Chewton Market

The right to hold a market or fair was granted to the Fitzrogers,  who were Lords of the Manor  of Chewton Mendip, in 1348 which unfortunately was the year that the Black Death first struck. Priddy may have been favoured because its position at the boundary of several villages.

Markets or fairs were originally a commercial enterprise but they also  had a social value and the fairground was surrounded by pubs. The income from the fair was held  by the  tenants of Unicorn in 1740 and it is believed the Falcon and New Inn were close by. The Royal Oak was not too far away either.

The fair was still in operation in the early 20th century.