The Medieval Christmas Market

Market towns were designated by Royal Degree hundreds of years ago. Any town so designated will have a market on certain days of the week, which are predetermined. In Skipton, market is held every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Christmas Market is on Sunday. Most towns and villages are centered around the market square rather than the courthouse, as in America.

On market days, vendors set up stalls, much like at a craft show. In some towns the market square is similar to a parking lot when not in use. In Skipton, there is a wide area between the sidewalk and the street where the vendors erect their stalls on each side of High Street, which is approximately two blocks long.. Traffic still moves in the street. Shopping is down from the sidewalk. The market is open and doing business rain, snow, or sunshine.

The unusual thing is that the vendors sell the same kind of merchandise as the stores along the street. You can buy such things as sweaters, coats, sequined dresses, cheese, pastries, greeting cards and wrapping paper, shoes, dishes, household utensils and organizers and much more. All of these same items are available in the retail shops just across the sidewalk. Some people think the market is cheaper, but I have not found that to be true. It is more of an experience.

However, the Christmas Market is more exciting. High Street is closed to traffic. The vendors, dressed in medieval costumes, open both sides of the booths so that it is possible to shop from either side Come with me as we stroll up High Street toward the Skipton Church and Castle at the top.

The street is filled with people bundled against the cold. There are still patches of snow on the pavement from yesterday�s snowfall. Above the laughter and shouting is the music from the Punch and Judy Show. The red and gold wagon is gaily gilded and the puppets mechanically dance to the delight of the children. The music is generated from strips of punched paper, much like old music boxes, except this activates real instruments.

A small little boy gingerly inches forward to touch the mechanical monkey which sits in a chair. He is pleased with his bravery.

There is an unfamiliar smell in the air�hot, slightly pungent, and spicy. It is coming from the cart where chestnuts are being roasted. They are sold in a rolled paper cone. What with a camera, tape recorder and notebook, the chestnuts will have to wait.

A large crowd is gathered just ahead. Passing the squealing children on the flying swings, we work a way through to find an area roped off in which the Medieval re-enactors are preparing for a tournament. Each are dressed in costumes of the period. There is armor, chain mail, tunics emblazoned with coats of arms, helmets with plumes and lots of bravado. One knight is taunting the audience to enlist challengers. Others are circling though the crowd exhibiting various kinds of ancient weapons.

One of the most interesting ones that we are told about was used by the Bishop and Monk Knights. They did not use swords as that would have been a sin. They were not allowed to shed blood. Therefore they killed the infidels by bashing in their skulls with spiked balls of iron swinging from a chain. Special weapons were made for them which had a hollow core with small holes to the outside. These were soaked until filled with holy water, so that as they bludgeoned the enemy to death, they were sprinkling them with holy water at the same time and sending them into paradise.

It has started to rain. So it is time to pop into a tea shop and have afternoon tea. I�ll share more later about the charming custom of afternoon tea, and about the Lantern Procession which will be tonight.