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The central avenue of the meat market at Smithfields in London. This is the city's main wholesale meat market, open from the small hours of the morning until around 5 am. The name is thought to be a corruption of 'smooth field' and the place has been associated with animal markets for almost 1,000 years. In the 14th and 15th centuries it was also a popular site for public hangings, burnings and worse. The Scottish national hero William Wallace is one of many who met his fate here.