The ways that people shop have changed dramatically over the years.   This past year alone, due to the pandemic, we have seen an increase in the use of online grocery delivery and curbside pick-up ordering.  People adjusted their shopping to limit trips, and unexpected shortages of items became common. In this month’s virtual event, we will take a look at what it was like to do your shopping if you lived in England during the Tudor and Stuart Era. 

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This history of how market towns developed in England tells us a great deal about how the country developed.  We’ll take a look at how these towns began to pop up during the Middle Ages.  What were the characteristics of certain places that made them more desirable as sites of trade? We look at how the expanse in trade effected these towns.  And we will look at these towns today to see how their beginnings as market centers may have affected how they look today. 

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Agecroft Hall was located near several important market towns.  Since the markets were of different size and specialty, it will be interesting to figure out which markets the inhabitants of Agecroft took their wares to. We will take a look at some of the products that the Daunteseys may have taken to these different markets.  And we will look at the items that would have been for sale at these markets, and see if we can figure out what they might have purchased. 

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Finally, we will take a look at the people at the market.  Who were the people who shopped there? What merchants sold their wares at the market?  We’ll also delve into the laws that regulated the markets.  As the markets got larger and more money was changing hands, laws were passed and officials were appointed to keep things running smoothly.  These laws were not always met by universal applause. 

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Join us as we look at the market towns of England.  We hope this event gives you some new information about these towns, as well as a glimpse into the everyday life of the Daunteseys and their neighbors.