Market Place, Boston, Lincolnshire
Boston developed as a settlement at the point where navigable tidal water, The Haven, came alongside land routes to; Spalding, Sleaford and the Salters' Way route into Kesteven. The River Witham seems to have joined The Haven after the flood of September 1014. It was one of the official "staple towns" of England, authorized to carry on the import and export trade. Trading fairs or "marts" have been held in Boston since at least the 12th Century - the earliest historic record of a fair or "mart" is in 1132. It ran from St. Botolph's Day (12th June) to 24th June. In 1218 a Patent was granted for Boston's Fair. The earliest maps of Boston date from that time and the "Market Place" is indicated on them in its current location. 2 weekly markets still (2014) take place.
