The Guildhall (EHER 1415)
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Summary
Guildhall, now a parish room, library and four flats. Built about 1500, altered in the 18th century. Timber-framed and plastered with a roof of clay tiles. The will of Robert Kempe, in 1658, endowed the building as a school and almshouses.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | TL 6857 3281 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | FINCHINGFIELD, BRAINTREE, ESSEX |
Type and Period
- GUILDHALL (Late 15th century to Mid 17th century - 1500 AD to 1658 AD)
- JETTIED BUILDING (Late 15th century to Mid 17th century - 1500 AD to 1658 AD)
- SHOP (Late 15th century to Mid 17th century - 1500 AD to 1658 AD)
- ALMSHOUSE (Late 15th century to Mid 17th century - 1500 AD to 1658 AD)
- COVERED WAY (Late 15th century to Mid 17th century - 1500 AD to 1658 AD)
- SCHOOL (Late 15th century to Mid 17th century - 1500 AD to 1658 AD)
- TEACHERS HOUSE (Late 15th century to Mid 17th century - 1500 AD to 1658 AD)
- MUSEUM (Late 15th century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- APARTMENT (Late 15th century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- LIBRARY (Late 15th century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- PARISH HALL (Late 15th century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
Description
Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import:
The Guildhall (now the Parish Hall and Almshouse) lies north-west of Finchingfield Church and was built probably about 1500, formerly housing the Trinity Guild and its school. During the reign of Edward VI (1547-1553) it became disused but was restored in 1630 by Sir Robert Kempe of Spain's Hall and established as an almshouse and school. Now in fairly good condition. Grade I.
Now the Parish Hall and Almshouses, north west of the churchyard. Two-storied, timber-framed and plastered, built probably about 1500, consists of 5 tenements with open gateway to churchyard. Parish Hall is above gateway. On north west front two windows with original moulded mullions. Some of the chimneystacks are of old bricks. Roof of Parish Hall has a king-post truss. Some of the chimneystacks are of old bricks. Under open gateway, a post has the head carved with E T 84 (probably 1584). <1> - <3>
A long white timber-framed cottage. <4>
Altered in the 18th century. Now parish room, library and 4 flats. Two 18th to 19th century axial stacks. 18th century windows. Both sides of footway through open gateway have weatherboarded dados, one board inscribed 1798. The Trinity Guild of Finchingfield is mentioned in Chantry Certificates of 1548. Its lands were granted by the Crown in 1549 to William and John Myldemay. 1630, it was given to the poor of the parish, in 1658 it was endowed as a school and almshouses.
It seems that 5 of the 8 bays formed the almshouses (not 1 to a bay though, bay lengths differed) and the other 3 the school. Present use little different - 4 flats in 5 bays still for aged parishioners. RCHM 13. Grade I. This building is of exceptional importance, both by its key position at the churchyard entrance, and by the historical continuity of use. <5> - <9>
Guildhall. Scheduled No 92. <10>
May 1975. Field visit.
The 'Guildhall' or 'Yeld'; - name verified. The schoolroom and a small local museum are open to the public. Outstanding. <11>
See also <12> - <15>
Sources
- <1> SEX701 Monograph: RCHME. 1916. An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Essex, Volume I, North-West. Vol 1, p93.
- <2> SEX23056 DESC TEXT: Ministry of Housing and Local Government. 1960. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Braintree. p.40.
- <3> SEX83 Bibliographic reference: Pevsner, N.. 1954. The Buildings of England, Essex. p.181.
- <4> SEX83 Bibliographic reference: Pevsner, N.. 1954. The Buildings of England, Essex. p.165-166.
- <5> SEX4383 DESC TEXT: Department of the Environment. 1985. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Braintree. p.9-10.
- <6> SEX5049 DESC TEXT: Unknown. 1548. E.301-19-13, 20-19.
- <7> SEX5052 DESC TEXT: Unknown. 1549. Calendar of Letters Patent, Edward VI. 1, 295-296.
- <8> SEX5053 DESC TEXT: Charity Commissioners. 1630. Report of Charity Commissioners. p.546-547.
- <9> SEX5054 DESC TEXT: Kempe, R.. 1658. D-DRS-Q1. Will of Sir Robert Kempe.
- <10> SEX75749 LIST: English Heritage. 1987. County list of Scheduled Ancient Monuments: December 1987. p.4.
- <11> SEX75700 PERSONAL OBSERVATION: Ordnance Survey. Field Investigator's Comments. F1 JRL 01-MAY-75.
- <12> SEX57558 Aerial Photograph: Rogers, P.. 1993. 501-11.
- <13> SEX57559 Aerial Photograph: Unknown. unknown. 139-10,11.
- <14> SEX57560 Aerial Photograph: Unknown. 1987. 63-10,11,12.
- <15> SEX56253 Photograph: Essex County Council. 1970-1993. ECC Historic Buildings Photo Print Archive. 2 frames, 6/1984.
Related Events (2)
Other References
- Old SMR Number: TL63-002
- NRHE identifier: 376714
- National Monuments Record: TL 63 SE 17