Description

KING'S LYNN

TF6119NE SATURDAY MARKET PLACE
610-1/9/199 (North side)
01/12/51 Guildhall

GV I

Guildhall (of the Holy and Undivided Trinity), now part of
civic accommodation. 1422-28; porch and interior alterations
of 1624.
Brick with ashlar and flint dressings. Plain tiled roofs.
Narrow site, set gable-end to street. Two elements. To right
(east) is the gabled guildhall proper, with the Stone Hall
forming the upper 2 floors and lit through a 7-light
Perpendicular arched window with panel tracery. Moulded jambs.
Stone string course divides this from ground floor.
Ground floor is a brick undercroft used, when built, to store
the guilds goods. Originally entered through 2 timber
doorways, these removed and replaced with two 2-light,
round-arched Y-tracery windows. One small 2-light window
flanks right and left. Polygonal corner turrets close
elevation and rise to gabled roof. Whole of facade decorated
with knapped flint squares alternating with stone squares to
produce chequered flushwork.
Original entrance to Stone Hall was via a dog-leg staircase
against west wall. In 1624 present porch built to protect new
staircase; this forms left (west) element in overall design.
Of same materials and with same chequered flushwork.
3 storeys and gabled roof. Diminishing polygonal corner shafts
and string courses at each floor. Central round-headed doorway
with pair of engaged Doric columns. Guttae under flat hood.
Small subsidiary doors either side under lunettes. First floor
lit through 6-light transomed casement. Top floor with a large
re-used coat of arms relating to reign of Elizabeth, and
inscribed Edward Hargae, Mayor, 1624. This flanked by a small
light each side and another in each of returns. When noticed
that coat of arms to Elizabeth was re-used, a new achievement
relating to Charles II was erected on parapet at Restoration
and inscribed William Wharton, Mayor, 1664.
INTERIOR. Porch doorway leads to timber staircase. Fluted
Ionic timber columns on high bases right and left. Balustrade
with fat turned balusters and moulded handrail. Dog-legs to
right to approach entrance to Stone Hall: moulded stone jambs
and arch, with double plank and muntin doors. Stone Hall in 4
bays (originally 6). Chamfered wall arches. Wainscoting from
1895. Roof of crenellated tie beams supported on arched braces
with pierced tracery spandrels. Roof above is scissor-braced,
but boarded. Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Listing NGR: TF6171619861

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Guildhall at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17536470

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)