Norwich Guildhall, Medieval civic hall in Norwich, England
Norwich Guildhall is a medieval civic building with a distinctive checkered pattern of flint and stone across its exterior walls. Inside, multiple chambers and spaces once served administrative and judicial functions for the city.
The building was constructed between 1407 and 1413 following a royal charter from King Henry IV, and served as Norwich's administrative center until a new City Hall replaced its functions in 1938. This long period of use demonstrates how central it was to the city's operations.
The Great Chamber served as the center of Norwich's governance and justice system, where judges and citizens conducted their daily civic affairs. You can still see the marks of this usage in the preserved rooms today.
Visitors can explore the building across multiple levels and view various exhibition spaces. Guided tours highlight the former prison cells, council chambers, and courtroom areas with their original fittings.
Beneath the Guildhall lies an undercroft that once functioned as a dungeon, holding Thomas Bilney before his execution in 1531. This hidden history connects the building to a pivotal moment in England's Reformation.
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