Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The Market Place outside of the entrance to the Cathedral Precincts at the end of Burgate, now known as the Buttermaket, was originally known as the 'Bull's -Stake'. By the early fourteenth century, during the reign of Edward III, the market had become known as the Poultry, presumably because by then it had become a poultry market.

Monument Types

• MARKET (Medieval to Unknown - 1100 AD?)

Full description

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The Market Place outside of the entrance to the Cathedral Precincts at the end of Burgate, now known as the Buttermaket, was originally known as the 'Bull's -Stake'. It was in early medieval time called that because it was the place where the Canterbury butchers used to bait and chase bullocks before their killing, not for pleasure, but an ancient custom believed to make 'proper meat' and 'fit to be eaten'. There was also an original market cross situated there at that time. By the early fourteenth century, during the reign of Edward III, the market had become known as the Poultry, presumably because by then it had become a poultry market. In 1446 the old cross which had become much decayed was replaced with a new one, built by John Coppin of Whitstable and William Bigg of Canterbury; whilst in 1461, John Frenyngham then Mayor, gave in his will, amongst other benefactors £20 for the repairing of St. Micheal's Gate (Burgate) and for paving the Bull Stake area.

In 1569, a number of posts were set up in the Bull-Stake, as selling places or divisions between the stalls where goods were sold. In 1581, an Iron Chain was placed across the street on market days to prevent the passing of carriages and horses during market hours. In 1594 an order was issued that the market cross was to be pulled down and the materials used towards improvements in the same place. This may not of been actioned because in 1645 the same order was issued again. This later order was followed and the cross was eventually pulled down by the mayor in 1645. It continued for many years without a market place until about the time of the Restoration (c. 1660) when John Somner, brother of the Antiquary William Somner, at the expense of upwards £400, built a handsome market-place, with several rooms over it for public use, part of which was as a repository for corn, against a time of dearth and scarcity, he demised it on a lease to the corporation for 99 years for these purposes, but it seem the corporation used him with great ingratitude, insomuch that he published in 1664 an account of the proceedings between him and them. The lease expired in 1764, since which, in 1790, the above mentioned building was taken down and a new market-place, on a much more extensive scale was erected in its place, at the expense of the corporation.

By the late eighteenth century the market had become known as the Butter Market, yet poultry was still sold there.

In 1791 the tolls at the Bull-Stake were lowered as they had become too excessive for the traders to survive.

Hasted, E, 1799, The History of the Ancient and Metropolitical City of Canterbury. Vol 1. Canterbury (Article in monograph). SKE29735.

Brent, J., 1879, Canterbury in Olden Time. (Article in monograph). SKE29965.

Sources and further reading