The Guildhall

The half-timbered building dates from the late 14th century and was built as a private house for Richard of Redness. Richard left the house to the city in his will and it became a meeting point for various trade guilds. Carlisle had 8 of these guilds - for butchers, merchants, cordwainers (shoemakers), glovers (including skinners), smiths, tailors, tanners and weavers, with each using a different room in the Guildhall as a meeting place.

[linda]

love your history lesson, and I did my degree in Carlisle and never knew this. Even better that is is now an Italian and surviving, I'll have garlic bread and pasta al forno and on my way to join you. love the sunshine too

[Juan B.]

Very interesting building and history. Did they use bricks in 14th century or suffered changes across the time?

[iCamera]

Fantastic presentation of this historic building, I've enjoyed viewing the architecture. The mix of style between lower and upper floors is intriguing.

[sally agnew]

Thanks for sharing this really interesting piece of history. I really love the architecture on the upper floor :)

[Lesley Aldridge]

You will have to have a trip around Carlisle English Heritage have a good town trial Linda. @pinkpaintpot. @jborrases the bricks isn't something I hadn't thought about they were added in the 1830's replacing wattle and daube. @icamera and @hermann thank you for your lovely comments. I'm usually too busy shopping and talking with my Mum to stop, look and take photos!