York Guildhall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids York Guildhall |
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The Guildhall facing the River Ouse
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| Location | York, North Yorkshire |
| Built | 1459 |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 14 June 1954 |
| Reference no. | 1257929 |
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The York Guildhall is a special building in York, England. It's located in St Martins Courtyard, near Coney Street. This historic building sits right behind the Mansion House. It's so important that it's a Grade I listed building, which means it's protected because of its history and architecture.
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A Look at the Guildhall's Past
The Guildhall was built a long time ago, between 1449 and 1459. It was made to be a meeting place for the city's guilds. Guilds were like clubs or associations for people who did the same kind of work, such as merchants or craftspeople. They helped set rules for their trades and supported each other.
Famous Visitors and Events
Many important events and people have been part of the Guildhall's history:
- In 1483, King Richard III visited and was entertained here.
- The Guildhall was the location for the trial of St Margaret Clitherow in 1586. She was a brave woman who stood up for her beliefs.
- During the English Civil War in 1647, a huge amount of money, £200,000, was counted here. This money was a ransom paid to the Scots to release King Charles I.
- In October 1850, Prince Albert, who was married to Queen Victoria, was a special guest at a royal dinner in the building.
- Around 1682, a beautiful stained glass window, made by Henry Gyles, was at the north end of the Guildhall.
Expanding the Guildhall Buildings
Over the years, more buildings were added to the Guildhall complex:
- In 1811, a new building was put up next to the original hall. It was designed by Peter Atkinson the younger and was used as a council chamber. Today, it's called "the Atkinson Room."
- Later, in 1891, another building was added to the north side. This one was designed by Enoch Mawbey, the city surveyor. It held an even bigger council chamber and is now known as "the Municipal Offices." The new council chamber was decorated by Kendal, Milne and Co in the 1890s.
Rebuilding After War
During World War II, in 1942, the inside of the original Guildhall was badly damaged. This happened during a bombing raid, sometimes called a Baedeker raid. The beautiful stained glass window was also destroyed.
After the war, the Guildhall was carefully rebuilt. A new stained glass window was created by Harry Harvey of York. This window shows five important parts of York's history: its buildings, wars, city government, trade, and religious education. The rebuilt Guildhall was officially opened in 1960 by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
The Guildhall Today
For many years, the City of York Council held its meetings in the Guildhall. However, in 2017, a big project began to fix some serious problems with the building's structure. This renovation cost about £21 million. During this time, the council met in a different location.
The renovation was finished in 2022. After that, the building was leased to the University of York. Now, the Guildhall is used as a special center to help new businesses get started.
Images for kids
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The York Guildhall as seen from behind the Mansion House
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The Council chamber inside the Guildhall
