DEVIZES Market Place was very much in the news in 2019 as the thorny issue of to park or not to park in the historic setting went on and on.

Town clerk Simon Fisher admitted that as the year came to an end he was still waiting to hear from Wiltshire Council over the latest twist in the plan which would see it split into three sections. One for parking, one for community use and a third which could be either depending on demand.

But controversy is nothing new for Devizes which was first given the right to hold a market in 1141.

The town had sided with Matilda in the Civil War between her and Stephen for the right to wear the English crown after the death of Henry 1. Devizes with its imposing castle was seen by Matilda as an important base and in 1141 she granted it the right to hold a market.

It is thought the site of the original market was near the Castle Hotel in Monday Market Street.

A market has been held continuously in the town since the 14th century and for the past 300 years market day has been a Thursday.

The Shambles indoor market was originally the site of the medieval butchers’ market. The building which survives until today was designed in 1835 by Pollard of Frome.

The Market Cross and the Estcourt Fountain are both linked to former members of parliament. The Market Cross was designed by Benjamin Wyatt and was paid for by Lord Sidmouth who was MP for the borough from 1784 to 1805. The cross was built in 1814.

It is particularly famous for its plaque which bears a chilling account of the sudden end of Ruth Pierce of Potterne in 1753 who pleaded innocence to theft and called on God to strike her dead if she were telling a lie. The stolen money was found in her dead hand.

The Escourt Fountain s a memorial to T. H. Southeron Estcourt who was Member of Parliament for Devizes from 1835 until 1844 .

The fountain was funded by public subscriptions in 1879.