Medieval fair re-enactment returns to Leper Chapel

Aerial view of a previous fair outside the Leper Chapel, a rectangular building made from pale stone with narrow windows and a slated roof. On the grass are people stood in a circle holding hands, they appear to be starting a dance. Behind them are some musicians who are also in medieval dress, with long garments over the backs of their heads and long dresses. Surrounding them is another circle of people - visitors to the fair who are watching the performance. — Image caption,
When the leper colony closed in the late 13th Century, the fair was handed over to the town, and by 1589, it had grown to become a five-week event

Harriet Heywood

BBC News, Cambridgeshire

8 hours ago

A re-enactment a famous medieval fair will be hosted at one of a city's oldest complete buildings.

Stourbridge Fair will take place on Saturday 6 September, at the Leper Chapel off Newmarket Road in Cambridge.

The fair was originally granted permission by King John and was first held in 1211 to raise money to support the hospital caring for the city's lepers.

Jess Norris, organising the fair, said the re-enactment would help people connect with "900 years of fascinating history, while embracing the modern world".

Two men stood outside the light stone bricked chapel. They are wearing black robes with a white collar and university graduation hats on their heads. The man on the left is reading from a scroll. — Image caption,
A 'Cry' set out the rules for the fair, including how beer could be sold, fines for mis-selling and banning bad behaviour

The Grade I listed Leper Chapel, just off Abbey Road, also known as the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, is one of the oldest buildings in the city.

It was originally the chapel of an isolation hospital caring for people with leprosy.

King John issued the fair's charter and it grew until the 18th Century, when the Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe described it as "not only the greatest in the whole nation, but in the world, external".

At its height it became a small town - and at one point the layout included street-names.

It later declined in popularity, but was revived two decades ago.

Interior of Cambridge Leper Chapel, showing white washed walls, a wooden beamed roof above, a wooden altar below a window, with a cross hanging on the wall above it — Image caption,
The chapel was used to store the fair's stalls in the 18th Century and was also used as its bar, before being advertised for sale as a storage shed

"The idea is to bring a bit of history to people in the modern day, but also we want people to experience what it would have been originally," said Ms Norris.

"It was a big community event so we want to make it feel similar... there should be lots of different things and crafts, people will be selling some of their goods as well."

She added the "free community event" would also include dancers, musicians, storytellers and history talks.

The free fair starts at 12:00 BST on Saturday with the traditional opening proclamation, given by the Proctor of the University of Cambridge.