Markets.—­Some writers have dated the existence of Birmingham as a market town as being prior to the Norman Conquest, charters (they say) for the holding of markets having been granted by both Saxon and Danish Kings.  That market was held here at an early period is evident from the fact of the charter therefore being renewed by Richard I., who visited the De Berminghams in 1189.  The market day has never been changed from Thursday, though Tuesday and Saturday besides are now not enough; in fact, every day may be called market day, though Thursday attracts more of our friends from the country.  The opening of Smithfield (May 29, 1817) was the means of concentrating the markets for horses, pigs, cattle, sheep, and farm produce, which for years previously had been offered for sale in New Street, Ann Street, High Street, and Dale End.  The Market tolls, for which L12,500 was paid in 1812, produced L5,706 10s. 5d. in the year 1840.

Cattle Market.—­Prior to 1769 cattle were sold in High Street; in that year their standings were removed to Dale End, and in 1776 (Oct. 28.) to Deritend.  Pigs and sheep were sold in New Street up to the opening of Smithfield.  Some five-and-twenty years back a movement was set on foot for the removal of the Cattle Market to the Old Vauxhall neighbourhood, but the cost frightened the people, and the project was shelved.  The “town improvers” of to-day, who play with thousands of pounds as children used to do at chuck-farthing, are not so easily baulked, and the taxpayers will doubtless soon have to find the cash for a very much larger Cattle Market in some other part of the borough.  A site has been fixed upon in Rupert Street by the “lords in Convention,” but up to now (March, 1885), the question is not quite settled.

Corn Market.—­The ancient market for corn, or “Corn Cheaping,” formed, part of “le Bul ryng” which at one time was almost the sole place of traffic of our forefathers.  At first an open space, as the market granted by the early Norman Kings grew in extent, the custom arose of setting up stalls, the right to do which was doubtless bought of the Lords of the Manor.  These grew into permanent tenements, and stallages, “freeboards,” shambles, and even houses (some with small gardens abutting on the unfenced churchyard), gradually covered the whole ground, and it ultimately cost the town a large sum to clear it, the Commissioners, in 1806-7, paying nearly L25,000 for the purpose.  The farmers of a hundred years ago used to assemble with their samples of grain round the Old Cross, or High Cross, standing nearly opposite the present Market Hall steps, and in times of scarcity, when bread was dear, they needed the protection of special constables.

Fish Market.—­In April, 1851, the fishmongers’ stalls were removed from Dale End, and the sale was confined to the Market Hall, but consequent on the increase of population, and therefore of consumption, a separate market, at corner of Bell Street, was opened in 1870, and that is now being enlarged.