City event makes return

Jun 20 2008 Chester Chronicle

A UNIQUE event in the life and history of Chester is due to take place in the city this weekend.

Every year from 1200AD to 1756, the Cheshire Minstrels came to St John’s Church, the original Cathedral of Chester, for the Midsummer fair to renew their licences to ply their trade.

This year it is being revived and the Minstrels will hold their court in the ancient church, the oldest in Chester, tomorrow (Saturday) from 11am-4pm, with the fair starting at 2pm.

All musicians, actors, jugglers and so on who wished to perform within the county of Cheshire had to attend the church to be blessed and obtain a licence from the Earl of Chester without which they faced arrest if caught performing.

It is said that about 1200, Earl Ranulf of Chester was at Rhuddlan in North Wales, besieged in his motte and bailey castle by the Welsh. He sent a messenger to the Constable of Chester Castle to request help, but there were few soldiers in the city.

It was the time of the Midsummer fair of St John and the city was full of musicians, actors and other rogues who were rounded up and sent to help the Earl. As they approached Rhuddlan, they made such a terrible din it scared the Welsh away and ended the siege.

In gratitude, the Earl granted them his protection which could be renewed each Midsummer. The entertainers would process through the streets, which is the origin of the Midsummer Watch parade, and head for St John’s Church.

This year’s event offers performances of medieval music on a range of period instruments, medieval Cestrians including pilgrims and soldiers, storytelling, medieval games, dancing and mummers plays all within the historic church.

The event begins at 11am and continues until 4pm; at 2pm the St John’s Church summer fair begins just outside, accompanied by street theatre from the Chester Mystery Plays and music from the King’s School Big Band.

In keeping with the tradition of local musicians playing together and sharing tunes, any musicians wanting to attend with a traditional instrument are welcome to play a short piece or join in with others.

Admission is free to the event, though donations to the upkeep of St John’s Church are much appreciated.

The event is being supported by Cheshire Museums Service and the Grosvenor Museum, Chester and volunteers.