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The Britons had lost their guardians and the Saxons were called to their aid, but though extremely
effective in tyranny, they were next to useless as protectors.
The Romans left Exeter in the early C5th and there was a total silence in the history of Exeter for almost 300 years. No reference, no documents, coins or pottery. No buildings. In 680, St Boniface was born near Crediton and it was mentioned that he received his first education in Exeter at the Abbey. The Anglo Saxons did not occupy Exeter until 658, having come to terms with the British
inhabitants. Both lived in their own parts of the City until Athelstan
kicked out the British around 928. The Cathedral area was most likely the Anglo Saxon Quarter with and
area known as Little Britayne on many maps (in the Bartholomew St area), the British quarter.
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The Lammas Fair still takes place today in mid-summer, although in name only. The fair today bears
little resemblance to what it was when first introduced in pre-Norman times. 'Lammas' is derived from
'Loaf Mass' (the anglo-saxon Hlafmasse). Lammas day is 1st August when the fruits of harvest were offered
to the Church in the form of a loaf. The ancient fair began on 31st July but today takes place some time
during the summer. The Exeter City Council website has a very good account of the development of the fair and
others. There is a link on the Local Links page.
The current celebration involves the Mayor, some school children and a white glove. The mayor sets off from the Civic Centre in Paris Street in the old Sherrif's Coach with a band and procession of school-children. They head to the Guildhall via High Street lead by the Mace Seargeant carrying the Lammas Fair glove. Upon arrival at the Guildhall the Mayor reads the Proclamation of the Fair and the glove is hoisted up on the flagpole from the veranda of the Guildhall. Tents are erected on the Cathedral Green but what goes on in these I have no idea. Some of us have to work! |