Guildhall

By Yusra Bourara

Guildhall is a building located in the city of London that has been used as a town hall for many years and still serves as the administrative centre for the city of London. It is located off the streets of Basinghall and Gresham. The name “Guildhall” refers to the whole building along with its main room, also known as the medieval great hall.

De Saussure describes Guildhall as a “spacious edifice built in antique fashion, the exterior being in no way remarkable” (p. 78). In the large entrance ball of the building, there is a life-sized portrait of William III and his wife Queen Mary. The two of them ran England, Ireland, and Scotland from 1689 until William’s death. Along with him and his wife, there are also portraits of the Lord Chancellors and judges of the kingdom. Furthermore, in Guildhall the Lord Mayor’s banquets are held.

Guildhalls are usually used by guilds for meetings and other purposes, including voting and making essential decisions. To this day, Guildhall and the interiors adjacent to it are still used for official functions, and are also open during the annual London Open House to the public. Day-to-day administration are taken care of from other buildings near Guildhall.

Sources:
César de Saussure. A Foreign View of England in the Reigns of George I and George II. Translated and edited by Madame van Muyden. London: J. Murray, 1902.
Wikipedia