Medieval fair and pilgrimage honours Leicestershire's local saint

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Medieval fair and pilgrimage honours Leicestershire's local saintMorris dancers helped put on a showBookmarkShareCommentsWhat's OnBySamuel KalantzisReporter12:32, 2 JUN 2025BookmarkMorris


dancers put on a show for guests at the St Winstan's medieval fair in Wigston (Image: Oadby and Wigston Borough Council)


A medieval fair has taken place to honour Leicestershire's local saint, Saint Wistan. Also known as Saint Wigston, the event saw people enjoy old Saxon activities in the town bearing his


name.


This year's St Wistan's Day medieval fair saw different stalls and performances take place in Wigston's Bell Street on Saturday (May 31). Visitors gathered as re-enactments were put on by


Oadby and Wigston Borough Council.


According to the council, activities relating to Saxon times also took place including silversmithing, chain making and weaving. Guests were also treated to some live performances as Morris


dancers put on a show in the middle of the street for the event.


READ MORE: 'Cavalcade' of colourful historic boats set for Leicestershire canal festival


People also took part in a four-mile pilgrimage walk on the same day, which follows the path legends say St Wistan's body was taken after he was murdered. The path saw walkers start in


Wistow and finish in Wigston in time to enjoy the fair.


According to legend, St Wistan was in line to be the King of Mercia, one of the most powerful Saxon Kingdoms of England but gave up the right to follow a religious calling. He was later


killed by his uncle after he refused to allow him to marry his widowed mother and his body was carried on the same path the pilgrimage walk took place.


See images from the St Wistan's fair in our gallery below


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There were lots of crafts events at the fair in Wigston including a silver smith stall

(Image: Oadby and Wigston Borough Council)1 of 8ShareComments


Morris dancers put on a show for guests at the St Winstan's medieval fair in Wigston

(Image: Oadby and Wigston Borough Council)2 of 8ShareComments


Saxon weaving and wood sculpting were put on for guests at St Wistan's fair

(Image: Oadby and Wigston Borough Council)3 of 8ShareComments


People could be seen carrying out weaving like they did in Saxon times in England

(Image: Oadby and Wigston Borough Council)4 of 8ShareComments


Guests enjoying some food from the fair whilst Morris dancing took place

(Image: Oadby and Wigston Borough Council)5 of 8ShareComments


Many people gathered to take part in the St Wistan pilgrimage walk on Saturday morning (May 31)

(Image: Oadby and Wigston Borough Council)6 of 8ShareComments


The pilgrimage walk started in Wistow and ended in Wigston in time for St Wistan's fair

(Image: Oadby and Wigston Borough Council)7 of 8ShareComments


The four mile long pilgrimage walk is in recognition of the same path St Wistan's body was taken on


(Image: Oadby and Wigston Borough Council)8 of 8ShareCommentsMore OnWigstonOadby and Wigston Borough CouncilEventsThings to do in Leicestershire