The Isle of Wight's county town of Newport in the Tudor period was very different from the Newport of today.

There were generally three main trading spaces (see map, main image). The church was at the centre of St Thomas’s Square, which had the corn market around it. To the north was the fish and meat shambles (or slaughterhouses), to the south were the retail shops.

Each trade had its own strict rules and regulations, including what amount they could charge for their goods. Trading was also forbidden without the appropriate licence from the bailiffs.

North-east of the church was the cheese cross, which was an area designated for the trading of dairy produce. This formed the area heading down to the quay.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Farmer's Market continues the market tradition in the centre of Newport today.The Farmer's Market continues the market tradition in the centre of Newport today.

In the centre of this area was the Town Hall, which contained the audit house and nearby was a building where the Knighten Court was held.

The Knighten court was unique to the Isle of Wight, and heard the pleas of knights. It had no jury, and was held by the freeholders on the Island to decide on the cases, which were mostly by the 17th Century dealing with debt and trespass.

However the Governor of the Isle of Wight back in the Norman period had considerable power within the Knighten court, as the Islanders were subject to his rule before that of the king, and he could decide on the justice meted out. By the 17th Century this power had been significantly reduced.

St James’s Square held the beast market. This had a bull ring and stake, a necessity for butchers in the Tudor period, as they were forbidden to kill a bull that had not been first baited.

The area of the beast market was also used as an area for punishment. A witch was burnt at the stake here in the Elizabethan period. The father of Edward Denys had accused her of bewitching his sister. The Newport accounts also detail payment for a stake on which to put the traitor’s head!

In St James’s Square now is a memorial to Queen Victoria, which was erected in 1901.

Isle of Wight County Press: A drawing of the livestock market when it was held in St James's Square. Image courtesy of Joanne Thornton.A drawing of the livestock market when it was held in St James's Square. Image courtesy of Joanne Thornton.

The fair was a very popular event, looked forward to all year by the residents of the Island and held in Newport yearly at Pentecost for three days.

At the time of the fair, a special court was in session called the court of Pie powder. This dealt with all matters to do with traders and contracts made during the fair.

This was held in the Pavilion court, which was located to the west of the church of St Thomas.

This was eventually turned into an inn called the Newport Arms in the 19th Century.

A gloved hand was displayed outside the Pavilion court, this signified that a fair was being held, so rules on drunkenness and disorderly behaviour were relaxed during this time.

Isle of Wight County Press: The gloved hand used at St James's Day in Yarmouth. Newport would have had a similar hand. Photo: IWCP Archive.The gloved hand used at St James's Day in Yarmouth. Newport would have had a similar hand. Photo: IWCP Archive.

In Yarmouth on St James’ Day, a gloved hand is still placed outside the town hall, keeping the tradition alive.

There was a gentlemen’s club in Newport, which was established in 1710 and attended by many notable gentlemen of the Island, it was abolished in 1810. The club was located in the old assembly rooms, which were then known as the Sun Inn.

Members met monthly on the Tuesday preceding or on the night of the full moon. No doubt to enable them to find their ways back home!

Isle of Wight County Press: The statue which once stood outside The Blue School. Picture by Joanne Thornton.The statue which once stood outside The Blue School. Picture by Joanne Thornton.

In Crocker Street there was The Blue School, established in 1761, as a school to educate poor girls so that they could get jobs in service. The girls had to enter service for a year once they finished school to put their skills into use and to benefit the Island community.

The uniform was a blue dress, a white apron, cap and black boots. The girls were given the uniform when they started along with a bible and a prayer book.

The statue which stands over the entrance today is a replica, the original is in the Carisbrooke Castle Museum.

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