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Markets & Fairs

In addition to the IMC 2026 Bookfair and our events programme, a variety of smaller fairs and markets with more independent stores take place throughout the Congress where attendees and members of the public can meet independent traders, craftspeople, local historians and enthusiasts and find out about their important work locally, nationally, and globally.

The IMC Souvenir stand will be open throughout the times listed below for delegates who have pre-ordered souvenir items to collect their orders. Delegates may also browse the stall for a memento of their time in Leeds!

Second-Hand and Antiquarian Bookfair

Leeds University Union Building: Foyer
Sunday 05 July: 16.00-21.00, Monday 06 July: 08.00-19.00  & Tuesday 07 July, 08.00-17.00

Our exhibitions and fairs programme includes specialist booksellers, where independent stores showcase second-hand, rare, and scholarly books. The Second-Hand and Antiquarian Bookfair is also open to members of the public.

Confirmed booksellers:

  • Donald Munro - Antiquarian & second-hand books & pamphlets on British and European History, Archaeology & Settlement, Architecture, (esp. Vernacular), Ecclesiology. Scotland, Celtic Studies & MSS studies particular interests.
  • Matthew Butler Books - Matthew Butler Books sell books on medieval history, particularly archaeology and architectural history. At IMC 2026 we shall be selling books from the Libraries of Ralph Griffiths, Emeritus Professor of Medieval History at The University of Wales, Swansea, and the late Dr John Kenyon, fortifications historian and archaeologist.
  • Northern Herald Books - Scholarly books on medieval studies, early modern history and general economic and social history.
  • Paul Hughes Rare Books - County Durham bookseller, established 1996. Large stock of academic books including Roman and Medieval History, Early English Texts, Bibliography, and Palaeography.
  • Salsus Books - Salsus Books has been established over 30 years. It offers academic books in all areas of medieval history including archaeology, liturgy, anglo-saxon, celtic, viking, byzantine, political, and social history, numismatics, and philosophy.
  • Unsworth’s Antiquarian Booksellers - Buy and sell collectable, rare, and scholarly books from every century of printing and on all the Humanities, with an antiquarian focus on Early Printing, Classical Antiquity, the Middle Ages & Renaissance.
  • Further exhibitors to be confirmed

Medieval Craft Fair

University Square & Leeds University Union Building: Foyer
Wednesday 08 July: 10.30-19.00 & Thursday 09 July: 10.30-18.00.

The craft fair showcases handmade items using and inspired by medieval craft techniques. Come and see the range of unique items on offer! The craft fair is an outdoor market, on University Square and the precinct outside Leeds University Union and the Refectory. The Medieval Craft Fair is also open to members of the public.

Confirmed Craft Fair Traders:

  • Anachronalia - Craft bookbinding, historically inspired stationery, bookbinding supplies, and role-playing games.
  • Brooklyn and Marie, Medievalist Artworks and Prints - Brooklyn and Marie are both artists and PhD students working with Old Norse Literature, who combine their academic interests and their artistic skills in creative practice-as-research approaches using lino-cuts, watercolours, scrapping boards, and more. Their art, blending contemporary mediums and medieval motifs, is an invitation to see the world in an open way, and notice its enchantment, by embracing the reality of human imagination.
  • Carved Strings, Games, and Dice - Whether you play medieval board games or musical instruments, Carved Strings has many items to delight. In addition to genuine bone dice, you will find a variety of handcrafted medieval games. Carved Strings is the trading name of historic harp maker Alice Margerum, so it is likely that she will bring a medieval-style harp or two as well.
  • C. R. Breeze Illustration - C. R. Breeze is an illustrator and printmaker from York with an interest in medieval illuminated manuscripts and strange beasties of all sorts and sources.
  • D-Art Francisca - One of the kind costume jewellery, inspired by the medieval manuscript marginalia.
  • FiftyEleven - Historically inspired woodwork and pyrography with Marginalia decoration.
  • Foolish Magpie - Foolish Magpie is an artist duo creating works inspired by history and mythology, highlighting perspectives that history may have left in the margins. They produce risograph prints so you can bring a little bit of history to your walls without needing a castle to hang it in.
  • Gemmeus Historical Jewellery - Handcrafted Historical and Classical Jewellery created in precious metals gemstones and pearls. The collections range from Roman onwards.
  • Hare and Tabor - T shirts and other products celebrating history and folklore. All items have a rich history associated with them which I try and pass on through my background notes, or in person.
  • Opus Anglicanum Embroidery - Medieval embroidery kits, books, and related items.
  • Pretender to the Throne - Historically inspired hand made ceramic tiles, decorations and brooches. Limited edition lino prints, greetings cards, and textiles.
  • Ragnar's Market - Welcome to Ragnars Market - for amazing, authentic Viking style jewellery – all handmade in the UK. We have a huge range of Bronze and Silver handmade Viking inspired pendants and brooches, as well as clasps and handmade twisted bracelets. All of our jewellery has been designed to reflect Norse and Viking gods, influenced entirely by Viking cultures and styles.
  • Talking Point Woodwork - Maker of wooden items inspired by historical finds and designs. Commissions under taken, and always ready to discuss your ideas.
  • Tillerman Beads - Recreations of Historical beads
  • Trinity Court Pottery - Pots of history, replica ceramics through the ages
  • Viking Agenda - Vikings inspired stationery, jewellery and chainmail
  • Further exhibitors to be confirmed

Historical and Archaeological Societies Fair

Leeds University Union Building: Foyer
Thursday 09 July: 10.30-18.00.

An opportunity to meet with independent groups who are dedicated to preserving local and national historical and archaeological heritage. Also open to members of the public.

Confirmed Historical & Archaeological Society Exhibitors:

  • Monumental Brass Society -The Society promotes the study off brasses, indents of last brasses incised slabs by publication in its Transactions of original research, lectures, one-day meetings and excursions to churches of interest. Preserve brasses by assisting with grant funding conservation and providing advice on their care. Recording lost and stolen brasses and those in private hands. Give advice and promote good practice concerning brass-rubbing.
  • The Scottish Society for Northern Studies - explores the historical interrelationships between the Scandinavian, Celtic, and Scottish worlds through public events and scholarly research.
  • South Leeds Archaeology - South Leeds Archaeology (SLA) is a volunteer-run, community archaeology group, open to everyone. We offer opportunities to get involved with all aspects of fieldwork, as well as monthly meetings and guest talks on a variety of subjects.
  • The Battlefields Trust - The Battlefields Trust is a volunteer-run, registered charity dedicated to the protection, promotion, and interpretation of Britain's battlefields.
  • The Church Monuments Society - The Church Monuments Society is for everyone who is fascinated by tomb carvings, from medieval effigies to modern gravestones. We organise excursions and study days, publish a journal and a newsletter, and advise on conservation and interpretation of monuments.
  • The Thoresby Society, The Leeds and District Historical Society - The Thoresby Society has been collecting the history of Leeds since 1889 and publishing since 1891. We have a very large archive and library available for study and research in the Leeds Library on Commercial Street, Leeds. Please contact the Hon Librarian on [email protected] for research and study opportunities.
  • Towton Battlefield Society - The Society has three main objectives - the preservation, protection and promotion of Towton Battlefield.
  • West Yorkshire Archive Service, Leeds - The West Yorkshire Archive Service exists to preserve the past, serve the present and protect the future. We do this by collecting and looking after the unique documentary heritage of the region. Our Leeds office holds records dating from the 12th century to the present day.
  • Yorkshire Archaeological & Historical Society - The Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society exists to promote the study of Yorkshire’s past and publishes the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal annually, as well as a Record Series and occasional monographs. The Society encourages interest in Yorkshire's past and promotes the study of its history via its archives, by giving small grants and through events, lectures, and excursions.