Totnes Guildhall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Totnes Guildhall |
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Guildhall
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| Location | Totnes, Devon |
| Built | 1553 |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 7 January 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1235949 |
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The Totnes Guildhall is a very old and important building in the town of Totnes, in Devon, southwest England. It was built in 1553, during the Tudor period. This historic building has been many things over the centuries. It served as a meeting place for local leaders, a court where judges made decisions, and even a prison. Today, it is a special Grade I listed building, meaning it's protected for its history.
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A Look Back at Totnes Guildhall's History
The First Guildhall and Royal Charters
Long ago, in 1206, King John gave Totnes a special permission, called a charter. This charter allowed the town to create its own rules and laws. Because of this, the town's merchants were able to form a group called a guild. They built their first guildhall on the High Street. This early building was later used to measure and stamp cloth. In 1719, it was rebuilt as a private home.
From Priory to Guildhall
The building you see today was once part of Totnes Priory. This priory was a religious house built by Juhel de Totnes. In the 1540s, King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries and priories across England. This event was called the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
After King Henry VIII, his son King Edward VI gave Totnes another charter in 1553. This new charter allowed one of the old priory buildings to be used as a guildhall. This specific building had been the monks' refectory, which was their dining hall.
Changes and Important Visitors
In 1624, part of the first floor was turned into a magistrates' court. This was a place where local judges heard cases and made decisions. During the English Civil War, soldiers stayed in the building. In 1646, two famous leaders, Oliver Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax, even met there! They sat at the oak tables in the council chamber.
The lower hall was a public meeting room. You can see the names of over 600 town mayors on its walls. These mayors have served the town since 1359! The building also had prison cells in the basement. It was used as the town's gaol (another word for prison) until 1887. In 1897, a new section called a loggia was added to the front. This part used columns from another old building that had been taken down.
In July 1962, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited the guildhall. The council chamber was used for town meetings for a long time. However, in 1972, a new local government was formed, and the guildhall was no longer the main place for local government. The magistrates' court continued to be used for hearings until 1974.
What Totnes Guildhall Is Used For Today
Today, the Totnes Guildhall is still very active! The Totnes Town Council uses it for their meetings and other special events. It is also open to the public on weekdays. This means you can visit and explore this amazing piece of history for yourself!
