A YEAR-LONG programme of events is being planned to help Banbury celebrate the 400th anniversary of its town charter.

The original charter document, signed by King James 1 on June 28, 1608, is on display in Banbury Museum and will stay there until December.

The charter meant that Banbury became a mayoral town and was able to govern itself by means of a council.

Amongst other things, the charter gave the town the right to have a jail, the power to punish drunkards, and the right to have a gallows and carry out hangings.

Current mayor Kieron Mallon will lead the celebrations until his term of office ends in May, when mayor-in-waiting Mr Ann Bonner will take over.

Mr Mallon said this week that James 1 was the intended target of Guy Fawkes in 1605, and in 1611 commissioned a new bible translation which is still known as the King James Bible.

Mr Mallon said: "King James also planted many mulberry trees to feed silkworms in a bid to establish an English silk industry.

"In Banbury recently we planted some mulberry trees in People's Park as a lasting commemoration of the 400th anniversary."

Banbury Town Council's website will soon have a dedicated community page listing all the non-commercial anniversary events organised throughout the year, and a diary of events is available from the town hall.

Banbury's history goes back to Anglo-Saxon times. An earlier charter from Queen Mary in 1554 had officially established Banbury as a town, but the King James charter devolved further power from the crown to the town, for the better government of the borough'.

The charter gave Banbury for the first time:

  • A mayor, with more power than the preceding role of bailiff.
  • A town clerk and a greater number of officials with enhanced responsibilities.
  • Authority to the Common Council' to make local by-laws and create taxes.
  • The right to have a jail. The mayor was also the keeper of the jail.
  • The power to punish all drunkards and others of immoderate behaviour.'
  • The right to have gallows to hang people.

Many aspects of the charter dealt with law and order, but it also granted a weekly wool market for the benefit of the poor, a weekly horse market, two new fairs, and the founding of a hospital for the poor.