The Guild Hall

Traditionally the seat of government for the town of Beverley, part of the building dates back to the 14^th century, the timber walls having survived from the wealthy merchant’s house that originally stood on the site.  It is now a community museum for the town.

History

In 1128 the Archbishop of York, who was also the Lord of the Manor of Beverley, gave the town its first Charter.  Amongst other privileges, it gave the Burgesses of Beverley the right to have their own Guild hall or Hanshus.

It is not known where the first Guild Hall was sited, but by 1386 the Guild had prospered and was meeting in a building in Walkergate.  Some time later, in 1437 a local draper was persuaded to convert four shops in Saturday Market Place, into a hall and two chambers.  It is believed that these premises are where the jewelers and newsagents shops stand today.  The 12 elected keepers (or Governors) used this building until 1501 and paid an annual rent of 20 shillings.

The opportunity arose for the Governors to acquire their own property in 1501.  This was in Cross Garths (later known as Register Square).  A house on the site of the present Guild Hall was purchased from Edward Mynskyp for £73.6.8d plus one of the town’s pastures, called Tunge, situated near to the Beck.

The deeds for this house are held by the council and go back to 1320 when it was originally built.

The southern part of the house was used as a Sessions House and House of Correction until 1611.  A Charity School was located in the house in the early 18^th century.  In the later part of the 18^th century it became the borough Police Station and Prison.  The Police Station moved to the Sessions House in New Walk during the 1990’s. 

THE BUILDING

The Portico

The large Doric portico was added in 1832 by Charles Mountain the Younger.  The 15^th century stone arched entrance was sold by the corporation and can be seen in the grounds of the Friary near the Minster.

The Courtroom

In 1730 the Guild Hall was repaired because of its poor state, but by 1756 damp was such a problem that the walls had to be lined with matting to keep out the damp.

A new council chamber, designed by William Middleton was built in 1762 and cost just over £373. the South wall of the chamber was built with round-headed windows, and blind arches were set in the North wall. 

On completion, the Governors decided that the Courtroom should be decorated, and engaged Guiseppe Cortese who was originally from the Italian speaking region of Switzerland and had settled in Yorkshire in the 1730s.  He was commissioned to complete the central figure of Justice (which is NOT blindfolded), the Town’s Arms (on the East wall) and the King’s Arms (on the West wall) for the sum of 40 guineas.  Subsequently the Corporation agreed to “Two large Additional Ornamental Panels” for a further £5, but in addition Cortese took it upon himself to supplement the decoration with “Superfluous Work done the Cove”, for which he should have been paid the requested sum of 5 guineas.

1827 a public gallery was created by removing the east wall and two classical columns brought from the Minster.

Repair work in 1981 revealed a 15^th century timber framed wall. This can be seen at the back of the public gallery and also in the kitchen upstairs.

The Town Badge

This depicts a beaver above blue and white lines, representing the Beaver’s natural habitat and referring to the origin of town’s name, Beverlac or “Beaver Lake”.

King’s Coat of Arms

This is of King George III who was on the throne in 1762.  The design shows three Lions of England and the red Lion of Scotland, three Fleur de Lys of France in the top right quarter and the Harp of Ireland in the lower left hand quarter.  The coat of arms for the House of Hanover is in the lower right hand quarter of the arms.  Around the coat of arms and on the buckle at the bottom are the words “Honi soit qui mal y pense” which is the motto of the Order of the Garter.

The Chairs

In the Chippendale style, they were commissioned by the Governors in 1764.  In This new courtroom was used for both Magistrates’ and County Courts until 1991 when the court moved to the Sessions House in New Walk.

The Magistrates’ Room

Built at the same time as the Courtroom, this was originally the Council Chamber.  The old furniture is made of oak and was part of the original council furniture dating back to 1604.  The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Clerk of the Chamber would occupy the three seated bench ( a “Bink”), situated under the windows.  The large table is thought to have been used to keep all the rents and monies received by the Governors.  The other benches were for other Governors.  The pewter displayed in the wall cabinets is part of a dinner service made in London about 1725 and was used whenever the Mayor entertained.  It was traditional for the Mayor to give a dinner for the other Governors twice a year.  The Governors were also expected to entertain the Archbishop and High Court Judges whenever they visited Beverley.

The Mayor’s Parlour

Built around 1832, when many other alterations were being undertaken by Charles Mountain the Younger. It was used as a Council Chamber until 1896 when the Court Room was adapted in order that the public could attend Council meetings.  This room houses a small collection of paintings by the Beverley born artists, Fred and Mary Dawson Elwell.

 A collection of gifts and silverware is on display, including three silver gilt Waites Chains.  The Beverley Waites were members of the Guild of Minstrels who wore the original chains on special occasions.  Two of the chains date from 1424, and are amongst the oldest surviving Waites’ chains in the country. 

The Stairway

On the wall facing the Parlour is a board containing the names of the Mayors of Beverley from 1573 (when Beverley was given Borough status), to the present day.  On the other wall is a painting by Fred Elwell.

Just outside the Parlour is the former Beverley Borough Coat of Arms which was approved in 1974 by the College of Arms.  This incorporates the Beverley Town Badge, and the Coat of Arms of Haltemprice Urban District Council and Beverley Rural District Council.

The Guild Hall is open on Fridays, between 10.00am and 4.00pm, admission is free.  Temporary exhibitions on local history and a computer archive of historic photos of Beverley are also free to visitors. The building is now owned by the East Riding of Yorkshire County Council.