Stourbridge fair was an annual fair held on Stourbridge Common in Cambridge, England. At its peak it was the largest fair in Europe and was the inspiration for Bunyan's "Vanity Fair". The fair was one of four important medieval fairs held in Cambridge: Garlic Fair, Reach Fair, Midsummer Fair and Stourbridge Fair. History Origins In 1199, King John granted the Leper Chapel at Steresbrigge in Cambridge dispensation to hold a three-day fair to raise money to support the lepers. The first such fair was held in 1211 around the Feast of the Holy Cross (14 September) on the open land of Stourbridge Common alongside the River Cam. The fair's location, with the river allowing barges to travel up the Cam from The Wash, and near an important road leading to Newmarket, meant that the fair was accessible to a large population. Despite its proximity to Cambridge, the charter prohibited anyone from imposing taxes on the commerce there. During its history the fair was variously spelled "Stir-Bitch", "Stirbitch", "Stirbiche" and "Sturbridge", with its name derived from the "Steer Bridge" (i.e. a bridge for oxen), where the road to Newmarket crosses a small river that enters the Cam just to the east of the common (the name "Sture" or "Stour" now given to this river is a back-formation). An 18th century rhyme offered another explanation: Stirbitch Fair — it's name it does derive From some poor clothiers that from thence did thrive; As they were travelling over the Brook Stour, Their goods fell in and wetted were all o'er; They hung them up in order for to dry, And people bought them fast as they past by -— Having such luck, together did agree, That they the next year would come the same way; Again they came, again success they found, And 'stablish'd Stirbitch Fair upon that ground. Markets The fair contained markets for fish, wax, spices, timber, salt, cloth. Items such as these were often sold in high quantities at wholesale prices. These prices attracted rich merchants who in turn bought the luxury items that were for sale at the fair. The luxury items included pewter ware, glass, silks, velvets, linens, almonds, spices and iron goods. The fair had sections set aside for cheese sellers, shoemakers, ironmongers, horse dealers, and merchants of other trades. The markets held specialized functions and did not directly compete with local shops. The markets brought in