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Rothwell Fair

From the collection of

Media Archive for Central England
MACE is the strategic lead organisation for screen heritage for the East and West Midlands regions. An independent charity based at University of Lincoln, MACE preserves and makes accessible a collection of more than 100,000 historic moving images representative of the diverse cultures and histories of communities throughout the heart of England from the Lincolnshire coast to the Welsh border.

Rothwell Fair (ATV Today)

It may look like a riot but there's a long history behind this punch up at Rothwell.

Early in the morning of Proclamation Day in the Northamptonshire town of Rothwell the local bailiff, while on horseback, reads out the 1204 charter from King John which granted market status on the town. Rum and milk is served, the town's people attempt to disarm the bailiff's attendents in a bit of a scuffle and then the group move on to the next pub to repeat the process! An elaborate pub crawl or a celebration of the town's historical development?

Proclamation Day in Rothwell is the first Monday after Trinity Sunday. The Royal Charter was issued to Rothwell by King John in 1204.

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