Festivals+and+fairs

=Middle Ages Festivals and Fairs By Brooke =



Fairs and Festivals were held once a year in the Middle Ages. Some fairs lasted up to weeks. Sometimes, fairs were held, because of a religious holiday or celebration. Festivals were held including local residents, caused by a wedding. Many people looked forward to fairs, because they were one of the most popular events of the year. They were a great source of entertainment, and a place to buy or sell goods. Merchants traveled from all over to trade and buy items sold in that fair. The fairs and festivals were important in everyday life. Usually, fairs were held in border regions, where people could travel to more easily. The fairs had many performers and contests within them, which made the fairs more exciting. Fairs were very important to people in the middle ages.

Fairs were usually held in border regions. They were held there, so merchants and occasional performers could travel to the location more easily. The performers include citizens who juggled, played music, performed acrobatic tricks, and much more. Many routes or roads were set up and created while the merchants traveled and performers traveled. One important fair during the middle ages was the Champagne Fairs in Northern France. They were a series of yearly fairs. The Champagne Fairs were the most popular in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. They attracted many merchants and performers. They are great examples of yearly fairs in the middle ages.

Fairs weren’t usually named or defined. Today, there are a series of fairs held annually, such as the Renaissance Festival. There wasn’t actually a fair called the Renaissance Festival. The people of the middle ages didn’t classify or name the fairs. It was named after a time period. Many states also hold an annual state fair, in addition. Today's many festivals and fairs consist of the same basic elements as fairs in the middle ages. Most fairs are held yearly, and many people travel to attend them. For Example: Today, the Renaissance Festival is held once a year on many consecutive weeks. Many people in the middle ages performed at fairs and festivals. Some of these performers include jugglers, acrobats, and had many contests within them. The people in the middle ages made a huge impact on our fairs and festivals today.

In conclusion, festivals and fairs were very important celebrations in the middle ages. Because of this, many citizens looked forward to that time of year. Some fairs lasted up to weeks, while some festivals could be a couple of hours. They were usually held because of religious holidays or a town marriage. Many merchants and performers participate in the many acts during the festival or fairs. Also, many contests were held. Festivals and fairs were very important celebrations in the middle ages, that still effect our lives today.

__A Few Facts:__


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The fairs were positive for lords, because they made money off of taxes paid on the deals there. ======

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Festivals and fairs were great source of entertainment, consisting of jugglers, acrobats, and held many contests. ======

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Markets were similar to fairs, but held once a week. Therefore, they weren’t as big of a deal to the citizens. Many booths were set up selling goods, and people drove animals through the streets. ======

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Most fairs were usually held in border regions, where people of other civilizations could travel to easily. ======

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The fair that attracted the most people in the middle ages was the Champagne Fair, which was held in Northern France ======

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Items that were sold at fairs include: wine, cattle, furs, amber, spices, perfume, or silk, depending on the area. ======

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There was a money changers’ booth set up, where merchants could exchange their currency for another. ====== 

= = =__Bibliography: __= 

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2. Padrino, Mercedes__: Cities and Towns__. Wisconsin: World Almanac, 2006

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4. Streissguth, Thomas: __The Middle Ages__. Michigan: Greenhaven Press, 2003

5. Ocana, Juan Carlos: “Medieval Market.” Historiasiglo20. 2007. April 17, 2009 <[]>

6. Unknown Author: “Some Sort Of Medieval Contest” Webshots. 2004. April 17, 2009. <[]>