Thaxted Guildhall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thaxted Guildhall |
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Thaxted Guildhall in 2008
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| Location | Thaxted, Essex |
| Built | 1410 |
| Architectural style(s) | Jettied timber framing |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Guildhall, Thaxted | |
| Designated | 20 February 1967 |
| Reference no. | 1112905 |
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The Thaxted Guildhall is a special old building in Thaxted, Essex, England. It's a "Grade I listed building," which means it's very important and protected because of its history and unique design. This building has been a key part of the town for hundreds of years.
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What is the Thaxted Guildhall?
The Thaxted Guildhall is a historic public building. It was built a long time ago to serve the people of Thaxted. A "guildhall" is a place where groups of people, often called "guilds," would meet. Guilds were like clubs or associations for people who did the same kind of work, like bakers or cutlers (people who made knives).
How Old is the Guildhall?
The Guildhall was built a very long time ago. Experts believe it was finished between 1390 and 1410. This was a time when Thaxted was famous for making cutlery, like knives and forks. A group called the Guild of Cutlers might have helped pay for the building.
However, scientists have used a method called dendrochronology to study the wood. Dendrochronology is like reading the tree rings to find out when a tree was cut down. This study shows that much of the wood used in the Guildhall actually dates from the late 1400s.
What Does the Guildhall Look Like?
The Guildhall has a very interesting design. It uses a style called "jettied timber framing." This means the upper floors stick out over the lower ones.
- Ground Floor: This floor had open arches, like a covered walkway. This space was used for markets, where people could buy and sell goods.
- First Floor: This floor sticks out over the pavement on three sides. It has four small, pointed "gothic" windows on each side. This was likely the main meeting room.
- Attic Floor: This top floor sticks out even further than the first floor. It has two small bay windows on each side.
Inside the building, a large oak post stands in the middle of the ground floor. This post helps support the whole building above it. The main room for meetings was on the first floor. At the back, there was a staircase and a closed-off area. This area was known as the "old cage" and was probably used as a small jail for the town. You can still see its original doorway and barred windows.
What Was the Guildhall Used For?
The Guildhall was a busy place for the town.
A Place for Town Meetings
Thaxted became a very important town after Queen Mary I gave it a special charter in the mid-1500s. This charter gave the town more rights and power. The Guildhall was the main place for town meetings during this time.
However, the town's importance decreased when King James II lost power in the late 1600s. The town's charter was taken away.
From School to Museum
Around the late 1600s, the Guildhall was fixed up and turned into a school. It was known as Thaxted Grammar School and stayed a school until 1878.
The building has been repaired and improved many times over the years. Major restoration work was done in 1911 and again in 1975.
Today, the Guildhall is still used for community events. In 2008, it hosted an exhibition to gather ideas from local people about how the town should develop.
Inside the Guildhall, you can see a painting of a famous local priest named Reverend Conrad Noel. There is also a small museum inside the building. This museum has old photographs and items that show the history of Thaxted and how it has changed over time.
