31/7/2006 - Centuries-old tradition re-enacted at Broughton in Furness : Cumbria County Council

The historic market town of Broughton-in-Furness will ring to the sound of a centuries old ritual at noon on August 1st with the annual proclamation of the town’s fair.

Cumbria County Council chairman Allan Caine will read the Proclamation of the Fair and add his name to the ancient charter.

The county council is the modern Lord of the Manor of Broughton, and the council's chairmen continue the ancient ceremony with traditional pomp and pageantry, including the "quaffing of good ale" and the scattering of pennies to children.

Having assembled at The Old King's Head Hotel in Broughton at 11.45 am, the official party will be led to the obelisk in the Village Square by the Acting Bailiff Keith Nixon, carrying the ceremonial halberd.

From the steps of the obelisk, county councillor Oliver Pearson will introduce the proceedings and county council chairman Allan Caine will read the Proclamation which will then be repeated by parish council chairperson Lynne Burch.

After the singing of the National Anthem the spectacle will continue with the scattering of new pennies for children by members of the official party.

The villagers will then be invited to return to The Old King's Head Hotel where, in time-honoured fashion, they will receive Fair Cake and ale and where Mr Caine will propose a toast to "The Queen, Duke of Lancaster".

Mr Caine will then sign Broughton’s historic Charter, which contains the signatures of every person who has read the Proclamation since Henry Stanley, Lord Strange, 4th Earl of Derby, first proclaimed the Charter in 1593.

All media are welcome to attend. The text of the proclamation is included in the notes for editors section of this release.

Notes for Editors

1. THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF CUMBRIA LORDS OF THE MANOR OF BROUGHTON AND OF THIS FAIR AND MARKET STRICTLY CHARGETH AND COMMANDETH ON THE QUEEN'S MAJESTY'S BEHALF THAT ALL MANNER OF PERSONS REPAIRING TO THIS FAIR AND MARKET DO KEEP HER MAJESTY'S PEACE UPON PAIN OF FIVE POUNDS TO BE FORFEITED TO HER MAJESTY AND THEIR BODIES TO BE IMPRISONED DURING THE LORDS' PLEASURE.

2. ALSO THAT NO MANNER OF PERSONS WITHIN THIS FAIR OR MARKET DO BEAR ANY BILL BATTLE AXE OR ANY SUCH PROHIBITED WEAPONS BUT SUCH AS BE APPOINTED BY THE LORDS' OFFICERS TO KEEP THIS FAIR OR MARKET UPON PAIN OF FORFEITURE OF ALL SUCH WEAPONS AND FURTHER IMPRISONMENT OF THEIR BODIES.

3. ALSO THAT NO MANNER OF PERSONS DO PICK ANY QUARREL MATTER OR CAUSE FOR ANY OLD GRUDGE OR MALICE TO MAKE ANY PERTURBATION OR TROUBLE WITHIN THIS PRESENT FAIR OR MARKET UPON PAIN OF FIVE POUNDS TO BE FORFEITED TO THE LORDS AND THEIR BODIES TO BE IMPRISONED DURING THE LORDS' PLEASURE.

4. ALSO THAT NONE BUY OR SELL IN CORNERS BACKSIDES OR HIDDEN PLACES BUT IN OPEN FAIR OR MARKET UPON PAIN OF FORFEITURE OF ALL SUCH GOODS AND MERCHANDISE SO BOUGHT AND SOLD AND THEIR BODIES TO BE IMPRISONED DURING THE LORDS' PLEASURE.

5. ALSO THAT NO MANNER OF PERSONS SHALL SELL ANY GOODS WITH UNLAWFUL MEET OR MEASURE YARDS OR WEIGHTS BUT SUCH AS BE LAWFUL AND KEEP THE TRUE ASSIZE UPON PAIN OF FORFEITURE OF ALL SUCH GOODS AND FURTHER IMPRISONMENT OF THEIR BODIES.

6. LASTLY IF ANY MANNER OF PERSONS WITHIN THIS FAIR OR MARKET DO FIND THEMSELVES GRIEVED OR HAVE ANY INJURIES OR WRONG COMMITTED OR DONE AGAINST THEM LET THEM REPAIR TO THE LORDS OR THEIR OFFICERS AND THERE THEY SHALL BE HEARD ACCORDING TO RIGHT EQUITY AND JUSTICE.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN AND THE LORDS OF THIS MANOR