{{Short description|Municipal building in Totnes, Devon, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox historic site | name = Totnes Guildhall | image =Totnes Guild Hall.jpg | caption = Guildhall | locmapin =Devon | map_relief = | coordinates ={{coord|50.4321|-3.6879|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | gbgridref = | location = Totnes, Devon | built = 1553 | architect = | architecture = | owner = | designation1 = Grade I | designation1_date = 7 January 1952 | designation1_number = 1235949 }} '''Totnes Guildhall''' is a 16th-century Tudor historic guildhall, magistrate's court, and prison, in the town of Totnes, south Devon, in southwest England. It is a Grade I listed building.<ref name=listed>{{NHLE|desc=The Guildhall, Totnes|num=1235949 |accessdate=31 August 2019}}</ref>
== History == After Totnes was granted a charter by King John enabling the town to makes its own bylaws in 1206,<ref name=aboutbritain>{{cite web|url=http://www.aboutbritain.com/TotnesGuildhall.htm |title=Totnes Guildhall|publisher= AboutBritain.com|accessdate=15 November 2020}}</ref> the merchants of the town secured permission to establish a guild and constructed their original guildhall in the High Street.<ref name=aboutbritain/> The old guildhall became a place for measuring and stamping cloth in the late 16th century and was then rebuilt as a private residence in 1719.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.totnestowncouncil.gov.uk/_UserFiles/Files/_Other/20666-Totnes_Devon_Historic_Market_and_Coastal_Towns_Survey_Report_1.pdf|title=Devon Historic Coastal and Market Towns Survey: Totnes|pages=16, 22|publisher=Totnes Town Council|accessdate=10 August 2020}}</ref>
The current building was originally part of Totnes Priory, which had been established by Juhel de Totnes, feudal baron of Totnes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=027-312m&cid=-1#-1|title=Hole of Parke|publisher=Nationalarchives.gov.uk|accessdate=28 November 2014}}</ref> Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII in the 1540s, his successor, King Edward VI, granted Totnes a charter, in 1553, allowing one of the former priory buildings, which had been used as the monks' refectory, to be converted into a guildhall.<ref>[http://www.dartingtonvillage.co.uk/totnes/totnes-guildhall Totnes Guildhall] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120308013328/http://www.dartingtonvillage.co.uk/totnes/totnes-guildhall |date=8 March 2012 }}, [http://www.dartingtonvillage.co.uk/ Dartington Village], UK.</ref> Part of the first floor of the building was converted for use as a magistrates' court in 1624.<ref name=listed/> Soldiers were billeted in the building during the English Civil War: the council chamber at the west end of the first floor hosted a meeting between Oliver Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax at the oak tables there in 1646.<ref name=whatson/>
The lower hall was used as a public meeting room as evidenced by the names of over 600 town mayors, who have served since 1359, listed on its walls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itraveluk.co.uk/content/282.html|title= Totnes Guildhall|publisher=iTraveluk.co.uk|accessdate=15 November 2020}}</ref> After prison cells had been built in the basement, the building was also used as the town gaol until 1887.<ref name=whatson>[http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=113206 Totnes Guildhall] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722034809/http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=113206 |date=22 July 2011 }}, [http://www.whatsonwhen.com/ Whatsonwhen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821102610/http://www.whatsonwhen.com/# |date=21 August 2008 }}.</ref> The building was extended to the east by the addition of a loggia in front of the original building in 1897: the extension was designed with Doric order columns which had been recovered from the Exchange which had been demolished in 1878.<ref name=listed/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southhams.gov.uk/media/1416/Totnes-High-Street-/pdf/totnes_conservation_area_appraisal_-_high_street.pdf?m=636372867909770000|title=Totnes Conservation Area Appraisal|publisher=South Hams Council|accessdate=10 August 2020}}</ref>
Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the guildhall in July 1962.<ref>[http://search.visitbritain.com/en-EN/Details.aspx?ContentID=134399 Totnes Guildhall] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120714144520/http://search.visitbritain.com/en-EN/Details.aspx?ContentID=134399 |date=14 July 2012 }}, Visit Britain, UK.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-03/Royal%20Trains%20List.pdf|title=Royal Trains List|publisher=Railway Museum|accessdate=10 August 2020}}</ref> The council chamber continued to be used as the meeting place of the borough of Totnes but ceased to be the local seat of government after the formation of South Hams District Council under the Local Government Act 1972;<ref>{{cite book|title=Local Government Act 1972. 1972 c.70|publisher=The Stationery Office Ltd|isbn=0-10-547072-4|year=1997}}</ref> the magistrates' court continued to be used for court hearings until 1974.<ref name=whatson/>
== Current use == The building continues to be used by Totnes Town Council for meetings and other ceremonial events. It is also open to the public during weekdays.<ref>[http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/culturetourism/culture/museums_heritage/guide_to_devon_museums-3/museums_south_hams/totnes_guildhall.htm Totnes Guildhall] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615154634/http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/culturetourism/culture/museums_heritage/guide_to_devon_museums-3/museums_south_hams/totnes_guildhall.htm |date=15 June 2011 }}, Devon County Council, UK.</ref>
== See also == * Guild * Guildhall
== References == {{commonscat}} {{reflist}}
Category:Totnes Category:Prisons in Devon Category:Grade I listed buildings in Devon Category:Historic house museums in Devon Category:Houses in Devon Category:Local museums in Devon Category:City and town halls in Devon Category:Magistrates' courts in England and Wales Category:1553 establishments in England Category:Grade I listed government buildings Category:Court buildings in England Category:Defunct prisons in England Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1553 Category:Government buildings completed in the 16th century