Guildhalls

NOTES: The Guildhall dates back to the 15th century, built by the master mason John Croxton from 1411-c. 1429. It was restored in 1864-1868 and re-roofed 1953-1954 by Giles Gilbert Scott. The two-storey porch of 1425-1430, survived the Great Fire, was added to in 1671, but its lower storey was incorporated into a new porch designed by George Dance the Younger in 1788-1789. On the western side is Dance's plain office range of 1787-1791, which was demolished and replaced by a seven-storey block by Richard Gilbert Scott in 1969-1975, as part of the new precinct. To the right is the Irish Chamber, built 1824-1825 by Joseph Walker, which was retained.

NOTES: The design of this building has been attributed to Thomas White, a pupil of Christopher Wren.

NOTES: The Grammar School was originally the guildhall of the Gild of the Holy Cross, the ruling body of Stratford to the time of the Dissolution. The ground floor was the guildhall proper while the Over Hall became the town's school room. King Edward VI, having suppressed the Gild, entrusted the guild's school to the town corporation in 1553 after which it was known as Edward VI Grammar School. It is generally believed that William Shakespeare was educated in this room.

NOTES: The Romanesque Koornstapelhuis dates from c. 1200, the oldest house on Graslei, and was originally a public warehouse for storing grain. The Tolhuisje, originally a customs house, dates from 1682. The Baroque Gildhuis der Graanmeters was built for the Guildhouse of Grain Weighers in 1698.

NOTES: The Tolhuisje, originally a customs house, dates from 1682. The Baroque Gildhuis der Graanmeters was built for the Guildhouse of Grain Weighers in 1698. The late Gothic Gildehuis der Vrije Schippers was built between 1500 and 1531 by C. van den Berghe.

NOTES: This was the Town Hall until replaced by City Hall in 1938. It thereafter served as the Magistrates Court and latterly as the Tourist Information Office.

NOTES: Parts of this building date from 1160 but the four supporting granite columns were added in 1593.

NOTES: The Romanesque Koornstapelhuis dates from c. 1200, the oldest house on Graslei, and was originally a public warehouse for storing grain. The Tolhuisje, originally a customs house, dates from 1682. The Baroque Gildhuis der Graanmeters was built for the Guildhouse of Grain Weighers in 1698. The late Gothic Gildehuis der Vrije Schippers was built between 1500 and 1531 by C. van den Berghe.