Smithfield Market: A Millennia of London’s Meat Trade Nears Its End
Smithfield Market, an ancient London institution, faces closure by 2028 after over a millennium of operation, with a new site in the Royal Docks under consideration. Originating as a “Smooth Field” outside medieval city walls, its open space, grazing, and water sources made it an ideal location for trading livestock. William Fitzstephen’s 1174 account confirms its established role in selling horses and cattle, suggesting its roots could predate King Alfred’s 886 re-establishment of London. The market’s strategic northwest location, accessible by drovers from the north, solidified its importance as London’s primary meat distributor.
By 1327, Edward III granted Smithfield an official charter, legitimizing its operation and toll collection. The area became a vibrant, albeit turbulent, hub in the 14th century, witnessing events like William Wallace’s execution, the Peasants’ Revolt, grand tournaments, and the founding of St Bartholomew’s Hospital and Charterhouse. Its enduring association with the meat trade is reflected in local street names like Cowcross Street.
For much of its history, Smithfield was a chaotic live animal market, notorious for its unsanitary conditions. Paved in 1614, it remained a “shameful place, being all asmear with filth and fat and blood and foam,” as described by Dickens. The grim reality included animals suffering in poorly hygienic slaughterhouses, often pitched into cellars. This led to a significant transformation in 1852 when the live market moved to Islington, replaced by the wholesale meat, poultry, and offal market housed in Horace Jones’s iconic Grade II-listed buildings. While the trade will depart, these historic structures are slated for preservation. The closure marks the end of a tradition deeply embedded in London’s history, predating many of its most famous landmarks.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/smithfield-how-it-all-began)
