King John’s Charter glove raised at Axminster

Lord of the Manor performs the ancient ceremony to start the town’s eight day fair

Officials at Axminster's traditional glove raising ceremony (l to r) keeper of the glove John Tarling, Rector John Streeting, town crier Nick Goodwin, Mayor Jeremy Walden and Lord of the Manor Jim Rowe. Photo by Chris Carson - Credit: Archant

Eight days of traditional merrymaking were begun with the ancient raising of the glove ceremony at Axminster today (Thursday, June 26).

Axminster's royal charter - Credit: Archant

Crowds gather on the Minster Green to hear Lord of the Manor Jim Rowe read from the royal charter of 1215, granting the town an eight day fair.

He said that as it was the 799 years since the document was signed by King John, next year would be “a big issue” with plans for a major celebration to mark the 800th anniversary.

Securing the glove at the top of the church steps, Mr Rowe readthe traditional proclamation: “The Glove is up, the fair’s begun - let no man be arrested (or hung!) until the glove be down.”

Officials attending Thursday’s cermeony were Mayor Jeremy Walden, Town Crier Nick Goodwin, Rector Rev John Streeting and ‘keeper of the glove John Tarling.