Worcester Guildhall
| Worcester Guildhall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Worcester, Worcestershire |
| Coordinates | 52°11′28″N 2°13′15″W / 52.1912°N 2.2208°W |
| Built | 1723 |
| Architect | Thomas White |
| Architectural style(s) | Queen Anne style |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Designated | 22 May 1954 |
| Reference no. | 1389921 |
  Location of Worcester Guildhall in Worcestershire | |
The Worcester Guildhall is a municipal building in the High Street, Worcester. It is a Grade I listed building.[1]
History
The first guildhall on the site was a timber-framed structure constructed as a meeting place for local merchants in about 1227.[2] In 1717 civic leaders decided to replace the old guildhall with a grander structure.[3]
The current building, which was designed by Thomas White in the Queen Anne style, was completed in 1723.[1] The design involved a central bay and two wings with the central bay being flanked by two full-height Composite order columns with a pediment above displaying flute-playing cherubs and the Royal Arms.[1] At roof level, above the cornice, carved figures of Justice, Peace, Plenty, Chastisement and Hercules were erected together with four urns.[1] At ground floor level, in the middle of the central bay was the main entrance which was flanked by Composite order columns with a fanlight and architrave above.[1] On either side of the entrance, statues of King Charles I and King Charles II were erected in niches; at first floor level, above the main entrance a statue of Queen Anne was erected, also in a niche.[1] Inside, a court room and a lower hall were established on the ground floor and a council chamber and a large imposing assembly room were established on the first floor.[2]
King George III described the assembly room as "a handsome gallery" when he visited the guildhall in August 1788.[4]
In the 18th century, Worcester elected members of Parliament at the guildhall, a minimum requirement being that they should own freehold property worth 40 shillings a year; the decision was made by the loudest shouting rather than raising of hands.[5] The court room was used a facility for dispensing justice and accommodated the crown court and nisi prius court.[1] Citizens were given the privilege of being imprisoned underneath the guildhall rather than in the town jail, except for the most serious offences.[5]
Sir Winston Churchill was presented with the Freedom of the City of Worcester at the guildhall on 20 May 1950.[6]
The guildhall was the headquarters of the county borough of Worcester for much of the 20th century and, following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1972,[7] became the meeting place of enlarged Worcester City Council.[8]
Gallery
-
The Assembly Room -
The Lower Hall -
The Council Chambers -
The Court Room -
The Mayors Parlour Room
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Historic England. "Guildhall, Worcester (1389921)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ^ a b "Worcester Guildhall". Discover Worcestershire. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ "Worcester Guildhall". Britain Express. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ "The Queen comes to Worcester: Interesting facts about the visit". ITV. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ a b Willis-Bund, J W; Page, William, eds. (1924). "The city of Worcester: Introduction and borough". A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 4. London: British History Online. pp. 376–390. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - ^ "Freedom of the City of Worcester" (PDF). Worcester Civic Society. 2016. p. 3. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ Local Government Act 1972. 1972 c.70. The Stationery Office Ltd. 1997. ISBN 0-10-547072-4.
- ^ "Council Agenda" (PDF). Worcester City Council. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.