A description of Bartholomew Fair

former Roman catholic diocese of London United Kingdom Bartholomew Fair was held in Smithfield annually from the 1133 to 1855 at the end of August on the days around St Bartholomew's Day. Originally a cloth fair, the event expanded to include a variety of other wares and a number of entertainments and sights. Listen to this recording of a 17th Century broadside ballad to hear a description of the fair: All those that have money and want any ware let them walk to Smithfield and Bartholomew Fair, All sorts of moveables there may be had, you may venture your lot 'mongst the good and the bad Gloves, ribbands, knives, scissors, with Jack-in-a-box Fine ladies with patches and powdered with pox With a cock and a gelding, with whistle and rattle All which serve to please the young kids that can prattle. Their children must with them if that they have any Tis Forty to one that they have a great many The climate is fruitful, the soil fat and good All things to be said for to nourish the blood. There's no fear of increase which if they can go They must to the fair for to see a great show, Being dressed very fine like young lords and young ladies The boys must have bows and the girls must have babies. The sprightly young prentice must not be forgot, One day in the fortnight must fall to his lot. The servant maid with him so trim doth he take And briskly doth treat her with a pot and a cake. If his purse will be strong he will venture to see The monkeys to dance and the goose with legs three, All this having seen, he home doth repair Being enough to talk of until the next fair. The finnikin shopkeeper once in the year To eat a boar's head takes his wife to the fair. There is no denial, he with her must go And takes in his pocket an angel or two Then merry they make while the music doth play But if I be not mistaken, full dear they must pay - A crown for the head of a pig three week's old All this must be had or my mistress will scold Then away, bonny lads, and fine lasses make haste And some of these Bartholomew rarities taste No question but all of you will be content And that of your money you will not repent: Make use of your time whilst time you have here, Who knows who shall be at the fair the next year Merry Andrew doth call you, the music invites To partake of their pleasures and taste their delights.