Monument record 1160/0/13 - Possible Late Saxon/Saxo-Norman Guildhall, Gold Street

A 12th century document refers to 'land of Gildhalle' in this location, indicating that the early Guidlhall lay at the centre of the Saxon town and possibly suggesting a pre-Conquest origin.

{1} Guild and Guildhall were certainly in existence by 1166. Suggests site of early Guildhall was at centre of the Saxon town, this also suggests a pre-Conquest origin. The Guildhall was transferred to a site in All Saints soon after the Conquest though an 'intermediate' Guildhall in Scarletwell Street cannot be discounted.

{2} Lee records ".. Old town hall was in a little close adjoining last house on right hand in lane going from Mayorhold to Scarletwell". He also states that "..in Mayorhold was kept a Market Place and the chief part of the town was built about it and near to it…".

{3} Only two properties were held by St John's in Gold St and they were located at the junction of Gold St and Horsemarket.

{4}Only two properties were held by St John's in Gold St and they were located at the junction of Gold St and Horsemarket.

{5} Only two properties were held by St John's in Gold St and they were located at the junction of Gold St and Horsemarket.

{6} Between 1158 and 1166 Simon de Senlis III had confirmed to St John's Hospital "….place where stands chapel of St Mary Magdalene with all land of Gildhalle and men dwelling on it quit of pleas aid geld and customs….".

{7} Records in Gold St "…a messuage or tenement called The Harpe….dissolved chapell sometyme called Magdalenes thereto adjoining..".

{8} Only 2 properties held by St John's in Gold St and they were located at junction of Gold St & Horsemarket.

{9} There is only one mention of 'the land of guildhalle' in any known document, an inspeximus and confirmation to St John's Hospital in 1404 in the Public Record Office published volumes of the Calendar of Patent Rolls (1401-5). This confirms a charter of Simon, Earl of Northampton, confirming grants his father made, which would have been shortly after the founding of St John's Hospital in 1138. In the list which follows is:
"the place where stands the chapel of St Mary Magdalen with all the land of gildhalle and the men dwelling on it quit of pleas, aid, gelds and customs"
In the Liber Customarum of Northampton there are various 15th century references to "Guyhals", "Gihalda" or "Gylehalle" referring in effect to the earliest form of council chamber in the town. One ordinance in the 1380s refers to "Gildam Aulam". Hence finding a reference to something called 'Gildhalle' in about 1138, within fifty years of the Domesday Book, might give a clue to the earliest focus of administration in Northampton. However it is not clear whether the use of 'Gildhalle' in 1404 is a direct quotation from the original grant, or a substitution of contemporary language. Earlier Northampton charters use "hustings" to describe this function and this term is used for some proceedings in 16th and 17th century Northampton. It cannot therefore be conclusive that the inspeximus refers to a guildhall; it might be a misreading of a personal name.
On the available evidence it seems likely that the site of the Chapel of St Mary Magdalen was on the north side of Gold Street, between College Street and the Drapery. Whether 'the land of Gildhalle' was adjacent to the chapel of St Mary Magdalen is less certain. It may have something to do with the other lands mentioned in the 16th century rentals: Arden's House, Garpelles etc. That 'the land of Guilhalle', if indeed it can be interpreted as an early guildhall site, is located at the east end of Gold Street is significant. This is more likely to have been the centre of the early Norman town.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.335-6 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> LEE H., 1932, Journal of Northants Natural History Society and Field Club, p.68 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN358.

<3> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.200+206 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1002.

<4> 1983, Northamptonshire Past and Present (7/1), p.5-9 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN456.

<5> 1837, Report of The Charity Commissioners, p.797+808 (unchecked) (Report). SNN495.

<6> Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1401-5/368 (1160) (unchecked) (Document). SNN978.

<7> 1568, Lease (NRO FH 1118), (unchecked) (Document). SNN39892.

<8> Rentals & Surveys (NRO SC 590), (unchecked) (Document). SNN39893.

<9> Welsh T.C., 2000, Document Search: "The Land Of Gildhalle" Northampton's Earliest Guildhall?, p.7 (unchecked) (Document). SNN100410.

Record last edited

Aug 27 2024 11:51AM