Its extraordinary to realise that Salisbury has had a twice weekly market since 1227!
I popped over yesterday to try find some avocado but unfortunately I didn’t find any nice ones. Instead I did find some local farmers free range eggs and promptly bought a half dozen. I avoid eggs as much as possible because I don’t know their provenance and I do know that the supermarkets ‘free range eggs’ are not truly ‘free range’. I had 2 for my supper and the first one I cracked had a double yolk šš
The market was in full swing when I got there, but not nearly as busy as I would have thought, but with Covid…its to be expected.
The colours on a grey day were a welcome sight, and although my time was limited, I did manage to whizz around and look at all the stalls.
I saw these delicious olives, and was tempted…maybe Tuesday
Later during my break, I walked through enroute from here to nowhere in particular, and it looked bereft…hardly anyone about. I guess the weather doesn’t help.
Intrigued by the date, I did a bit of research, and this is what I found. The market has been held in Salisbury since 1219 with the founding of the city, and the cathedral. At the time Salisbury was the largest city in the region and offered an opportunity for farmers and traders to sell their produce and wares.
In 1361, market days were formalised and decreed to be held every Tuesday and Saturday, a tradition that continues until today. In medieval times, the market was much larger than it is today, and even spread down side streets. The streets in the area reflect the types of goods sold during medieval times; Fish Row, Silver Street, Butcher Row and the Poultry Cross.
I wonder, did they have the equivalent of today’s chippy…?
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many a market in towns around the country over the years, but even so, the amazement of the history never wanes.
Salisbury was a settlement in Domesday Book, in the hundred of Alderbury, mentioned in the chapters for Wiltshire and Somerset.
It had a recorded population of 102 households in 1086, putting it in the largest 20% of settlements recorded in Domesday, and is listed under 2 owners in Domesday Book.
For more information about Salisbury and The Domesday Book, visit their site
And if that’s not enough history for you….Salisbury Cathedral is home to a copy of the Magna Carta too š
Not Just a Granny 
Salisbury is a very attractive city. Weren’t you lucky to get double yolk eggs!
Yeah, totally!! I haven’t seen a double yolk since the last time I worked on a farm in 2011. I love Salisbury, so much history
i cannot wait till our fresh air markets re open here as our weather is soon going to turn- I just love wandering around and getting everything fresh. At least i do have access to fresh duck eggs for now. Wonderful photos!
šš glad you enjoyed the photos. Yes, I love open air markets. I adore the French and Italian (Mediterranean) lifestyle of fresh food markets everywhere…you just pop down and fill up your basket with fresh produce for the day. I remember when I visited Venice, I loved walking along the streets in my neighbourhood where they had stalls erected right along the street. I used to shout “bon journo” to the stall holders and they’d shout back āŗāŗāŗabsolutely loved it
sounds like a scene from a movie!awesome..
I love a farm market! And according to your photo’s, there are many things that could end up in my basket – definitely some of those lovely looking olives š.
We buy our eggs from a local farm outside town and I’m surprised if I don’t get a double yolk egg!
Definitely love a farm market. One day when…I hope to live somewhere they have regular markets. I’m going to buy a small batch of olives tomorrow š I’ll let you know if they’re any good. How lovely that you can get farm eggs…I’m not always that fortunate.