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Coordinates: 53°57′28″N 1°04′44″W / 53.9579°N 1.0788°W / 53.9579; -1.0788
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{{Short description|Grade I listed building in York, England}}
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{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
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| caption = Medieval timber frame of the great hall interior
| caption = Medieval timber frame of the great hall interior
| building_type = Medieval Guildhall
| building_type = Medieval Guildhall
| architectural_style =
| architectural_style =
| structural_system =
| material =
| cost =
| ren_cost =
| client =
| owner = The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York
| owner = The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York
| current_tenants =
| current_tenants =
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| opened_date =
| opened_date =
| inauguration_date =
| inauguration_date =
| relocated_date =
| renovation_date =
| floor_count =
| grounds_area =
| architect =
| awards =
| designations =
| ren_architect =
| ren_firm =
| ren_str_engineer =
| ren_serv_engineer =
| ren_civ_engineer =
| ren_oth_designers =
| ren_qty_surveyor =
| ren_awards =
| rooms =
| website = {{URL|www.theyorkcompany.co.uk/}}
| website = {{URL|www.theyorkcompany.co.uk/}}
|embedded={{infobox designation list
|embedded={{infobox designation list
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| designation1_offname = Merchant Adventurers Hall
| designation1_offname = Merchant Adventurers Hall
| designation1_date = 14 June 1954<ref name="HE1257828">{{NHLE|num=1257828 |desc=Merchant Adventurers Hall|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
| designation1_date = 14 June 1954<ref name="HE1257828">{{NHLE|num=1257828 |desc=Merchant Adventurers Hall|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
| designation1_number = [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1257828 1257828]
| designation1_number = {{NHLE|num=1257828|short=yes}}
| designation2 = Grade II*
| designation2 = Grade II*
| designation2_offname = Gatehouse to Merchant Adventures Hall
| designation2_offname = Gatehouse to Merchant Adventurers Hall
| designation2_date = 14 June 1954<ref name="HE1257822">{{NHLE|num=1257822 |desc= Gatehouse to Merchant Adventurers Hall|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
| designation2_date = 14 June 1954<ref name="HE1257822">{{NHLE|num=1257822 |desc= Gatehouse to Merchant Adventurers Hall|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
| designation2_number = {{NHLE|num=1257822|short=yes}}
| designation2_number = {{NHLE|num=1257822|short=yes}}
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}}
}}


The '''Merchant Adventurers' Hall''' is a medieval [[guild]]hall in the city of [[York]], [[England]]. It is a Grade I [[listed building]]<ref name="HE1257828"/> and scheduled ancient monument.<ref name="HE1257828"/>


==History==
The '''Merchant Adventurers' Hall''' is a medieval [[guild]]hall in the city of [[York]], [[England]], and was one of the most important buildings in the medieval city. The majority of the Hall was built in 1357 by a group of influential men and women who came together to form a religious fraternity called the Guild of Our Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1430 the fraternity was granted a royal charter by King [[Henry VI of England|Henry VI]] and renamed 'The Mistry of Mercers'. It was granted the status of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of York by Queen [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]] in the sixteenth century. The main part of the building consists of the Great Hall and the [[undercroft]], which was originally a hospital or almshouse for poor people of York.
⚫
[[File:Merchant Adventurers' Hall.jpg|thumb|left|The medieval Merchant Adventurers' Hall seen from [[Piccadilly (York)|Piccadilly]]. On the right is the brick chapel; on the left the timber-frame construction of the upper storey can be seen.]]
The majority of the Hall was built in 1357 by a group of influential men and women who came together to form a religious fraternity called the Guild of Our Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1371, a hospital was established in the undercroft for the poor people of York<ref name=yp>{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9333804.historic-hall-dates-handshake-1356/|title=The York Merchant Adventurers And Their Hall, edited by Pamela Hartshorne|date=29 October 2011|publisher=York Press|accessdate=22 August 2020}}</ref> and, in 1430, the fraternity was granted a royal charter by [[Henry VI of England|King Henry VI]] and renamed 'The Mistry of Mercers'.<ref name=yp/> It was granted the status of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York by [[Elizabeth I|Queen Elizabeth I]] in 1581. The principal parts of the building are the Great Hall, the chapel and the [[undercroft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merchantshallyork.org/going-underground-the-history-of-the-undercroft/|title=Hall Highlights: Going underground…the history of the Undercroft|date=28 May 2019|publisher=Merchant Adventurers' Hall|accessdate=26 August 2019}}</ref>


The Great Hall is a [[Timber framing|timber-framed]] structure and was built over a five-year period. It is the largest timber-framed building in the UK still standing and used for its original purpose. The roof of the hall is of two spans supported by a row of large central timber posts. It includes complex [[crown post]]s and is held together by wooden pegs.
The Great Hall is a [[Timber framing|timber-framed]] structure and was built over a five-year period. It is the largest timber-framed building in the UK still standing and used for its original purpose. The roof of the hall is of two spans supported by a row of large central timber posts. It includes complex [[crown post]]s and is held together by wooden pegs. The undercroft, like the Great Hall, is divided in two by its supporting row of timber posts. The undercroft also provides access to an attached chapel built for the use of the ill and poor in the hospital as well as the members of the Merchant Adventurers' Guild. It is still used for worship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merchantshallyork.org/|title=Welcome|publisher=Merchant Adventurers' Hall|accessdate=26 August 2019}}</ref>
The undercroft, like the Great Hall, is divided in two by its supporting row of timber posts. The undercroft also provides access to an attached chapel built for the use of the ill and poor in the hospital as well as the members of the Merchant Adventurers' Guild. It is still used for worship.


⚫
The Hall belongs to and is still regularly used by The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York, who, although no longer dedicated to mercantile activities are prominent in York and still exist as a charitable membership group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=235256&subid=0|title=Trust Property Administered In Connection With The Company Of The Merchant Adventurers Of The City Of York|publisher=Companies House|accessdate=22 August 2020}}</ref> The company has an extensive set of records, with documents dating from the 13th century and accounts dating back to 1432.<ref name=smith>{{cite book|title=A Guide of the Archives to the Company of Merchant Adventurers of York |first=David M.|last= Smith|publisher= Borthwick Institute Publications |year=1990|isbn=978-0903857567}}</ref> The [[Borthwick Institute for Archives]] at the [[University of York]] holds photocopies of many of the medieval deeds, account rolls, rentals, and of Guild minutes for the period 1677–1985.<ref name=smith/> From 1918, the Company appointed [[Maud Sellers]] as an honorary archivist of its historical material - Sellers was a historian with an interest in the site and was involved in its restoration and study from 1895.<ref name='HS'>{{cite web|url=https://www.herstoryyork.org.uk/maud-sellers-guild-member/ |title=Maud Sellers, Guild Member |publisher=HerStory.York |accessdate=28 March 2022}}</ref>
⚫
[[File:Merchant Adventurers' Hall.jpg|thumb|left|The medieval Merchant Adventurers' Hall seen from Piccadilly. On the right is the brick chapel; on the left the timber-frame construction of the upper storey can be seen.]]


Works of art in the hall include a painting by [[Jan Griffier]] entitled "Dutch snow scene with skaters",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/dutch-snow-scene-with-skaters-10363/search/venue:merchant-adventurers-hall-3383/page/1/view_as/grid|title=Dutch Snow Scene with Skaters|first=Jan|last=Griffier|publisher=Art.uk|accessdate=22 August 2020}}</ref> a painting by [[Joseph Farington]] depicting the [[Bridges of York|Old Ouse Bridge]] at York<ref>{{cite web|url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/old-ouse-bridge-york-10361/search/venue:merchant-adventurers-hall-3383/page/1/view_as/grid|title=Old Ouse Bridge at York|first=Joseph|last=Farrington|publisher=Art UK|accessdate=22 August 2020}}</ref> and a portrait by [[William Etty]] of his brother, John Etty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/john-etty-10358/search/venue:merchant-adventurers-hall-3383/page/2/view_as/grid|title=John Etty|first=William|last=Etty|publisher=Art UK|accessdate=22 August 2020}}</ref>
There are [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] additions including large windows and lecterns in the hall and chapel.


⚫
It is a short walk from this hall to the [[Merchant Taylors' Hall, York|Merchant Taylors' Hall]] in York, another medieval guildhall but in less original condition.<ref name="HE1259571">{{NHLE|num=1259571 |desc=Merchant Taylors' Hall|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
⚫
The Hall belongs to and is still regularly used by The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York, who, although no longer dedicated to mercantile activities are prominent in York and still exist as a charitable membership group. They have an extensive set of records, with documents dating from the 13th century and accounts dating back to 1432. The pre-1960 archive is described in ''A Guide to the Archives of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of York'' by David M. Smith, (Borthwick Texts, York, 1990) and a listing is available on the Access to Archives website. The [[Borthwick Institute for Archives]] at the [[University of York]] holds photocopies of many medieval deeds, account rolls, rentals, and of Guild minutes for the period 1677–1985.


==Gallery==
The Hall is open as a museum and can also be hired for parties, dinners and special occasions. It is also licensed for weddings and holds wedding receptions throughout the year.
<gallery>

File:The Merchant Adventurers Hall The Great Hall.jpg|The Great Hall
⚫
It is a short walk from this hall to the [[Merchant Taylors' Hall, York|Merchant Taylors' Hall]] in York, another medieval guildhall but in less original condition.
File:The Merchant Adventurers Hall Governors Parlour Room.jpg|The Governors Parlour Room
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Merchant Adventurers of York at Mystery Plays 2010.jpg|thumb|right|Officers of the Adventurers observing a Mystery Play in York, 2010]] -->
File:The Merchant Adventurers Hall The Undercroft.jpg|The Undercroft
The guild still exists. There are about 300 members, most are men but women can also become members. Membership is hereditary or mostly by invitation, and includes influential York families, business people, and senior public sector staff.
File:The Merchant Adventurers Hall Chapel.jpg|The Chapel
File:The Merchant Adventurers Hall.jpg|Exterior
File:Merchant_Adventurers_Hall,_Fossgate_entrance_-_geograph.org.uk_-_854734.jpg|The Gatehouse
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==

* [[Guild]]
* [[Guild]]
* [[Guildhall]]
* [[Guildhall]]
* [[Guildhall Museum (disambiguation)|Guildhall Museum]]
* [[Hanseatic League]]
* [[Marketplace]]
* [[Merchant]]
* [[Retail]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | last = Pevsner | first = Nikolaus | authorlink = Nikolaus Pevsner | last2 = Neave | first2 = David | title = Yorkshire: York and the East Riding | origyear = 1972 | edition = 2nd | year = 1995 | publisher = Penguin Books | location = London | isbn = 0-14-071061-2 }}
* {{cite book | last = Pevsner | first = Nikolaus | authorlink = Nikolaus Pevsner | last2 = Neave | first2 = David | title = Yorkshire: York and the East Riding | origyear = 1972 | edition = 2nd | year = 1995 | publisher = Penguin Books | location = London | isbn = 0-14-071061-2 }}


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{{coord|53.9579|-1.0788|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
{{coord|53.9579|-1.0788|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}


⚫
[[Category:Fossgate]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in York]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in York]]
[[Category:Grade I listed livery halls]]
[[Category:Grade I listed livery halls]]
[[Category:Guildhalls in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Guildhalls in the United Kingdom]]
⚫
[[Category:Museums in York]]
[[Category:History museums in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:History museums in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Museums in York]]
[[Category:Timber framed buildings in Yorkshire]]

Latest revision as of 15:17, 5 July 2024

Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Medieval timber frame of the great hall interior
Merchant Adventurers' Hall is located in North Yorkshire
Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Location within North Yorkshire
General information
TypeMedieval Guildhall
LocationYork, England
Coordinates53°57′28″N 1°04′44″W / 53.9579°N 1.0788°W / 53.9579; -1.0788
Construction started1357
OwnerThe Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York
Website
www.theyorkcompany.co.uk
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameMerchant Adventurers Hall
Designated14 June 1954[1]
Reference no.1257828
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameGatehouse to Merchant Adventurers Hall
Designated14 June 1954[2]
Reference no.1257822

The Merchant Adventurers' Hall is a medieval guildhall in the city of York, England. It is a Grade I listed building[1] and scheduled ancient monument.[1]

History

[edit]
The medieval Merchant Adventurers' Hall seen from Piccadilly. On the right is the brick chapel; on the left the timber-frame construction of the upper storey can be seen.

The majority of the Hall was built in 1357 by a group of influential men and women who came together to form a religious fraternity called the Guild of Our Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1371, a hospital was established in the undercroft for the poor people of York[3] and, in 1430, the fraternity was granted a royal charter by King Henry VI and renamed 'The Mistry of Mercers'.[3] It was granted the status of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York by Queen Elizabeth I in 1581. The principal parts of the building are the Great Hall, the chapel and the undercroft.[4]

The Great Hall is a timber-framed structure and was built over a five-year period. It is the largest timber-framed building in the UK still standing and used for its original purpose. The roof of the hall is of two spans supported by a row of large central timber posts. It includes complex crown posts and is held together by wooden pegs. The undercroft, like the Great Hall, is divided in two by its supporting row of timber posts. The undercroft also provides access to an attached chapel built for the use of the ill and poor in the hospital as well as the members of the Merchant Adventurers' Guild. It is still used for worship.[5]

The Hall belongs to and is still regularly used by The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York, who, although no longer dedicated to mercantile activities are prominent in York and still exist as a charitable membership group.[6] The company has an extensive set of records, with documents dating from the 13th century and accounts dating back to 1432.[7] The Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York holds photocopies of many of the medieval deeds, account rolls, rentals, and of Guild minutes for the period 1677–1985.[7] From 1918, the Company appointed Maud Sellers as an honorary archivist of its historical material - Sellers was a historian with an interest in the site and was involved in its restoration and study from 1895.[8]

Works of art in the hall include a painting by Jan Griffier entitled "Dutch snow scene with skaters",[9] a painting by Joseph Farington depicting the Old Ouse Bridge at York[10] and a portrait by William Etty of his brother, John Etty.[11]

It is a short walk from this hall to the Merchant Taylors' Hall in York, another medieval guildhall but in less original condition.[12]

[edit]
  • The Great Hall
    The Great Hall
  • The Governors Parlour Room
    The Governors Parlour Room
  • The Undercroft
    The Undercroft
  • The Chapel
    The Chapel
  • Exterior
    Exterior
  • The Gatehouse
    The Gatehouse

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Historic England. "Merchant Adventurers Hall (1257828)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  2. ^ Historic England. "Gatehouse to Merchant Adventurers Hall (1257822)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  3. ^ a b "The York Merchant Adventurers And Their Hall, edited by Pamela Hartshorne". York Press. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Hall Highlights: Going underground…the history of the Undercroft". Merchant Adventurers' Hall. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Welcome". Merchant Adventurers' Hall. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Trust Property Administered In Connection With The Company Of The Merchant Adventurers Of The City Of York". Companies House. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b Smith, David M. (1990). A Guide of the Archives to the Company of Merchant Adventurers of York. Borthwick Institute Publications. ISBN 978-0903857567.
  8. ^ "Maud Sellers, Guild Member". HerStory.York. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  9. ^ Griffier, Jan. "Dutch Snow Scene with Skaters". Art.uk. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  10. ^ Farrington, Joseph. "Old Ouse Bridge at York". Art UK. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  11. ^ Etty, William. "John Etty". Art UK. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  12. ^ Historic England. "Merchant Taylors' Hall (1259571)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 June 2016.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Merchant Adventurers Hall.

53°57′28″N 1°04′44″W / 53.9579°N 1.0788°W / 53.9579; -1.0788

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