Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
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1893 text
August, 1661: “This year the Fair, called St. James’s Fair, was kept the full appointed time, being a fortnight; but during that time many lewd and infamous persons were by his Majesty’s express command to the Lord Chamberlain, and his Lordship’s direction to Robert Nelson, Esq., committed to the House of Correction.”—Rugge’s Diurnal. St. James’s fair was held first in the open space near St. James’s Palace, and afterwards in St. James’s Market. It was prohibited by the Parliament in 1651, but revived at the Restoration. It was, however, finally suppressed before the close of the reign of Charles II.
Annotations
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L&M Footnote clearly sets the date for this event: “Held for the 14 days following St James’s day (25 July) in the road from St James’s Palace to Tyburn.”