St Margaret’s Green used to be the site of Ipswich's Holy Rood Fair. Spanning six hundred years, the fair took place from the 13th Century to the 19th Century, on September 25 to 28 each year. Over time, its control passed from the priory next door, to the crown, to the Wythpoll family, and then to the Ipswich Corporation, but apparently changed little, being mainly used for the sale of cheese, butter, and, later, sausages and sweetmeats.