Totnes Guildhall
Totnes Guildhall is a Grade I listed 16th-century Tudor historic guildhall, magistrate's court, and prison, in the town of Totnes, south Devon, in southwest England.[1]
History
In 1206, Totnes was granted a charter by King John.[2] Thus it became a free town, able to make its own laws. The merchants of the town also obtained permission to establish a guild. The original guildhall at Totnes was located in the High Street.
In 1553, King Edward VI granted Totnes a charter allowing a former Benedictine priory building that had been founded in 1088 to be used as a Guildhall and school. The Guildhall was previously used as the monks' refectory.[3] In 1624, the Guildhall was converted to be a magistrate's court. Soldiers were billeted here during the English Civil War. Until 1887, it was also used as the town gaol with the addition of prison cells.[4] It remained a magistrate's court until 1974.
During the history of the Guildhall, over 600 town mayors have been commemorated for their service in the lower hall.[5]
Today
Nowadays the building is used by Totnes Town Council for meetings and other ceremonial events. It is also open to the public during weekdays.[6] In the Council Chamber there are large oak tables used by Oliver Cromwell and the general and parliamentary commander-in-chief Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron for discussions in 1646.[7]
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Devon
- List of museums in Devon
- Totnes Castle
- Totnes Elizabethan House Museum
References
- ↑ The Guildhall, Ramparts Walk (behind St Mary's Church), Totnes Town Council, UK.
- ↑ Totnes Guildhall, AboutBritain.com.
- ↑ Totnes Guildhall, Dartington Village, UK.
- ↑ Totnes Guildhall, Visit Britain, UK.
- ↑ Totnes Guildhall, iTraveluk.co.uk, UK.
- ↑ Totnes Guildhall, Devon County Council, UK.
- ↑ Totnes Guildhall, Whatsonwhen.
Coordinates: 50°25′56″N 3°41′16″W / 50.4321°N 3.6879°W