by mentions a sixth fair as well, viz., Low Fair, which was also a market for cattle. In the year 1563 it was ordered that two Leather Fairs should be held "the morrow after Michaelmas Day and the morrow after May Day, and that proclamation thereof be made and the fair to be kept betwixt Saint John's Cross and the North Gate." St. John's Cross has been indentified with the Senvey Cross, but Kelly was evidently right in distinguishing them. It may be supposed that St. John's Cross stood near St. John's Hospital, the Leather Fair being held in that part of the High Street which lay between the Hospital and the North Gate.
In the course of the 18th Century, additional fairs for cattle and sheep were established in Leicester, on January 4th, June 1st, August 1st, September 13th, and November 2nd. The cattle stood in Millstone Lane, and the sheep in the Sheepmarket.
II. MARKETS.
THE WEDNESDAY MARKET.
From a very early time the country people who lived near Leicester were accustomed to bring their produce for sale in the High Street of the Borough; and, as the centre of the ancient walled town was the junction of its four main streets which led to the four gates, the sellers naturally gravitated to that spot. A cross was standing there in the 13th century. It was repaired in 1278, and in 1306. In 1314 it was rebuilt, and the "Keeper of the High Cross" had stones brought from Waverton, to replace the old stones, which were taken away. The new cross was oiled and painted, and was surmounted by a weather cock. Figures of knights were brought from the old Mayor's Hall, and placed on the Cross with the aid of a windlass. At the beginning of the 14th century a weekly market was in vogue every Wednesday about this High Cross. In the reign of Henry VIII, bread was also sold there on Fridays, and the country people would bring in their eggs and butter on that day as well as on Wednesday.
A new and much more spacious erection was put up in the time of Queen Elizabeth, to serve both as a Cross and as a shelter for the market women. A representation of this 16th century cross, which cost nearly £100, is given by Throsby. It
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