Mr. Paul Methwin of Bradford succeeded his father-in-law
in the trade, and was the greatest cloathier of his
time (tempore Caroli 2nd). He was a worthy gentleman,
and died about 1667. Now (temp. Jacobi ii.)
Mr. Brewer of Troubridge driveth the greatest trade
for medleys of any cloathier in England.
Fairesand marketts.
Faires. The most celebrated faire in North Wiltshire
for sheep is at Castle Combe, on St. George’s
Day (23 April), whither sheep-masters doe come as
far as from Northamptonshire. Here is a good crosse
and market-house; and heretofore was a staple of wooll,
as John Scrope, Esq. Lord of this mannour, affirmes
to me. The market here now is very inconsiderable.
[Part of the cross and market-house remain, but there
is not any wool fair, market, or trade at Castle Combe,
which is a retired, secluded village, of a romantic
character, seated in a narrow valley, with steep
acclivities, covered with woods. The house, gardens,
&c. of George Poulett Scrope, Esq. M.P., the Lord
of the Manor, are peculiar features in this scene.
— J. B.]
At Wilton is a very noted faire for sheepe, on St.
George’s Day also; and another on St. Giles’s
Day, September the first. Graziers, &c. from
Buckinghamshire come hither to buy sheep.
Wilton was the head town of the county till Bishop
Bingham built the Bridge at Harnham which turned away
the old Roman way (in the Legier-booke of Wilton
called the heþepath, i. e. the army path), and brought
the trade to New Sarum, where it hath ever since continued.
At Chilmarke is a good faire for sheep on St. Margaret’s
day, 20th July.
Burford, near Salisbury, a faire on Lammas day; ’tis
an eminent faire for wooll and sheep, the eve is for
wooll and cheese.
At the city of New Sarum is a very great faire for
cloath at Twelf-tyde, called Twelfe Market.
In the parish of All-Cannings is St Anne’s Hill,
vulgarly called Tann Hill, where every yeare on St.
Anne’s Day (26th July), is kept a great fair
within an old camp, called Oldbury.* The chiefe commodities
are sheep, oxen, and fineries. This faire would
bee more considerable, but that Bristow Faire happens
at the same time.
* [Aubrey errs in stating “Oldbury Camp”
to be on St. Anne’s Hill; those places being
nearly two miles apart. — J. B.]
At the Devises severall faires; but the greatest is
at the Green there, at Michaelmas: it continues
about a week.
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