There have been markets and fairs in Melton Mowbray since at least Saxon times, most likely for around 1,500 years. The market is the third oldest recorded market in the country and the only market in the whole of Leicestershire (including Leicester) to have been recorded in the Domesday book of 1086.
The town was formally granted a Market Charter in 1324 by Edward II and it has been held on a Tuesday ever since. The rights to the Market Charter and the title of Lord of the Manor were bought by the Melton Mowbray Town Estate in 1850.
It is intended to run a Fair (Melton Royal Fair) during the period of the Royal Melton Weekend. It will follow a similar model to the popular 40’s weekend with food, craft and other stalls as well as re-enactors from the various periods of the monarchs who visited Melton.
It is proposed to employ re-enactors to dress as each of the Kings and Queens who have visited Melton.