The last Bartholomew Fair held in London (1855)

The final Bartholomew Fair occurred in 1855 at West Smithfield, London. City authorities suppressed the event, viewing it as a source of public disorder and inappropriate Victorian entertainment. This closure marked the end of a centuries-old tradition that had been held annually since its 1133 charter grant.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Bartholomew Fair was a prominent London summer charter fair, established in 1133 to fund the Priory of St Bartholomew. It was held annually on St Bartholomew's Day within the precincts of the Priory at West Smithfield. By the mid-19th century, the fair had become associated with unruly crowds and entertainment deemed inappropriate for Victorian society.

Closure. In 1855, the City authorities closed the fair, citing its degeneration into a magnet for debauchery and public disorder. The suppression was justified by the perception that the fair's activities were inappropriate for Victorian London. This action ended the annual tradition that had persisted since the medieval period.

Context. West Smithfield, located in the City of London, was the fair's traditional site. The area was historically significant for its livestock market and religious institutions. The closure of the fair coincided with broader changes in London's urban landscape, including the opening of the Metropolitan Cattle Market in 1855.

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Sources

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