Merchant Adventurers' Hall

Built between 1357 and 1361, the Merchant Adventurers' Hall is an outstanding example of a medieval guildhall and one of the best preserved in Britain.

The building, added to and renovated at later dates, comprises of a great hall where the guild members met for social and business occasions, an undercroft which served as a charity hospital and the chapel where members worshipped.

Medieval guilds, like the Merchant Adventurers, whose trading ships journeyed as far as Russia and the Middle East, were vital to the lifeblood of any medieval city. They were an association of businessmen employed in the same trade.

The Great Room is still virtually in its original state, with one or two exceptions. The sash windows were inserted about 1720, but one of the early windows can still be seen over the servery.

The fireplace was built in the late 16th century; earlier there were probably charcoal braziers. The panelling and Governor's Stall date from the Elizabethan and Georgian periods.

It was in the undercroft that the poor were cared for until around 1900. The undercroft's walls are made of brick, the oldest known use of brick in York since the Romans left almost 1,000 years earlier.

The chapel is at the far end of the undercroft. It was rebuilt in 1411 in both stone and brick. It is believed that many of the stones came from a building in the Norman period.

The present furnishings of the chapel date from 1661 and, prior to the Reformation, the chapel was richly decorated with stained glass windows, beautiful cloths on its five altars and magnificently carved images.

Further details:

Open: October-March - Monday-Saturday 9am-3.30pm
Easter-October - Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm
Friday and Saturday 9am-3pm
Sunday 12pm-4pm

Admission: Adults £2.50, concessions £2.00, children aged seven-17 £1.00, under sevens free. Family ticket £6.

Facilities: Audio Guide, exhibitions, conferences, functions, dinners.

Disabled access: Fully accessible

Contact: (01904) 654818.

Email: enquiries@theyorkcompany.co.uk

Website: www.theyorkcompany.co.uk

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