How did Taunton Market change through time?

Why do we know more about Taunton Market during the last 250 years than we do about the earlier period?

The documents in this pack have been chosen to help pupils investigate these two questions.  The range of documents includes images, maps and plans, extracts from written archives and some key printed material.  Introductory notes to each section help to explain the history of the market and how the documents relate to each period.  There is also a short history of Taunton to 1930, and a supplement of extracts from minutes and reports to be used by more able pupils.
 

The pack is divided into six sections:

1.  General
2.  Early days
3.  18^th and 19^th century changes
4.  Taunton market catchment area 1893
5.  The livestock market
6.  The market moves, 1929
 

The general section includes a map of Taunton in 1791 and extracts from the historical survey of Taunton Market, 1937. 

The early days section includes a later copy of the 904 market charter, extracts and translations from Domesday Book, a photograph of early coins, a painting of Dunster Market in 1500 and a Quarter Sessions pick-pocketing case from 1687.

18^th and 19^th century documents include: paintings and photographs of the market, including paintings by Harry Frier; extracts from the Taunton Courier regarding faulty weights and measures, goose fraud, prices and the condition of the streets after markets; a table of tolls in 1822; and plans of the market in 1769 and 1926.

The Taunton market catchment area section comprises a map of the catchment area and a letter of complaint from butchers using the market, written in 1893.

Documents relating to the livestock market include photographs of the sheep and cattle market and a plan of Castle Green.

The section on the market’s move in 1929 includes a map of the new market site, 1930, extracts from the 1937 historical survey of the market, extracts from a brochure published at the opening of the new market improvements, 1954, and a photograph of loading sheep at the market, 1998. 

This pack supported the Taunton Market Project, which ran from 2005 to 2006 and involved pupils from 23 primary schools in and around Taunton.  For more information about the project, please contact the Senior Archivist (Learning) on 01823 278805.

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