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Beverley Saturday Market

A Tale of Two Markets

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Beverley Saturday Market

A TALE OF TWO MARKETS

Visitors to the town’s Saturday Market cannot have failed to notice the growing number of empty stalls, and the lack of vibrancy that prevails. Whether it is due to the state of the economy or the lingering effects of the Pandemic, it is hard to say. However, we will look back at the history of both Beverley’s markets, and remember the times when they truly were the beating heart of the town.

The town boasts a rich tradition of markets and fairs that have been central to its economic and social life for centuries. From its medieval origins to the present day, Beverley’s markets have evolved, reflecting the town’s resilience and adaptability.

The establishment of Beverley’s markets dates back to the medieval period. In the early 12th century, Archbishop Thurstan granted the town the right to hold fairs four times a year, each lasting up to five days. These fairs were pivotal events, facilitating trade and social interaction.

Saturday Market became known as such in the 16th century. Before that, it was referred to simply as ‘the market’ or ‘the high market’. Over time, specific areas within the market became associated with particular trades, such as the corn market at Corn Hill and the meat market at Butcher Row.

Wednesday Market was initially called Fish Market due to its specialization, the name Wednesday Market emerged in the mid-15th century. Situated closer to the Minster, this market complemented the Saturday Market by offering a venue for different goods and traders.

Throughout the centuries, Beverley’s markets adapted to changing economic and social landscapes.

During the 18th and 19th Centuries, the town’s markets continued to thrive, with the Corn Exchange being established in 1886 to support the grain trade. Designed by Samuel Musgrave in the Italianate style, the Corn Exchange became a central hub for traders.

The traditional livestock markets experienced a decline. By 1928, the sale of sheep and cattle had dwindled, with the focus shifting towards general goods and entertainment. The pleasure fairs gained popularity, evolving into significant social events. However, as the size of fairground equipment increased and motor vehicles became more widespread, the traditional market squares became less suitable for such events. In 1959, the fairs were relocated from the Market Place to Morton Lane car park (now Tescos).

political corruption beverley east yorkshire

Political Corruption in Beverley

political corruption beverley east yorkshire

A PINT AND A LESSON FROM HISTORY

When walking through the town centre, it is easy to overlook a small sign on the entrance of one of the public houses. The round plaque erected by the Beverley and District Civic Society on the doorway of the Angel in Butcher Row, marks the location where one of the characters in a major polical scandal once lived. Daniel Boyes, a town councillor and then landlord of the Angel Inn, was one of two men connected to a particular instance of literally buying votes in an election. And the price of a vote? Between one and two sovereigns.

The 18th century was a period marked by widespread electoral corruption in Britain, and the East Yorkshire town of Beverley was no exception. Known for its parliamentary elections marred by bribery, intimidation, and fraud, Beverley became infamous for the extent to which corruption dictated political outcomes.

During the 18th century, Britain’s electoral system was rife with irregularities, particularly in so-called “rotten boroughs” where a small electorate wielded disproportionate power. Beverley, while not as tiny as some boroughs, had a relatively small voting population, making it susceptible to manipulation by wealthy candidates and their patrons.

Elections in Beverley were notorious for bribery, with candidates routinely offering money, gifts, or other incentives to secure votes. Wealthy candidates would spend lavishly, often exceeding their legal means, to ensure victory. The town’s electorate, consisting of freemen who had the right to vote, often expected such incentives and openly participated in what was essentially a bidding war.

One of the most infamous elections took place in 1768 when Henry Maister and Sir Griffith Boynton vied for a parliamentary seat. Reports indicate that bribes were distributed so openly that voters treated the election as a lucrative opportunity rather than a democratic process. Such practices were common across Britain but were particularly egregious in Beverley.

Beyond bribery, coercion played a significant role in Beverley’s electoral process. Landowners and influential figures often pressured tenants and workers to vote for particular candidates. In some cases, threats of eviction or economic reprisal were used to sway voters, further diminishing the legitimacy of the elections.

Beverley’s corrupt elections eventually led to scrutiny. In 1868, almost a century after some of its most corrupt contests, an election scandal led to a parliamentary inquiry. It was revealed that hundreds of voters had accepted bribes, leading to the borough being disfranchised in 1870. This was part of a broader movement to clean up Britain’s electoral system, culminating in reforms such as the Ballot Act of 1872, which introduced secret voting and helped curb bribery.

The history of elections in Beverley during the 18th century serves as a stark example of how corruption pervaded Britain’s political system before meaningful electoral reforms took place. The legacy of these corrupt practices underscores the importance of transparency and fairness in modern democratic systems, serving as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked political influence.

priests room st marys church beverley

Strange Tales – The Town’s More Unusual History

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STRANGE TALES – THE TOWN’S MORE UNUSUAL HISTORY

The road from the North Bar to Westwood gate was formerly called Cockstulpit Lane or Ducking Stool Lane, from the Ducking Stool, which stood at the North Bar Dyke, at the and of that lane. The Ducking Stool was used here, at the Bar Dyke (the parish horse pond), to punish ” too free dames,” “saucy scolding queans,” suspected witches, and others, since before the Conquest, and was not abolished until about the middle of the eighteenth century. So the Bar Dyke was, for many centuries, a pool of terror to the termagant and shrew.

The Handbook to Beverley (1903)

For those of us who grew up in Beverley during the 1960s, the town held many mysteries and inspired endless adventures. It was especially so for those who enjoyed a good ration of curiosity and imagination. From playing in what were then the ruins of the Old Friary to ghost-hunting up Seven Corners Lane, searching for the specter of the Grey Nurse. Personally, one of the most memorable experiences was gaining access to the Priest’s Room in St Mary’s Church. Back then it resembled more a forgotten storeroom than the more polished museum we know today. Among decommissioned chunks of architectural masonry and other retired church artifacts were a set of ancient stocks and several scold’s bridles. It felt like the only thing that was missing were the words of Edgar Allan Poe!

Gallows Lane and Tiger Lane also held a fascination for the young mind. Which tree along the former thoroughfare had served the bloody purpose, or had there been a properly constructed gibet? It was certainly an eerie place to venture along after dark, especially in the winter months when the winds forced the boughs to creak. As for Tiger Lane with its old tales of witches and ducking stools, nothing as such remained to kindle the imagination. The Bar Dyke that had provided the source of water had long since been covered over and the land taken into private ownership. But that didn’t stop us searching.