'Shallot' to see at onion-themed market

Men and women with shopping bags walk through a street lined with market stalls.Image source, South Kesteven District Council
Image caption,

The event will run alongside Grantham's monthly farmers' market and regular market

ByDavid McKenna
East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
  • Published

Visitors are invited to sample a range of onion and medieval-inspired food as part of a centuries-old tradition taking place in a Lincolnshire market town.

Grantham's Medieval Onion Fair, which once drew visitors to see the holy relics at St Wulfram's church in the town, will take place on 10 October, alongside the regular market and monthly farmers' market.

Highlights will include knights, history, music, crafts and "plenty of onions on offer", South Kesteven District Council said.

Market traders will also don medieval costumes and decorate their stalls with onion-themed displays, products and decorations in celebration of the historic fair, the authority added.

Circa 1480, King Richard III (1452 - 1485) wearing a chain of office and playing with a ring on his little finger. Image source, Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Image caption,

The fair was established during the reign of King Richard III

The event features the Knights of Skirbeck, a re-enactment society, who will showcase the skills of medieval life, including blacksmithing, armour-making, tanning and candle-making.

The Rutland Renaissance Dancers will also entertain crowds with traditional medieval performances, host a dance workshop and stage a medieval fashion show.

The fair was established during the reign of King Richard III, who granted Grantham a charter giving the town the right to host a weekly market and two annual fairs.

The onion fair became a core part of these celebrations.

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