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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Bartholomew Fair
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(1614) Comedy by Ben *Jonson, following the fortunes of various visitors to London's very lively Bartholomew Fair. Held each year on and around St Bartholomew's Day (Aug. 24) at *Smithfield, the fair had originated in the 12C to provide funds for the adjacent priory of *St Bartholomew the Great. It became the country's greatest cloth fair and a famous centre of entertainment, with many theatrical booths and puppet shows (an important feature of Jonson's play). The fair lasted till 1855, when the site was cleared for the covered Smithfield market.
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