The Middleton Accounts of 1526: #8

The next entry in the Middleton household accounts of Sir Henry Willoughby from 1526 was a bulk folio covering payments for “stuff” bought at Lichfield Fair on 14th February. Only a short extract of this was recorded in the copy of the accounts in the Middleton Manuscripts.

When the Willoughby family was based at Middleton Hall, one of the main Fairs they visited for their fresh food produce was Lichfield Fair. The Lichfield Fair that was held in February became known as the Shrovetide Fair. However, this was technically only established by Royal Charter in 1623, but a Fair held around that time is known to have existed for centuries beforehand. This Fair was held to coincide with Shrove Tuesday and the start of Lent in order to capitalise on the need for Lenten permissible foods, such as fish and preserved foods. As a result, the Fair was highly renowned for its sale of cured fish.

The extract in the Middleton Manuscripts stated that the items purchased on this visit to the Fair included: red and white herrings; sprats, which were a type of small saltwater fish; 8 “spruce” eels; salmon; mussels; oil; 6 gallons of honey; and currants. Some ironmongery products were also purchased at the same time and it is known that amongst the items purchased was a brass pan for 21 pence, which was the equivalent of about £38.61 today.

It is believed that the eels were probably conger eels from either Prussia or the Baltic. They were purchased at the cost of 6 shillings 8 pence, which was the equivalent of about £147.09. This entry in the accounts was also one of the few mentions of honey. When honey was mentioned in the accounts, it was either at the start of the year, which was when production was at its lowest, or for a special event. This was because, at Middleton, there was normally enough honey produced from their own hives to fulfil demand. Nevertheless, it was a rarely purchased item and is therefore noteworthy that it was on the accounts in 1526.

Food Market at Middleton Hall, 2015. Photograph taken by Joanna Habart.

Next entry: 21st February

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p.380.

Mark Dawson, Plenti and Grase, 2009.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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