Barnstaple,
Devon
Place
In 930 a.d Barnstaple was a Saxon stronghold, King Alfred
created the town a Burg (Borough) and King Athelstan established
a mint in the town.
The town grew up in the 9/10th centuries, on the ford of the
river Taw. It developed as a market town and commercial centre
serving surrounding areas with metalwork, pottery and other
industries. As a port on the river, merchants traded with
across the New World and ships sailed from Barnstaple in 1588
to join the fleet against the Spanish Armada. The name of
Barnstaple is thought to derive from old english Beardan Stapol.
Possibly - Beardan from a man called Bearda and Stapol meaning
trading post.
The
Pannier Market building opened on 2nd November 1855. Large
baskets called 'panniers' were used by farmers wifes and daughters
to carry their dairy produce and vegetables.
At the same time the market was constructed, 33 shops called
Butchers Row were built next to it. The shops face north to
keep the produce cool.
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