Market Towns in England - England

England

In pre-19th century England, the majority of the population made their living through agriculture and livestock farming. Most lived where they worked, with relatively few in towns. Therefore, farmers and their wives brought their produce to informal markets held on the grounds of their church after worship. Market towns grew up at centres of local activity and were an important feature of rural life, as some place names remind us: Market Drayton, Market Harborough, Market Deeping, Market Weighton, Chipping Norton, Chipping Ongar and Chipping Sodbury — chipping was derived from a Saxon verb meaning "to buy".

Market towns often grew up close to fortified places such as castles, to enjoy their protection. Framlingham in Suffolk is a notable example. Markets were located where transport was easiest, such as at a crossroads or close to a river ford. When local railway lines were first built, market towns were given priority to ease the transport of goods. In Calderdale, West Yorkshire, several market towns close together were designated to take advantage of the new trains. The designation of Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden illustrate such an example.

The English monarchy created a system by which a new market town could not be established within a certain travelling distance of an existing one. This limit was usually a day's worth of travelling to and from the market, and buying or selling goods. If the travel time exceeded this standard, a new market town could be established in that locale. As a result of the limit, market towns often petitioned the Monarch to close down illegal markets in other towns. These distances are still law in England today. Other markets can be held provided that they are licensed by the holder of the Royal Charter, which tends currently to be the local Town Council. Failing that, the Crown can grant a license.

As traditional market towns developed, they had a wide main street or central market square. These provided room for people to set up stalls and booths on market days. Often the town erected a market cross in the centre of the town, to obtain God's blessing on the trade. The cross was also a reminder "not to defraud by cheapening". Some take this warning to suggest that market traders were dishonest. Instead, it was a warning to townsfolk not to haggle the traders so low as to discourage their returning.

Notable examples of market crosses in England are the Chichester Cross and Malmesbury Market Cross. Market towns often featured a market hall, with administrative or civic quarters on the upper floor, above a covered trading area. Market towns with smaller status include Minchinhampton, Nailsworth and Painswick near Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Colchester claims to be England's oldest recorded market town.

A "market town" may or may not have rights concerning self-government that are usually the legal basis for defining a "town". Newport, Shropshire is in the borough of Telford and Wrekin, but is separate from Telford. In England, towns with such rights are usually distinguished with the additional status of Borough. It is generally accepted that, in these such cases, when a Town was granted a Market, it gained the additional autonomy conferred to separate towns.

The National Market Traders Federation (NMTF), situated in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has around 32,000 members and close links with market traders' federations throughout Europe. According to the UK National Archives, there is no single register of modern entitlements to hold markets and fairs although historical charters up to 1516 are listed in the Gazetter of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales.