Beauchamp coat of arms

In 1251 William de Beauchamp, overlord of the Manor of Linslade, received the grant of a weekly market, to be held on a Thursday. He was also granted an annual fair, to be held on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the 8th September) and the six days following.

It seems likely that this market and fair would have been held in what is now Old Linslade, as the modern town did not exist at that date. It is just possible that the market and fair was held in the hamlet of Southcott but the wording of the grant makes this unlikely. At that date there is no reason to believe that Old Linslade was anything but a reasonably thriving large village or small town. This was, perhaps, helped by the claim of a holy well there.

It is not known when the market and fair ceased, although it seems as if Old Linslade was largely depopulated by the second half of the 14th century.