Bartholomew Fair

a famous fair held in Smithfield, London, 1133-1840. The fair opened on St. Bartholomew's day, August 24, Old Style, and September 3, after the change in the calendar. It was held for fourteen days at first, but at the last the period was shortened to four days. It was the great cloth fair of the kingdom. Instead of taking orders by messenger, the weavers from Flanders and at home brought their wares to Smithfield and exposed them for sale. Acres of booths were filled with all kinds of goods from which traders, tailors, and customers made their selection for the year. The fair was removed to Islington in 1840. Fifteen years later it came to an end. During the last century of its existence St. Bartholomew's fair lost its commercial character and became a mere aggregation of merry-go-rounds, jugglers' tents, venders' booths, and shows of all descriptions. Fairs were common throughout Europe. See Leipsic; Nijni-Novgorod; Fair