Guildhall, 1829

A steel line engraving of the Guildhall, Exeter, by Le Petit after W. H. Bartlett, c. 1829

A guildhall in Exeter has existed since at least the 12th century, but most of the visible structure dates from the 14th century. The interior hall contains an arch-braced timber roof, made from oak, supported by stone corbels depicting different grotesque animals. Pannelling was added to the hall in the 16th century, but was repainted and added to in the 19th century. A decorative inner door can also be seen. Traces of blue, red, cream and gold have been found on the stonework of the exterior front, suggesting it was once more colourful than its present appearance. 

The porch, resting on an arcade of Dartmoor-granite piers, and mayor's parlour above date from 1592-4. 

Over the centuries Exeter's historic guildhall has variously served as a site for meetings and banquets, as an exhibition space, a marketplace, a prison, a magistrates' court, and an archives centre. At the time of this engraving, the Guildhall would have been at the centre of the weekly markets, which were held on the High Street until the 1830s.

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