The Stourbridge Fair was held annually just outside Cambridge from the 13th century until the 19th century. It began as a small local gathering organized by the Leper Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene to raise funds for the hospital caring for people with leprosy. However, over time, it grew into a bustling marketplace, drawing merchants, entertainers, and visitors from all over Europe and even beyond.
Today, the Cambridge Past, Present & Future organization occasionally holds a Stourbridge Fair reenactment at the Leper Chapel to celebrate its history and bring this ancient tradition back to life. These modern fairs feature historical re-enactments, traditional crafts, and displays, giving visitors a sense of the original Stourbridge Fair’s atmosphere. While it may not be the massive market it once was, the fair’s spirit lives on, and it remains an important part of Cambridge’s heritage and local identity.
Origins and Early Days
The fair was initially granted a royal charter in 1211 by King John, giving it official status and protection. Located on the banks of the River Cam near Stourbridge Common, the fair was held every September, coinciding with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, which was an important date in the medieval Christian calendar. The Leper Chapel and its surrounding grounds provided a spiritual and physical foundation for the event, starting with a blessing and prayer to mark its beginning each year.
The Rise to Fame
By the 14th century, Stourbridge Fair had exploded in size and reputation, becoming known as the largest fair in England and one of the most significant trading events in Europe. The fair attracted merchants from far and wide, bringing goods from France, Italy, Spain, the Baltic, and beyond. It was a place to buy and sell nearly anything, including spices, silk, wool, glass, and exotic items that people in England rarely saw. The fair also traded in livestock, grains, textiles, and leather goods, serving as a critical marketplace for both local and foreign commerce.
Stourbridge Fair became so popular that temporary wooden shops and warehouses were set up on the fairgrounds, creating a temporary “city” bustling with business and entertainment. Each year, shopkeepers, craftsmen, and traders set up their stalls, and a wide variety of food vendors offered everything from freshly baked bread to roasted meats. Travelers stayed in makeshift lodgings or tents, and the fair would last for several weeks, with visitors staying as long as business and entertainment lasted.
Entertainment and Social Life
In addition to the commercial aspects, Stourbridge Fair was a major social event, filled with entertainment and leisure activities. There were jugglers, acrobats, musicians, storytellers, and minstrels to amuse the crowds. Horse racing, games, and other competitions were also common, attracting spectators and competitors from across the region. Plays and mystery performances were often staged, and the fair was one of the few opportunities for the public to experience these forms of entertainment, which were otherwise uncommon.
The fair was also a place for intellectual exchange, especially during the later medieval and Renaissance periods. Cambridge scholars and professors would attend to debate ideas, purchase books, or simply socialize. It became a melting pot of classes and cultures, with peasants, merchants, nobility, scholars, and clergy all mingling.
Decline and Revival Attempts
Stourbridge Fair began to decline in the 18th century due to several factors. The rise of permanent markets, improvements in road networks, and the development of new trading hubs meant that large, traveling fairs were less necessary. The advent of railroads in the 19th century further contributed to the fair’s decline, as goods could be transported more easily, and markets became more accessible year-round.
By the mid-19th century, Stourbridge Fair had almost disappeared, and it officially ceased in the early 20th century. However, its legacy was not forgotten, and in the 20th century, there were several attempts to revive the fair as a cultural and historical event.
How to Get There
The Leper Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene is located at Barnwell Junction on Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8JJ, near the Cambridge United football stadium.
- By Bus: Stagecoach Citi 3 bus service stops close by; get off at the Coldhams Common / Ditton Walk stop. It is also possible to use the Newmarket Road Park & Ride bus.
- By Bicycle or On Foot: The chapel can be reached on cycle/foot by using several cycle routes, including Riverside and Chisholm Trail, or alongside Newmarket Road. Cycles can be locked to the railings next to the chapel.