The Guildhall - Lavenham Part 6

Away from generally wandering around Lavenham and homing in on some places of interest, the first being The Guildhall.
Built about 1530, it is one of four guildhalls that once existed in Lavenham. The Guildhall and the two adjoining buildings together form a section of an  early Tudor street.  

The building is now owned by The National Trust and the tearoom at one end is a rare example of a Tudor shop, goods being traded through the two arched windows, and the Guildhall itself demonstrates the skill of the late mediaeval carpenters and wood carvers.

The primary objects of Lavenham gilds were religious - they were not trade associations. The gilds were dissolved at the Reformation. During Queen Mary's reign, in 1555, prisoners were housed in the building and from 1596 to the late 1600s it was the Town Hall, afterwards becoming a prison which closed in 1787. Later, it served as a workhouse, an almshouse and, in  the 19th century, a wool store.

Let's go inside

and first down  into the cellars

then to the top floor to see a little of life in the past

looking out onto the Market Place

then out into the garden at the back

here we see remnants of the prison

and here the mortuary with funeral cart

(still more to come)

Lavenham Part 5

As we continue our walk around Lavenham we are gradually returning towards the centre of the village

Shilling Grange which belonged to John Schylling, whose will is dated 1476 

de Vere House dating from 1425 holds a lot of history but is now turned into holiday apartments

The family are reputed to be descended from the days of Caesar, but certainly from Alfonus de Veer of New Zealand, who married Countess Katherine of Flanders, daughter of Arnold II. Their son Aubrey de Vere, came to England and held land under Edward the Confessor. He took sides with William the Conqueror in 1066, and following the Norman conquest, the two Lavenham manors of Overhall and Netherhall were given to him and he married Beatrix, the Conquerer's sister.

There has been much controversy over who actually wrote Shakespeare. Thought possibly that Edward de Vere 1550 was the writer?

There is much more but I am sure that is enough 

The Priory

The sign says "The Gardener's House"

We will finish our walking here but there is still a lot to post on this beautiful village

Lavenham Part 4

We will continue our walk around Lavenham taking in some visual treats

Coming to the outskirts of the village some modern housing is inter mingled

A typical cottage garden

Lavenham has been used for quite a number of films

The Witchfinder General (1968)

The 13 Chairs (1970)

Lovejoy (a TV series in the 1990's)

Apotheosis 2 (1969)

The Canterbury Tales (1972)

Barry Lyndon (1975)

Playing Away (1986)

Spun Gold, Children of the New forest and Highway all feature Lavenham

Still lots more to come on this delightful village