My second visit of day two of the York Residents Weekend was to the Merchant Taylors Hall in Aldwark, and I was immediately struck by the attractive stained glass that has been installed since my last visit there. Probably now best known as a venue for weddings and corporate events, the hall has a long and interesting history.
In 2014 a major dendrochronological investigation of the roof timbers of their Great Hall established its build date as 1415 and inspired the Company to commemorate the imminent 600th anniversary. Stained glass artist Helen Whittaker and Master Glazier Keith Barley were commissioned to incorporate the Company's coat of arms into the three windows in the east end of the Great Hall in stained glass. In the new central window, the arms creates the focal point, depicted as if sewn onto silk. The surrounding fabric flows across the remaining glazing and into the flanking windows.
The roof is an unusual combination of two systems of construction - a triangular truss consisting of a bottom tie with a central post and braces and two big curved arches both of which are capable of supporting the pitched rafters and roof covering. The width and height of the Great Hall are similar and its length is twice its width.
The Company of Merchant Taylors of the City of York traces its origins back to the three medieval guilds of tailors, drapers and hosiers. As one of the leading York City craft guilds, the tailors played an important role in the famous sequence of York Corpus Christi mystery plays.
They received a Royal Charter of Incorporation from King Charles II on 26th April 1662. Until the 1830s the Merchant Taylors’ Company was essentially a working body of master tailors.
When, in 1835, the Municipal Corporations Act formally removed all guild restrictions on industrial activity, the Company of the York Taylors – and their Hall – faced their greatest crisis by far, but by adapting to change the Hall and Merchant Taylors have survived. Through the 20th century there was a gradual process of restoration and improvement of facilities, making it an impressive building and a remarkable survival.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are as always very much appreciated!
Ian
Thanks for sharing
Thank you Nina, I'm pleased you like it.
Ian