ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Bartholomew Fair

Bartholomew Fair was a big party that used to happen in England a long time ago, where lots of people would come together to have fun and do all sorts of amusing things. It was kind of like a big carnival or a festival, with lots of games and shows and food to eat.

The fair started way back in the year 1133, and it took place in a special field called Smithfield, which was on the edge of London. People would come from all over the city to go to the fair, and they would spend days there, watching plays and performances, playing games, and eating all sorts of yummy treats.

There were lots of different things to do at the fair. You could see puppet shows or listen to musicians playing instruments like the harp or the lute. There were also lots of fun games to play, like trying to hit targets with a bow and arrow or tossing rings onto pegs.

One of the most popular things to do at Bartholomew Fair was to eat all the different kinds of food! There were roasted meats, sweet cakes and pies, and even a special kind of gingerbread that people loved. And if you got thirsty, you could try some of the sweet and fruity drinks that were sold there.

Bartholomew Fair was a really big deal back in the olden days, and lots of people went every year to have a great time. But eventually, things changed, and the fair stopped happening in the 19th century. But people can still remember how much fun it was to go to Bartholomew Fair, and it's become a part of history and culture in England.
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