Merchant Adventurers Hall in York

In the middle of Yorkshire sits the city of York, one of the oldest cities in the United Kingdom. A treasure trove of attractions awaits the visitor here. One could take days mentioning their names and many pages as we have here for you telling their history.

York’s history goes back as far as Ancient Roman times when the city was founded in 71 by the emperor Vespasian. Over the next two millennia, the city went through periods of prosperity and ignorance.

The city maintained a position of regional power into the beginning of the XVth Century, but then declined until the end of the Civil War in the XVIIth Century. It was during the former that the Merchant Adventurers Hall was constructed.

YORK

As the XIVth Century opened, merchants across Europe were growing in importance and power thanks to their growing wealth and overseas trade was becoming more attractive. They were often chosen as mayors, funded the arts and sponsored the construction of churches. In the case of York, almost no decision could be made without them until the XIXth Century. The term "Merchant Adventurer" does not mean a merchant who physically goes out on dangerous adventurers, but one who sends his wealth on such expeditions. Risk became a badge of honour and respect.

Those who aspired or attained such a status built a place for themselves in 1361, which is reflected in their coat of arms: wings and wavy lines with the motto ‘May God Prosper Our Affairs.’ Three merchants, who were mercers trading in fine cloth, founded the guild in 1357. They became a Mistery (or craft) in 1430 and obtained a charter in 1581, which gave them a monopoly of all goods except fish and salt imported to York.

The building is categorized as a guildhall, which is where a guild met and discussed its affairs. Each member had certain rights and responsibilities. Each guildhall has three types of rooms: business, charitable and religious, which are known here as the Great Hall, the Undercroft and the Chapel. One look at the building and you can not help but remark that it stands out when we imagine what guildhalls should look like: possibly drab and dreary. The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is one of the best-preserved examples in the world.

ON a sunny day the old building looks a real treat

As you move into the building, you need to pass through a series of Anterooms before entering the Great Hall. This room is where many of the meeting of today's merchants still take place. One I personally went to here had the governor of the bank of england speaking at a breakfast. Lovingly wood-paneled, its shape and size resembles that of a double nave. Look out for the Committee Room in one of its corners. Fashions change over time, so one should not be surprised to see a myriad of styles, such as the sash windows. Portraits of governors and royalty populate the walls. If you have sharp eyes, you might be able to discern where carpenters made a design mark during its construction.

Let us move downstairs to the Undercroft. Its role as a hospital began in 1373 and ended in 1900. Niches probably functioned as clothes cupboards. The Chapel was restored under the reign of Charles II. Its stained glass window displays the business and religious seals of the guild. The outside area is full of gardens and is now referred to as the Garden of Rest. Walk around the building and try to spot the carved diamond, vines and grapes.

There are a lot of items on display, such as maces, overmantel and chests used to keep property titles. In terms of art, photographs from the mid XIXth Century can be found as well as a multitude of paintings from private collections or purchased for the guild by members. The Governor’s Parlour has the most priceless antique and jewellery on show.