Hall Highlights: The Loving Cup Ceremony
Within the silver collection of the Merchant Adventurers' Hall are a number of large silver cups which are known as 'Loving Cups'. These are used yearly at the Merchant Adventurers' Venison Feast within a ceremony which is a symbol of friendship and fraternity....
Bradshaws at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
* Due to York's current Tier 2 designation as part of the Covid-19 guidelines, households can no longer mix indoors so unfortunately November's dates have been postponed until February 2021. At this time, Bradshaws are still taking bookings for dates in December but...
Hall Highlights: Stained Glass
For this blog post we are looking the stained glass windows which can be found in the Undercroft, Chapel and the Governor's Parlour of the Merchant Adventurers' Hall. The Hall has a small but beautiful collection of stained glass windows dating from the last 150...
Hall Highlights: Female Merchants
It is perhaps a surprise to many to find out that women have played an active role in The Company of Merchant Adventurers since its foundation in 1357. There are three in particular who lived remarkable lives and feature in the extensive archive of the Guild. Marion...
Hall Highlights: Going underground…the history of the Undercroft
For this blog post we are looking at the Undercroft...a space very different from the grand surroundings of the Great Hall. This space was never designed to be used by the merchants but for the sick and poorer member of York's society, many of which had fallen on hard...
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall…this is your life (Part Two)
When you're over 660 years old you've witnessed quite a bit of history. So here below is the second part of our list of some of the important dates in the Merchant Adventurers' Hall history. As well as a few choice snippets from further afield... 1626 St...
Merchant Adventurers Hall….this is your life! (Part One)
When you're over 660 years old you've witnessed quite a bit of history. So here below is a list of some of the important dates in the Merchant Adventurers history. As well as a few choice snippets from further afield... 1357 Construction begins on the...
Hall Highlights: The Banners
The Merchant Adventurers' Hall has accumulated many treasures over the centuries: art, artefacts, architecture and the stories of those who have passed through its walls. This series seeks to shine a spotlight on the Hall's incredible collections. Part of what makes...
A Medieval mystery: The Percys or Percehays?
In 1356 Sir William Percy granted a plot of land - a former Norman manorial site by the River Foss, and the future location of the Merchant Adventurers' Hall - to three merchants from York...or did he? In this new, thoroughly researched book, David Brewer challenges...
Hall Highlights: Dr Maud Sellers
The Merchant Adventurers' Hall has accumulated many treasures over the centuries: art, artefacts, architecture and the stories of those who have passed through it's walls. This blog series seeks to shine a spotlight on the Hall's incredible collections and individuals...
Hall Highlights: The Pancake Bell
The Merchant Adventurers' Hall has accumulated many treasures over the centuries: art, artefacts, architecture and the stories of those who have passed through it's walls. This blog series seeks to shine a spotlight on some of the Hall's incredible collections In...
Blog: An unwanted Christmas present – The 2015 Boxing Day floods
On Boxing Day 2015, the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in York flooded – its proximity to the River Foss leading to the 14th Century Guildhall to be deluged with over a metre of water. This is the story of the flood and the Hall’s recovery. The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall...
