Exeter celebrates centuries-old tradition of Lammas Fair

History comes to life in Exeter on Friday 5 July, with the centuries-old tradition of Lammas Fair.

The colourful ceremony of the Proclamation of the Fair dates back more than 900 years and Exeter is one of the few cities to maintain the tradition.

The word Lammas derives from the Anglo-Saxon Hlafmaesse or Loaf Mass. Lammas Day, the festival of St Peter and Vincula, was when the first fruits of the harvest were offered to the Church in the form of a loaf.

The franchise of a fair was a very valuable possession, giving exclusive right to tolls on all articles sold. The fair generally lasted for three days.

The Lammas Fair White Glove was displayed during the fair and was a sign of Royal protection of the peace. The large leather, stuffed glove was attached to a long pole and was decorated with ribbons and a garland of flowers. Prior to the hoisting of the Glove, a Proclamation was made to declare the Fair open. The Proclamation was issued at the time of Edward III in 1330.

The pageant starts with a procession led by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Rachel Lyons walking through the City Centre to the Guildhall where the proclamation will take place.

The Lord Mayor will be joined by other Civic Heads from across Devon, Exeter City Council’s Chief Executive & Growth Director, Karime Hassan, and other civic dignitaries followed by the Lammas Fair Pole and Glove, decorated with a traditional garland, carried by a Mace Sergeant. Behind them will be pupils from Exeter Cathedral Pre-Prep School , St Sidwell’s Church of England Primary School, Bowhill Primary School, West Exe Technology College and Whipton Barton Infants and Nursery School.

The Lammas Fair Glove will then be hoisted over the Guildhall portico on the arrival of the Civic Procession, where it will remain for three days.

The procession begins at 11.30am.