THE GUILDHALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 310, 31 December 1940, Page 6

THE GUILDHALL.

ITS STORIED PAST. REDUCED TO ASHES. GREAT HISTORICAL TREASURE One of the priceless architectural and historical treasure" of the City of London, the Guildhall, latest target for Xazi bombers, was rich in traditional associations from the storied past. Second only in historical interest to the famous Tower, it was the centre of the ceremonial life of the great city, colourful, beautiful and irreplaceable. Over five centuries ago the original ■building of the Guildhall wae begun in 1411 and completed after fifteen years. Two and a half centuries later, already venerable with age, it was partly destroyed by the Great Fire, and its restoration wae probably the work of Sir Chri«opter Wren. Further restoratioTis were carried out in 1815 and 1909, but the Guildhall continued to be substantially an early fifteenth century building, with the Porch and the East Crypt ae noteworthy example*? of the period. It was here that the Lord Mayor wa« elected each year, and here also that the ■banquet was held after the Lord Mayor's Show on November i>. Reminder* of the symbolical giant which was the pride of every city in ancient times were Gog and Magog, the great figures guarding the staircase of the Guildhall, once carried in the show. Impre*>eion« of the famous hall are intertwined with memories of its lacelike stonework, its handsome roof, its mellowed oak, its beautifully proportioned windows, its turrets, buttresses and the tracery of its eight baye. At the north end of the Guildhall yard, SlO yards north of (Jresham Street, the Guildhall was just off the flow of traflic, and thus enjoyed a quietness and dignity in keeping with itx architectural features. The Great Hall.

The Great Hill, ir>2ft long. 495 ft wide, and 80ft high, was • restored by Sir Horace Jones in lS(if!-70. and provided with a new open tinvber roof. For many years past the hall had been used for municipal meetings and public meetings, as well as. the election of tho Lord Mayor, sheriffs and members of Parliament, also the "Court of Husting" and the. State banquets and entertainments of the Corporation. The most important of the ceremonies was the great public dinner in connection with the Lord Mayor's Show, given to members of the Cabinet and other important citizens. Tho speeches made by Minister* have ■been often of great political -significance. Almost all the Royalties of Europe had been feted in this hall, and many eminent statesmen, soldiers and sailors had here received the freedom of the City. At an earlier period the hall was used also for important trials, including that of Lady Jane firey. On State occasions the Corporation'* collection of gold and silver plate used for banquets wae a dazzling richness, unequalled anywhere in the world. The ornate dinner eervices, and display of the precious metals, were of priceless value, and with the liveries .worn tby the attendants made a setting of arresting splendour. The windows in the north and south walls, with scenes of City, history, dated in their latest form from 1870. A fifteenth century window in the southwest corner, uncovered in WOt). was the only old window in the Guildhall, and still retained some of its original iron work. In 1014 the walls were eeraped clear of paint and plaster, revealing in very interesting fashion the line between the blackened stone work left by the Great Fire and that of later times. Among the monuments were those to English military and naval heroes. High up on the walls were the banners of the sixteen chief livery companies.

An archway on the north side of the great hall opened on a lobby leading to the Common Council Chamber, a richly

decorated apartment constructed half a century ago. Beyond this chamber was the Aldermen'* Court Room, dating from 10H0. with elaborately carved panels, stained glass windows and a painted ceiling. Famous Treasures Stored. The Guildhall Library contained one of the most fa mollis collections anil specialised in books on the history of London. It consisted of 180.000 printed volumes and pamphlets and over tiOtMt manuscripts. The library was originally built in 1423. The Guildhall Art Gallery was established in I.SHd with a ba«is of historical portraits and other works commissioned by or presented to the Corporation since 1)170. Fifty years ngo the gallery was enlarged and altered to provide for important additions to. the collection. The Guildhall Museum of London antiquities occupied the basement floor beneath the library and contained an interesting collection of Itomnii and other antiquities found within the city. A fine pointed door on the west side of the museum led to the Crypt*, a most interesting survival of lTith century architecture. In its vaulted roof were large carved bosses at the intersections of the ribs, and among the nnticruitie* was a Roman sarcophagus in white marble. Near the Guildhall, on the eai«t corner of the. Guildhall Yard, was the Church of St. Laurence Jewry, nl»o hit by bombs in Sunday night's raid. This church, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire, was one of London's many interesting historical buildings.