Guildhall Museum
Encyclopedia
The ancient Boston Guildhall of St Mary's Guild in Boston, Lincolnshire
, England
was built in the 1390's. It was previously thought to have been built in 1450, but during its recent restoration and analysis of the roof timbers, experts have dated the building much earlier. The Guildhall is also one of the earliest brick buildings in Lincolnshire.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries
, it became the town hall, council chamber (until 1904 when new buildings were built), courts and was used for banquets or any celebrations for the town.
In 1607, it is believed to have been the place where William Brewster
, William Bradford and their followers (the Separatists
, later to be known as the Pilgrim Fathers) were taken following their arrest after trying to flee England.
Boston Guildhall (as it is now called) now tells the story of the building itself as well as the history of the town of Boston, including its importance in medieval times as a port, and Boston's links with the Hanseatic League
.
In the Court Room are a set of ceramic tiles designed by John Moyr Smith
depicting various scenes from Shakespearian plays; they date around 1878 and were made at the Minton China Works, Stoke-on-Trent.
The Council Chamber has a grand and large portrait of Sir Joseph Banks commissioned by the Corporation of Boston in 1814 and painted by Thomas Phillips RA. Banks was recorder for the town and his Estate of Revesby lies north of Boston.
Boston, Lincolnshire
Boston is a town and small port in Lincolnshire, on the east coast of England. It is the largest town of the wider Borough of Boston local government district and had a total population of 55,750 at the 2001 census...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
was built in the 1390's. It was previously thought to have been built in 1450, but during its recent restoration and analysis of the roof timbers, experts have dated the building much earlier. The Guildhall is also one of the earliest brick buildings in Lincolnshire.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
, it became the town hall, council chamber (until 1904 when new buildings were built), courts and was used for banquets or any celebrations for the town.
In 1607, it is believed to have been the place where William Brewster
William Brewster (Pilgrim)
Elder William Brewster was a Mayflower passenger and a Pilgrim colonist leader and preacher.-Origins:Brewster was probably born at Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, circa 1566/1567, although no birth records have been found, and died at Plymouth, Massachusetts on April 10, 1644 around 9- or 10pm...
, William Bradford and their followers (the Separatists
Separatism
Separatism is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, governmental or gender separation from the larger group. While it often refers to full political secession, separatist groups may seek nothing more than greater autonomy...
, later to be known as the Pilgrim Fathers) were taken following their arrest after trying to flee England.
Boston Guildhall (as it is now called) now tells the story of the building itself as well as the history of the town of Boston, including its importance in medieval times as a port, and Boston's links with the Hanseatic League
Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an economic alliance of trading cities and their merchant guilds that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe...
.
In the Court Room are a set of ceramic tiles designed by John Moyr Smith
John Moyr Smith
John Moyr Smith was a British artist and designer, noted for his work on ceramic tiles.An example of his work is the interior of the Great Hall of the former Holloway Sanatorium, now in Virginia Park, an exclusive housing development near Virginia Water, Surrey, England.-External links:* designed...
depicting various scenes from Shakespearian plays; they date around 1878 and were made at the Minton China Works, Stoke-on-Trent.
The Council Chamber has a grand and large portrait of Sir Joseph Banks commissioned by the Corporation of Boston in 1814 and painted by Thomas Phillips RA. Banks was recorder for the town and his Estate of Revesby lies north of Boston.
External links
- Boston Guildhall - official site
- Guildhall Boston, Lincolnshire