See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

The point at which Mill Street and Allhalland Street meet the High Street is reputed to be that of a medieval public open space, perhaps a market place where the town's pillory was located. Records exist from 1400 of a dwelling located at the corner of High Street and Mylstret (Mill Street), which was occupied by a merchant involved in the cloth trade.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MARKET PLACE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD (Between))

Full description

Torridge District Council, Bideford Conservation Area Partnership Scheme. Action Plan for 1996-1999, 12 (Un-published). SDV345901.

The point at which Mill Street and Allhalland Street meet the High Street is reputed to be that of a medieval public open space, perhaps a market place where the town's pillory was located. Records exist from 1400 of a dwelling located at the corner of High Street and Mylstret (Mill Street), which was occupied by a merchant involved in the cloth trade.

Torridge District Council, Bideford Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme. Implementation Programme 1999-2002, 3 (Un-published). SDV345902.

Timms, S. C., 1976, The Devon Urban Survey, 1976. First Draft, 92, 95 (Report - Survey). SDV341346.

By the start of the 18th century a market place had been set up on level ground to the south of High Street and directly accessible from Bideford Bridge up Bridge Street. In the early 18th century the customs house stood in its centre.
The pattern of a market square tends to confirm the theory of the removal of the market from High Street, but it may also be suggested that the High Street did not become the focus of trade before the proper construction of the quay. At present it can only be stated that there were, in the 18th- and 19th centuries, two separate trading areas, and the question of which represents the medieval market area must be left open.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.