw I to
Lewis de la Pole (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 433). To be held at the
manor. |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Simon and Jude (28
Oct); gr 7 Dec 1293, by K Edw I to Lewis de la Pole (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 433). To be held at the manor. |
| LLANGADOG 2707 2283.
Borough ante 1326. Probably a Welsh community reorganised as a
borough by the bps of St David’s. A college founded here by Bp Bek in
1283 survived only four years (Soulsby, pp. 168–9). Market town
c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Charter) Thurs; gr 9
Sept 1281, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at the
manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 258). Market granted again by K Edw
I to Thomas, bp of St David’s on 12 Nov 1281, but this charter was
vacated (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 257). In 1326, the bp of St
David’s was holding a Thurs market (Willis-Bund, p. 277). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Peter and Paul (29 Jun); gr 9 Sept 1281, by K
Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 258). Fair granted again by K Edw I to
Thomas, bp of St David’s on 12 Nov 1281, but this charter was vacated
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 257). In 1326, the bp of St David’s
was holding a fair on Peter and Paul (Willis-Bund, p. 277). |
| Soulsby states
that there were up to seven annual fairs, but provides no further details
(Soulsby, p. 168). |
| LLANGOLLEN 3213 3420.
Probably originated as a Welsh settlement that developed around St
Collen’s ch and the castle of Dinas Bran (a Welsh foundation dating
from c.1270). It remained a small settlement throughout the
medieval period (Soulsby, pp. 169–70). |
| M |
(Charter) Sat; gr 16 Jul 1284, by K Edw I to Roger de Mortuo Mari
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 276). To be held at the manor. |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Dunstan (19 May); gr 16 Jul 1284, by K Edw I
to Roger de Mortuo Mari (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 276). To be held
at the manor. |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Martin in winter
(11 Nov); gr 16 Jul 1284, by K Edw I to Roger de Mortuo Mari (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 276). To be held at the manor. |
| LLANIDLOES 2955 2846.
Borough 1272x93. First mentioned in 1263, Llanidloes appears to have grown
rapidly around the turn of the fourteenth century. The borough was founded
in the reign of K Edw I; the borough court is first recorded in 1293
(Soulsby, pp. 170–2). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p.
472). |
| M | (Charter) Sat; gr 15 Nov 1280, by
K Edw I to Owen son of Griffin son of Wenunwyn. To be held at the manor
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 236). On 27 Apr 1286, K Edw I granted the
market to Owen son of Griffin son of Wennunwen (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 330). In 1293, the markets of Llanidloes were worth £5
6s. (Beresford, p. 564). On 2 May 1375, a Sat market was recorded,
held by John de Cherleton of Powys, kn, recently deceased (CIPM,
xiv, no. 19). |
| F | (Charter) vf, Margaret the Virgin
(20 Jul); gr 15 Nov 1280, by K Edw I to Owen son of Griffin son of
Wenunwyn (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 236). To be held at the
manor. |
| F | (Charter) vf, Luke (18 Oct); gr
15 Nov 1280, by K Edw I to Owen son of Griffin son of Wenunwyn. To be held
at the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 236). On 27 Apr 1286, K Edw
I granted Owen son of Griffin son of Wennunwen a fair on vfm of Luke the
Evangelist (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 330). Fair of St Luke recorded
in 1332 (Beresford, p. 564). On 2 May 1375, a fair on the feast of Luke
was recorded, held by John de Cherleton of Powys, kn, recently deceased
(CIPM, xiv, no. 19). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Trans
of Thomas (7 Jul); gr 27 Apr 1286, by K Edw I to Owen son of Griffin son
of Wennunwen. To be held at the town of Llanidloes (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 330). Fair of St Thomas recorded in 1332 (Beresford, p.
564). On 2 May 1375, a fair on the feast of Translation of Thomas was
recorded, held by John de Cherleton of Powys, kn, recently deceased
(CIPM, xiv, no. 19). |
| In 1293, the fairs of Llanidloes were worth £5
6s. (Beresford, p. 564). The market and fairs were worth £4 in
1401; this had declined to 23s. 4d. in 1421 (Soulsby, p.
171). |
| LLANTRISANT 3047 1834.
Borough ante 1262. This may have been a Welsh community that grew
up around a ch. Castle first recorded in 1246, whilst Welsh burgesses are
mentioned in 1262. Llantrisant grew rapidly in the later thirteenth and
early fourteenth century. After attacks by the Welsh in 1316 and 1321, the
castle was not repaired. An increasing number of burgages fell vacant. In
1346, Llantrisant was granted the liberties of the borough of Cardiff, Wales (q.v.). The charter included the
right to establish a merchant gild and also organised trade in the market
place. In 1491–2, the market was not producing any tolls. By the
early sixteenth century, the markets and courts were abandoned. However,
the town revived from 1530 (Soulsby, pp. 173–5; R.A. Griffiths,
‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in
T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), p.
339, 353). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M |
(Prescriptive: borough) recorded 1312, when Earl Gilbert de Clare granted
the townsfolk of Llantrisant that they could use the market free of toll
for the next seven years (R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of
Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan
County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), p. 339). Beresford states that in
1316 the market was said to have been granted in 1313 (Beresford, p.
555). |
| F | (Prescriptive) recorded 1314 when
the fair had to be suspended as a result of Welsh attacks in the summer.
On 4 May 1346, Hugh, lord Despenser granted liberties to Llantrisant
including a confirmation of the right to hold a fair on 1 Aug (R.A.
Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), pp. 344, 350). This was probably the same fair as that
recorded in 1314. |
| LLAWHADEN 2071 2173.
Borough 1280x93. Evidence of a Welsh castle (destroyed 1193) and ch date
from the late twelfth century. In 1280–93, Bp Bek constructed a new
palace on the site of the old castle and a town was laid out. This palace
was the most important of the bp’s residences and therefore
Llawhaden became the principal episcopal borough. Between 1292 and 1326
the number of burgesses grew rapidly. Later evidence for the town relates
only to the castle. It was refortified during Owain Glyndwr’s revolt,
but dismanted in 1536–47. The market was also abandoned in the
sixteenth century (Soulsby, pp. 177–9). |
| M |
(Charter) Mon; gr 9 Sept 1281, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St
David’s. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p.
258). Market granted again by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s on
12 Nov 1281, although this charter was vacated (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 257). |
| F | (Charter) vfm+2, Luke (18 Oct);
gr 12 Nov 1281, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at
the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 259). In 1326, the bp of St
David’s was holding a fair on the feast of Luke the Evangelist which
lasted three days (Willis-Bund, p. 137). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Mark (25 Apr); gr 12 Nov 1281, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of
St David’s. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p.
259). In 1326, the bp of St David’s was holding a fair on the feast
of Martin (11 Nov) which lasted three days (Willis-Bund, p. 137).
Presumably, this was the same fair that was granted in 1281 and the scribe
had made an error. |
| MACHYNLLETH 2746 3008.
Borough 2 May 1375 (CIPM, xiv, no. 19). The first evidence for this
Welsh town dates from 1291. It grew rapidly in the next twenty years.
Little is known of its history, although Owain Glyndwr held a
‘parliament’ here in 1404 (Soulsby, pp. 180–1). Market town
c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Charter) Wed; gr 28
Dec 1291, by K Edw I to Owen de la Pole (CChR, 1257–1300, p.
408). On 18 Feb 1310, it was described as a ‘market town’,
lately held by Griffin son of Owen de la Pole, who had recently died in
the king’s custody (CIPM, v, no. 214). On 2 May 1375, a Wed
market was recorded, held by John de Cherleton of Powys, kn, recently
deceased (CIPM, xiv, no. 19). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Peter
and Paul (29 Jun); gr 28 Dec 1291, by K Edw I to Owen de la Pole
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 408). On 2 May 1375, a fair on the feast
of Peter and Paul was recorded, held by John de Cherleton of Powys, kn,
recently deceased (CIPM, xiv, no. 19). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Edmund the archbp (16 Nov); gr 28 Dec 1291, by K Edw I to
Owen de la Pole (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 408). On 2 May 1375, a
fair on the feast of Edmund the king (20 Nov) was recorded, held by John
de Cherleton of Powys, kn, recently deceased (CIPM, xiv, no. 19).
Although associated with different St Edmund’s, the proximity of the
dates of the two fairs suggest that they were the
same. |
| MICHAELCHURCH-ON-ARROW
3247 2506. Identified as Michaelchurch, Radnor, in the index of the
CChR. (E. Davies ed., A Gazetteer of Welsh Place-Names
(Cardiff, 1967), pp. 63, 80; M. Richards, Welsh Administrative and
Territorial Units: medieval and modern (Cardiff, 1969), p. 157; B.G.
Charles, Non-Celtic Place Names in Wales (London, 1958), p.
171). |
| M | (Charter) Wed; gr 12 Jan 1354, by
K Edw III to John de Clanevowe (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 132). To
be held at the town of Michelchirch [Michaelchurch] in Wales. |
| F | (Charter) f, Michael (29 Sept); gr 12 Jan 1354, by K Edw III
to John de Clanevowe (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 132). To be held at
the town of Michelchirch [Michaelchurch] in Wales. |
| F |
(Charter) f, octave of the Holy Trinity (Easter dep); gr 12 Jan 1354, by K
Edw III to John de Clanevowe (CChR, 1341–1417, p. 132). To be
held at the town of Michelchirche [Michaelchurch] in
Wales. |
| MONTGOMERY / TREFALDWYN
3224 2965. Borough 1223 (CChR, 1226–57, p. 10). One and a half
miles from an existing motte at Hen Domen. Town of Montgomery established
in the early years of K Hen III’s reign. The construction of a new
castle began in 1223, when those settling in the new town were already
being offered burghal privileges. Montgomery received its charter in 1227.
This was an important strategic site. The castle and town went into
decline as their strategic importance diminished in the fourteenth
century. This was accentuated by Owain Glyndwr’s attack (Soulsby, pp.
185–7). On 6 Oct 1229, K Hen III confirmed a charter of Hubert de
Burgh, earl of Kent, granting to his burgesses of Montgomery that they
could have their fairs and markets, with all liberties and customs. No
details of the fairs or markets were given (CChR, 1226–57, p.
101). For attempts by K Edw I to protect his market and fair here, see the
entry for Trefnant, Wales (q.v.). Market town
c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Charter) Thurs; gr 13
Feb 1227, by K Hen III to burgesses of Montgomery (CChR,
1226–57, p. 10). Damaged by the market at Oswestry, Shropshire (q.v.) in 1228
(CR, 1227–31, p. 121). Enquiries as to whether it was damaged
by the market at Welshpool, Wales (q.v.)
22 Feb 1252 and 11 Jun 1282 (CR, 1251–3, p. 55;
CChR, 1257–1300, p. 263). The
market was held in Broad Street (Soulsby, p. 186). |
| F |
(Letter Close) from the feast of All Saints lasting for 8 days (1 Nov);
feria gr 19 Jan 1224, by K Hen III. To be held at the royal manor
(RLC, i, p. 582). Mandate to the sh of Staffordshire and Shropshire
to make it known that the royal fair would be held next to the castle from
the v of All Saints for eight days, 2 Oct 1224. This was apparently not
limited ‘until the king came of age’ (RLC, i, p. 623). On
13 Feb 1227, K Hen III granted the burgesses of Montgomery a fair on vf+6
All Saints (CChR, 1226–57, p. 10). Fair damaged by that at Oswestry, Shropshire (q.v.) in 1228
(CR, 1227–31, p. 121). |
| F | (Letter Close) v+3,
Invention of Holy Cross (3 May); nundinas gr 19 Apr 1225, by K Hen
III. To be held next to the castle (RLC, ii, pp. 28, 31). This was
apparently not limited ‘until the king came of age’. |
| F | (Charter) vf+2, Bartholomew (24 Aug); gr 13 Feb 1227, by K
Hen III to burgesses of Montgomery (CChR, 1226–57, p. 10). |
| In
1364–5, the fairs of Montgomery were worth £1 4s. (Beresford,
p. 565). Soulsby indicates that there may have been four annual fairs
(Soulsby, p. 186). |
| NEATH / CASTELL-NEDD
2754 1977. Borough 1258. Roman fort. In 1129–30, Richard de Glanville
founded Neath abbey on the west bank of the river. A motte and small
settlement were established, but were apparently abandoned by 1207. A
castle had been constructed by 1185. In 1231, this castle and its adjacent
town were destroyed. The town recovered, but was severely damaged by an
attack in 1258. Another Welsh attack in 1281 reduced the tolls on the
market and fair. In the last years of the thirteenth and well into the
fourteenth century, Neath developed substantially. Welsh attacks in 1316
disrupted trade at the market and fair. In 1359, Edward le Despenser
restricted all trade within the lordship of Neath to the borough. By 1514,
the tolls from the market and fair were no longer collected (Soulsby, pp.
189–92; R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and
medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History,
iii (Cardiff, 1971), pp. 344, 353). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p.
472). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) recorded
1281 (Soulsby, p. 190). On 20 Feb 1397, Thomas, lord Despenser issued a
charter to the burgesses of Neath, which formally recognised the market
held there on Mon (R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of
Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan
County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), p. 352). |
| F |
(Grant: other) gr 16 Apr 1280, by Earl Gilbert de Clare to the borough of
Neath (R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and
medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History,
iii (Cardiff, 1971), p. 343). This was presumably the same fair as that
recorded on 12 Feb 1296 held by Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and
Hertford, lately deceased (CIPM, iii, no. 371). On 20 Feb 1397,
Thomas, lord Despenser issued a charter to the burgesses of Neath, which
formally recognised the fair lasting four days from the eve of Corpus
Christi (Easter dep) (R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of
Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan
County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), p. 352). |
| NEFYN 2309 3406. The
villa of Nefyn is mentioned 1177x1187 and burgesses are recorded
1194x1200 (U. Rees (ed.), The Cartulary of Haughmond Abbey (Cardiff,
1985), nos. 786-7. Borough ante 1284. Settlement appears to
have begun in the late twelfth century. Under the princes of Gwynedd in
the thirteenth century, Nefyn rose in importance to become an adminstrative
centre. Captured in 1284 by K Edw I, royal officials recognised Nefyn as
having borough status. Nefyn’s position was secured by the charter
of the Black Prince, which ensured that all trade within the commote was
conducted within the town. Town was severely damaged during an attack by
Owain Glyndwr in 1400 and remained virtually abandoned in 1413. A greatly
reduced settlement was re-established, but by 1530s the market had been
abandoned (Soulsby, pp. 192–4). Market town c.1600 (Everitt,
p. 472). |
| M |
(Prescriptive: borough) by 1200,
recorded 1284. Sat market confirmed by Edw, the Black Prince, in 1355 (Soulsby,
p. 193). |
| F | (Charter) gr 1355, by Edw, the
Black Prince to burgesses of Nefyn (Soulsby, p. 193). |
| F |
(Charter) gr 1355, by Edw, the Black Prince to burgesses of Nefyn
(Soulsby, p. 193). |
| NEW MOAT 2062 2253.
Borough and ch existed by c.1200. In the late thirteenth and early
fourteenth centuries, New Moat was held by the bps of St David’s, who
established a new borough here. This was probably situated to the north of
the present village (Soulsby, pp. 198–9). |
| M |
(Prescriptive: borough) No further information for the market. |
| F | (Charter) vf+2, Nicholas (6 Dec); gr 20 May 1290, by K Edw I
to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 343). In 1326, the bp of St David’s was holding a
fair on the feast of Nicholas (Willis-Bund, p. 127). |
| F |
(Charter) vf+13, Michael (29 Sept); gr 20 Sept 1291, by K Edw I to Thomas,
bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 405). In 1326, the bp of St David’s was holding a
fair at Michaelmas (Willis-Bund, p. 127). |
| NEW RADNOR 3211 2609.
Borough thirteenth century. This planned town was established two miles
south-east of the small settlement and motte at Old Radnor, perhaps by
1231. It declined after Owain Glyndwr’s attack in 1401 (Soulsby, pp.
206–9). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) Tues; recorded 25 Jul 1304, held by
Edmund de Mortuo Mari (CIPM, iv, no. 235). |
| F |
(Prescriptive) f, Luke (18 Oct); recorded 25 Jul 1304, held by Edmund de
Mortuo Mari (CIPM, iv, no. 235). |
| F |
(Charter) vf+3, Holy Trinity (Easter dep); gr 14 Jul 1306, by K Edw I to
Margaret, late the wife of Edmund de Mortuo Mari and her heirs. To be held
at the manor of Radnor, co. Hereford (CChR, 1300–26, p.
68). |
| NEWPORT 3310 1883. In
Gwent. Borough ante 1132 (Griffiths, p. 189). The Normans
constructed a motte here in c.1090, which probably prompted the
development of an associated settlement. A new castle was built in the
early twelfth century and repaired in the early thirteenth century.
Although credited with borough status in the twelfth century, this was not
confirmed until 1385. Newport was one of the largest Welsh boroughs.
However, it was severely damaged by an attack by Owain Glyndwr in 1402 and
subsequently went into long–term decline (Soulsby, pp. 202–6).
Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 471). |
| M |
(Prescriptive: borough) recorded 1316, when 61s. was raised from
market tolls (Griffiths, p. 200). |
| F | (Prescriptive)
recorded 1316. A charter dated 14 Apr 1385, gr by Hugh, earl of Stafford
to the burgesses of Newport mentions the fifteen day fair, beginning on
the vigil of Lawrence (10 Aug). This charter was confirmed by Humphrey,
earl of Stafford on 3 Apr 1427 (Griffiths, pp. 200,
209). |
| NEWTOWN / Y DRENEWYDD
3107 2917. Borough fourteenth century. The district was also known as
Llanfair Cedewain, a name which survived until the sixteenth century. The
town is first recorded in the mid fourteenth century, but may have existed
since the late thirteenth century. It was considered to be a borough by
the fourteenth century (Soulsby, pp. 209–11). Market town
c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Charter) Tues; gr 16
Jan 1280, by K Edw I to Roger de Mortuo Mari. To be held at the manor of
Thlaneyr in Kedewy (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 221). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Botolph (17 Jun); gr 16 Jan 1280, by K Edw I
to Roger de Mortuo Mari. To be held at the manor of Thlaneyr in Kedewy
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 22). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Edward the king (13 Oct); gr 16 Jan 1280, by K Edw I to
Roger de Mortuo Mari. To be held at the manor of Thlaneyr in Kedewy
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 221). It has been assumed that the feast
does not relate to K Edw the Martyr, but to K Edw the Confessor; the date
of the latter’s translation has been used. |
| PAINSCASTLE 3167 2462.
Borough c.1231. Pain fitz John constructed a castle here before the
1180s, possibly in the 1120s. It was rebuilt in 1191 by William de Braose
and named Castle Maud (castrum Matildis) after his wife. This
castle was captured by the Welsh and returned to English hands in 1231,
when it was rebuilt. At the same time, a borough was laid out. In the
thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, this was an important borough. The
castle was abandoned early on, which probably led to the decline of the
town (Soulsby, pp. 212–13). |
| M |
(Prescriptive:
Borough) In 1265 the toll of the market and fair there, which had belonged
to the recently deceased Roger de Tony was worth £26 a year (PRO,
C 132/31 (3), m. 2; CIPM, i, no. 588). On 30 July 1299 K Edw I
granted a Thurs market to Robert de Tony, to be held at the manor (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 479). |
| F |
(Prescriptive:
Borough) In 1265 the toll of the market and fair there, which had belonged
to the recently deceased Roger de Tony was worth £26 a year (PRO,
C 132/31 (3), m. 2; CIPM, i, no. 588). On 30 July 1299 K Edw I
granted to Robert de Tony a fair on vf+6, Barnabas the Apostle (11 Jun),
to be held at the manorRobert de Tony, to be held at the manor (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 479). |
| PEMBROKE 1984 2015.
Borough c.1100. Mint 1100–1154. After the Norman conquest of
South Wales, a castle and town were established. The borough received its
first charter in c.1100. The impregnable site and its role as the
adminstrative and commercial centre of the earldom of Pembroke encouraged
the growth of the town. Pembroke appears to have grown throughout the
fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, surviving the Welsh rebellions due to
the safety of its site. However, the town declined in the sixteenth
century. After 1536, Pembroke lost its role as the caput of the
wealthy earldom. The growth of Haverfordwest, Wales
(q.v.) also contributed to the decline of the town (Soulsby, pp.
214–17). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Prescriptive:
borough, mint) Sun. Subsequently, the market may have been held on Sat
(Soulsby, pp. 214–17). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, John
the Baptist (24 Jun); feria gr 2 May 1201, by K John to William
Marescall, earl of Pembroke (RCh, p. 95b). |
| Soulsby states that
there were two fairs, but it is not clear whether this was in the medieval
period (Soulsby, p. 216). |
| PRESTEIGNE / LLANANDRAS
3315 2645. Borough possibly by 1300. Situated on the west bank of the
river Lugg, which served as the boundary between England and Wales. The
town developed in the thirteenth century. It was considered to have
borough status, although there is no recorded grant of this. After an
attack by Owain Glyndwr, the town was devastated. In the late fifteenth
century, Richard Martin, bp of St David’s, encouraged the
redevelopment of the town. Writing in the 1530s, Leland noted the revived
fortune of Presteigne (Soulsby, pp. 219–21; Guide, ii, p. 133).
Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). |
| M |
(Grant: other) Wed; mercatum, gr 14 Dec 1225, by K Hen III to
William fitz Warin. To be held at Prestmede, Herefordshire, until the king
came of age. Mandate to the sh of Herefordshire to take a palfrey from him
(C 60/24 m. 8). On 28 Oct 1228, K Hen III pardoned William fitz Warin for
the 5m. demanded from him by summons of the Exchequer of the fine
made with the king for having a certain market at the manor of
Presthemede, which certain manor he did not hold. Mandate to the sh of
Herefordshire that he was to have it in peace (CR, 1227–31, p.
139). |
| M | (Prescriptive: borough) Sat;
recorded 25 Jul 1304, held by Edmund de Mortuo Mari (CIPM, iv, no.
235). It was presumably this market that was abandoned after an attack by
Owain Glyndwr. In the late fifteenth century, Richard Martin, bp of St
David’s, re-established the market (Soulsby, pp.
219–21). |
| F | (Grant: other) vf, Andrew (30
Nov); feria gr 14 Dec 1225, by K Hen III to William fitz Warin. To
be held at Prestmede, Herefordshire, until the king came of age. Mandate
to the sh of Herefordshire to take a palfrey from him (C 60/24 m. 8). On
25 Jul 1304, Edmund de Mortuo Mari was holding a fair on the feast of
Andrew (CIPM, iv, no. 235). |
| F | (Prescriptive) f,
Nativity of John (24 Jun); recorded 25 Jul 1304, held by Edmund de Mortuo
Mari (CIPM, iv, no. 235). |
| RACHFYNYDD 3047 2319.
Identifed as the lost Rhiwbenmynydd, now the site of a farm called
Rachfynydd, a mile from Porthgwyn and just over a mile from Llanddew, Wales (q.v.) (R. Morgan and R.F.P.
Powell, A Study of Breconshire Place Names (Llanrwst, 1999), p.
132). |
| M | (Charter) Mon; gr 20 May 1290, by
K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at Ryopenmenith
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 343). On 20 Sept 1291, K Edw I granted
Thomas, bp of St David’s a Mon market at Rubenmenenth in parts of
Breghenou (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 405). |
| F |
(Charter) vf+3, Bartholomew the Apostle (24 Aug); gr 20 May 1290, by K Edw
I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at Ryopenmenith
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 343). On 20 Sept 1291, K Edw I granted
Thomas, bp of St David’s the fair at Rubenmenenth in parts of
Breghenou (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 405). |
| RUTHIN / RHUTHUN 3124
3583. Borough post 1282 (Griffiths, p. 246). Substantial Welsh
settlement in Dyffryn Clywd was probably an adminstrative centre. Held
briefly by the English from 1247 to 1256, it passed back to the Welsh. The
construction of a castle began in 1277 and in 1282 a town was laid out.
The Welsh community appears to have been reorganised into a borough.
Ruthin was centered on St Peter’s square, which served as the market
place. The town was burnt by Owain Glyndwr in 1400. However, a growing
cloth industry allowed Ruthin to recover quickly. Ruthin continued to
develop and to act as a commercial centre (Soulsby, pp. 232–5).
Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p. 472). Fair 1587, 30 Oct (Harrison,
p. 396). See also Griffiths, pp. 245–61. |
| M |
(Prescriptive: borough) recorded ?1285x95. No details of the market were
given (W. Rees ed., Calendar of Ancient Petitions Relating to Wales
(Cardiff, 1975), no. 13715). The market was held on Mon (Griffiths, p.
246). |
| F | (Prescriptive) Pentecost (Easter
dep) (Griffiths, p. 246). |
| F | (Prescriptive) (Griffiths, p.
246). |
| F | (Prescriptive) (Griffiths, p.
246). |
| ST ASAPH / LLANELWY 3039
3743. Site of a ‘cathedral’ from c.560. This became the
see of the Norman bishopric of St Asaph in 1143. It remained small, mainly
because of the growth of nearby Rhuddlan, Wales
(q.v.) (Soulsby, pp. 235–6). |
| M |
(Charter) Mon; gr 26 Jun 1379, by K Ric II to William bp of St Asaph and
the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral ch (CChR, 1341–1417, p.
258). |
| F | (Prescriptive) vfm, Philip and
James (1 May); recorded 27 Oct 1320, held by bp of St Asaph and Dean and
Chapter there. Held in the town (CChR, 1300–26, p. 428). The
fair on the feast of Philip and James was recorded in 1345 (J. Goronwy
Edwards ed., Calendar of Ancient Correspondence Concerning Wales
(Cardiff, 1935), p. 232). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Denis (9 Oct); gr
26 Jun 1379, by K Ric II to William, bp of St Asaph and the Dean and
Chapter of the cathedral ch (CChR, 1341–1417, p.
258). |
| ST DAVID’S / TYDDEWI 1752 2253.
Mint 1066–1087. Celtic ch of St David
was founded in the sixth century. The associated religious community is
evidenced from the mid seventh century. Episcopal see, to which the first
Norman bp was appointed in 1115. A civilian settlement is documented from
a grant of privileges to St David’s by K Hen I in 1115. In 1120, the
Pope increased the status of the cathedral as a site of pilgrimage, which
probably prompted its development as a commercial centre. Encouraged by
successive bps, particularly Bp Bek, St David’s became a prosperous
town. By the sixteenth century, it had declined dramatically (Soulsby, pp.
238–40). |
| M | (Charter) Mon, Thurs; gr 12 Nov
1281, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 258). In 1326, the bp of St David’s
was holding a Thurs market (Willis-Bund, p. 13). |
| F |
(Prescriptive) nundinas recorded 11 Feb 1256 x 1260, held by bp of
St David’s. William fitz David, baron of Naas, was to hold the fairs
twice a year with the bp’s men. No details of the fairs were given
(J. Barrow ed., St David‘s Episcopal Acta, 1085–1280
(Cardiff, 1998), no. 151). |
| F | (Charter) vfm+2, John
the Baptist (24 Jun); gr 12 Nov 1281, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St
David’s. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p.
258). In 1326, the bp of St David’s was holding a fair on the
Nativity of John the Baptist, which lasted a week (Willis-Bund, p.
13). |
| F | (Charter) vfm+2, Whitsunday
(Easter dep); gr 12 Nov 1281, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s.
To be held at the manor (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 258). In 1326,
the bp of St David’s was holding a fair at Whitsuntide, which lasted
a week (Willis-Bund, p. 13). |
| Although granted as separate fairs in 1281,
in the years when Whitsun was late the two fairs must have been held very
close together. |
| ST HARMON 2992
2725. |
| M | (Charter) Mon; gr 9 Sept 1281, by
K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 258). Market granted again by K Edw I to
Thomas, bp of St David’s on 12 Nov 1281, but this charter was vacated
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 257). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, German (not known); gr 9 Sept 1281, by K Edw I to Thomas,
bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 258). Fair granted again by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St
David’s on 12 Nov 1281, but this charter was vacated (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 257). German was probably Germanus of Man, whose feast
was celebrated in Wales on 31 Jul or 1 Oct. He is often confused with
Germanus of Auxerre (D.H. Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints
(Oxford, 1979), p. 169). |
| SWANSEA / BAE ABERTAWE
2658 1931. Borough twelfth century. Mint 1135–54 (feudal coinage not
in K Steph’s name). Viking settlement from the ninth and tenth
centuries. Norman town from c.1106, which received its first
charter between 1153 and 1184. The market was held at the upper end of
Castle Square. Despite an attack by Glyndwr, Swansea developed into a
successful trading port. It was described by Leland as a market town and
the ‘chief place of Gower lande’ in the late 1530s (Soulsby, pp.
242–7; R.A. Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and
medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History,
iii (Cardiff, 1971), pp. 361–79). Market town c.1600 (Everitt,
p. 472). |
| M
| (Prescriptive: borough, mint) No further information for the
market. |
| F | (Prescriptive) Trans of Thomas
the Martyr (7 Jul); recorded 1366–7 (R.A. Griffiths, ‘The
medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh
ed., Glamorgan County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), p.
371). |
| F | (Prescriptive) Assumption of the
Virgin Mary (15 Aug); recorded 1366–7. Fair recorded in 1400 (R.A.
Griffiths, ‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval
Swansea’, in T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii
(Cardiff, 1971), pp. 371, 374). |
| F | (Prescriptive) Martin
(11 Nov); recorded 1366–7. Fair recorded in 1400 (R.A. Griffiths,
‘The medieval boroughs of Glamorgan and medieval Swansea’, in
T.B. Pugh ed., Glamorgan County History, iii (Cardiff, 1971), pp.
371, 374). |
| TENBY / DINBYCH-Y-PYSGOD
2133 2005. Borough late eleventh century. Occupied in the Roman period and
possibly by Viking settlers. In the late eleventh century, the Normans
established the first permanent settlement, constructing a castle and
laying out a borough. In the late thirteenth century, the borough was
rebuilt by William de Valence, who issued the first borough charter in the
1280s. Tenby’s economy thrived throughout the medieval period and
beyond (Soulsby, pp. 250–3). Market town c.1600 (Everitt, p.
472). See also Griffiths, pp. 289–320. |
| M |
(Charter) Wed; gr 1323, by Aymer de Valence (Griffiths, p. 306).
|
| F | (Charter) f+2, Assumption (15
Aug); gr 1265–94, by William de Valencia, earl of Pembroke and
countess Joan to burgesses of Tenby (CPR, 1374–77, pp.
114–15). The charter of William de Valence is not dated; Ballard and
Tait suggest it was issued in 1265–94 (A. Ballard and J. Tait eds.,
British Borough Charters, 1216–1307 (Cambridge, 1923), p.
xlvii). The charter was confirmed by Aymer de Valencia, earl of Pembroke
and lord of Wexford and Montignac on 24 Apr 1323. It was then confirmed by
Laurence de Hastynges, earl of Pembroke and lord of Wexford and Bergeveny,
on 27 Feb 1342. The charters were inspected and confirmed by K Edw III on
8 Jun 1375 and 6 Feb 1378 (CPR, 1374–77, pp. 114–15;
CPR, 1377–81, p. 112). |
| TREFIN 1841
2325. |
| M | (Charter) Mon; gr 20 May 1290, by
K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St David’s. To be held at the manor of
Trefdyn (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 343). On 20 Sept 1291, K Edw I
granted the market again to Thomas, bp of St David’s (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 405). |
| F | (Charter) vf+2, Martin in the
Winter (11 Nov); gr 20 May 1290, by K Edw I to Thomas, bp of St
David’s. To be held at the manor of Trefdyn (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 343). On 20 Sept 1291, K Edw I granted Thomas, bp of St
David’s a fair on vf+3 Martin in the Winter, to be held at the manor
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 405). In 1326, the bp of St David’s
was holding a three day fair on the feast of Martin (Willis-Bund, p.
73). |
| TREFNANT 3186 3041.
The identity of Trefnant is uncertain, as there is no settlement of that
name in the immediate vicinity of Welshpool (for the importance of which,
see below). There are however several small places called Trefnant, of
which Soulsby considers that in Castle Caereinion to be the most probable
relevant site. In the absence of other clear evidence, Soulsby’s
identification of the site has been accepted and the grid references given
here are to Trefnant Hall, approximately two and a half miles south-east
of Castle Caereinion. Despite the removal of the markets and fairs in
1282, 18 taxpayers remained in 1292. However, by 1332, the taxable revenue
from Trefnant had fallen drastically (Soulsby, p. 255). |
| M |
(Charter) Mon; gr 26 Apr 1279, by K Edw I to Griffin son of Wennunwen. To
be held at the manor of Trefnant in Powis; granted instead of the market
at Welshpool, Wales (q.v.) (CChR,
1257–1300, p. 211). On 11 Jun 1282, K Edw I removed the market at
Trefnant (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 263). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Barnabas (11 Jun); gr 26 Apr 1279, by K Edw I to Griffin
son of Wennunwen. To be held at the manor of Trefnant in Powis; granted
instead of the fair at Welshpool, Wales (q.v.)
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 211). On 11 Jun 1282, K Edw I removed the
fair at Trefnant (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 263). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Leonard the A (6 Nov); gr 26 Apr 1279, by K Edw I to
Griffin son of Wennunwen. To be held at the manor of Trefnant in Powis;
granted instead of the fair at Welshpool, Wales
(q.v.) (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 211). On 11 Jun 1282, K Edw
I removed the fair at Trefnant (CChR, 1257–1300, p.
263). |
| WELSHPOOL / Y TRALLWNG
3224 3074. Borough thirteenth century. Also known as La Pole. Reputed to
be the site of a ch founded in the sixth century. Situated two miles from
Offa’s Dyke. The medieval settlement was founded by the Welsh in the
thirteenth century: the borough may have been founded in the 1240s.
Between 1292 and 1322 the number of burgesses doubled. Welshpool’s
prosperity continued in the later medieval period. Leland described it as
a market town (Soulsby, pp. 265–8). Market town c.1600
(Everitt, p. 472). |
| M | (Charter) gr 1227 x 22 Feb 1252,
mercatum, by K Hen III to Griffin son of Wentounwin’. Mandate
to the sh of Shropshire to enquire whether the market, which the king had
granted him by charter, was detrimental to the royal market at Montgomery, Wales (q.v.). If it was found to be
detrimental, the market was to be prohibited (CR, 1251–3, p.
55). Mandate to the sh of Shropshire that no one was to trade at the
market sent in early Apr 1252 (CR, 1251–3, p. 209). On 19 Aug
1252, K Hen III conceded to Griffin that the Fri market that he was
accustomed to hold would henceforth be held on Mon. Mandate to the sh of
Shropshire to make known the market and cause it to be held (CR,
1251–3, p. 142). Griffin son of Wenunwen had a Mon market at his
manor ‘by the charters of preceding kings’. K Edw I
‘removed’ the market, understanding it to be to the damage of
his market at Montgomery (q.v.). Instead, on 26
Apr 1279, he granted Griffin a market at Trefnant,
Wales (q.v.). However, Roger de Mortuo Mari and Bevis de Knovill
informed the king that the market at Welshpool was not detrimental to the
king’s market at Montgomery. Therefore, on 11 Jun 1282, K Edw I
removed Griffin’s market at Trefnant and granted him instead a Mon
market at Welshpool (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 263). The burgesses
of Montgomery alleged that although the pillory at Welshpool had been
taken down, the market continued ‘in all other kinds of
merchandise’. It therefore seems likely that some kind of trading
continued at Welshpool between 1279 and 1282 (J. Goronwy Edwards ed.,
Calendar of Ancient Correspondence Concerning Wales (Cardiff,
1935), pp. 100–1). Mon market recorded on 6 Dec 1375, held by John de
Cherleton of Powys, kn, recently deceased (CIPM, xiv, no.
19). |
| F | (Prescriptive) vfm, Ascension
(Easter dep); recorded ante 26 Apr 1279, held by Griffin son of
Wenunwen, at the manor ‘by the charters of preceding kings’. K
Edw I ‘removed’ the fair, understanding it to be to the damage
of his fairs at Montgomery (q.v.). Instead, on
26 Apr 1279, he granted Griffin two fairs at Trefnant, Wales (q.v.). However, Roger de Mortuo
Mari and Bevis de Knovill informed the king that the fairs at Welshpool
were not to the damage of the king’s fair at Montgomery. Therefore,
on 11 Jun 1282, K Edw I removed Griffin’s fairs at Trefnant and
granted him instead three fairs at Welshpool (CChR, 1257–1300,
p. 263). |
| F | (Prescriptive) vfm, Edward, king
and confessor (13 Oct); recorded ante 26 Apr 1279, held by Griffin
son of Wenunwen, at the manor ‘by the charters of preceding
kings’. K Edw I ‘removed’ the fair, understanding it to be
to the damage of his fairs at Montgomery, Wales
(q.v.). Instead, on 26 Apr 1279, he granted Griffin two fairs at Trefnant, Wales (q.v.). Roger de Mortuo Mari and
Bevis de Knovill informed the king that the fairs at Welshpool were not to
the damage of the king’s fair at Montgomery. Therefore, on 11 Jun
1282, K Edw I removed Griffin’s fairs at Trefnant and granted him
instead three fairs at Welshpool (CChR, 1257–1300, p.
263). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Augustine, the
Apostle of the English (26 May); gr 11 Jun 1282, by K Edw I to Griffin son
of Wenunwen (CChR, 1257–1300, p. 263). Fair on the feast of
Augustine recorded on 6 Dec 1375, held by John de Cherleton of Powys, kn,
recently deceased (CIPM, xiv, no. 19). |
| F |
(Charter) vfm, Decollation of John the Baptist (29 Aug); gr 11 June 1282,
by K Edw I to Griffin son of Wenunwen (CChR, 1257–1300, p.
263). Fair on feast of Decollation of John the Baptist recorded on 2 May
1375, held by John de Cherleton of Powys, kn, recently deceased
(CIPM, xiv, no. 19). |
| F | (Charter) vfm, Leonard
the A (6 Nov); gr 11 Jun 1282, by K Edw I to Griffin son of Wenunwen
(CChR, 1257–1300, p. 263). Fair on the feast of Leonard
recorded on 6 Dec 1375, held by John de Cherleton of Powys, kn, recently
deceased (CIPM, xiv, no. 19). |
| On 11 Mar 1314, K Edw II inspected
and confirmed the charter dated 11 Jun 1282 and another charter of the
same date, apparently a slightly different version which was discarded
(CChR, 1300–26, p. 235). |
| WHITLAND / HENDY-GWYN
2200 2166. |
| M | (Charter) Mon; gr 18 Mar 1314, by
K Edw II to Roger de Mortuo Mari of Chirk. To be held at the manor of Olde
Whitelond in Wales (CChR, 1300–26, p. 235). |
| M |
(Charter) Thurs; gr 20 May 1318, by K Edw II to Roger de Mortuo Mari of
Chirk. To be held at the manor of La Blauncheland in South Wales
(CChR, 1300–26, p. 409). |
| F | (Charter) vfm,
Assumption (15 Aug); gr 20 May 1318, by K Edw II to Roger de Mortuo Mari
of Chirk. To be held at the manor of La Blauncheland in South Wales
(CChR, 1300–26, p. 409). |
| F | (Charter) vfm,
Nativity of Mary (8 Sept); gr 20 May 1318, by K Edw II to Roger de Mortuo
Mari of Chirk. To be held at the manor of La Blauncheland in South Wales
(CChR, 1300–26, p. 409). |