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.
This text comes from a footnote on a diary entry in the 1893 edition edited by Henry B. Wheatley.
2 Annotations
First Reading
Paul Brewster • Link
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."
Second Reading
Bill • Link
It was afterwards known as May Fair and not finally abolished till the reign of George III.
---Diary and correspondence of Samuel Pepys, the diary deciphered by J. Smith. 1854.