Victoria and Albert Museum
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Festivals, Ceremonies & Customs: Sir Benjamin Stone & the National Photographic Record Association
Sir Benjamin Stone, 'The Customs of Corby Pole Fair. Barrier against all Strangers at the entrance to the Village. May 1902'. Museum no. E.4555-2000
Sir Benjamin Stone, 'The Customs of Corby Pole Fair. Barrier against all Strangers at the entrance to the Village. May 1902'. Museum no. E.4555-2000
Sir Benjamin Stone
'The Customs of Corby Pole Fair. Barrier against all Strangers at the entrance to the Village. May 1902'
Corby, Northamptonshire, England
1902
Platinum print
Museum no. E.4555-2000
This fair, held in commemoration of a charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1585, still takes place every twenty years. The road is barred and tolls exacted from passers-by. Anyone found not to have paid the toll is carried through the fair on a pole and then placed in stocks.
