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 very old and important building in the town of Thaxted, Essex, England. It is a special kind of historic building known as a Grade I listed building. This means it is considered to be of exceptional national interest and is protected.
Contents
History of Thaxted Guildhall
Early Beginnings & Construction
In the late 1300s, Thaxted was a busy center for making cutlery, which are tools like knives and forks. It is believed that a group called the Guild of Cutlers helped pay for the Guildhall. Records from 1967 suggest the building was finished between 1390 and 1410.
However, scientists have used a method called dendrochronology (which studies tree rings) to find out the exact age of the wood. This research shows that much of the timber used in the Guildhall actually dates from the late 1400s.
Unique Building Design
The Guildhall was built using a special style called "jettied timber framing". This means the upper floors stick out over the ones below.
- The ground floor had open arches, like a covered walkway. This allowed markets to be held there, protecting sellers and buyers from the weather.
- The first floor stuck out over the pavement on three sides. It had four small, pointed "gothic" windows on each side.
- The attic floor stuck out even further and had two small "bay windows" on each side.
A large oak post was placed in the middle of the market area on the ground floor. This post helped support the entire building above it.
Inside the Guildhall
The main room inside was the meeting hall, located on the first floor at the front. At the back of the building, there was a staircase on the left. On the right, there was a closed-off area known as the "old cage." This cage was likely used as a village lock-up, a small jail for temporary holding. You can tell this because it had its own doorway on the ground floor and barred windows on the first floor.
Changes Over Time
The Guildhall was an important meeting place for the town. Thaxted became very successful after Queen Mary I gave it a special charter in the mid-1500s. However, the town's importance decreased when King James II lost power in the late 1600s, and the charter was taken away.
Around that time, the building was repaired and turned into a school. It was known as Thaxted Grammar School and remained a school until 1878. More repair work, including fixing the timber, was done in 1911. It was also refurbished again in 1975 as part of a special year for European architecture.
Modern Use and Exhibitions
In 2008, the Guildhall hosted a Design Statement Exhibition. This event gathered ideas from local people to help guide how the town would develop in the future.
Inside the Guildhall, you can find artworks, including a painting of Reverend Conrad Noel. He was a well-known local priest and a Christian socialist, meaning he believed in combining Christian values with social justice. The painting was created by Frank William Carter.
There is also a small museum inside the building. It displays photographs and various items that show the history and growth of Thaxted over many years.
