Medieval Market Town

1200

By the early thirteenth century, Havant had established itself as a market town, with a regular market held at the crossroads of the four principal streets. The market served the agricultural hinterland, providing a place for the exchange of grain, livestock, wool and everyday goods. The cross-shaped street plan, with East, West, North and South Streets meeting at a central junction, is characteristic of planned medieval market towns and remains the basis of Havant's town centre layout today. The market brought trade and prosperity to the town and distinguished it from the purely agricultural settlements of the surrounding area. St Faith's Church served the growing community and was enlarged during the medieval period.