Image Ref : JL 0003.tif

Guildhall

Guildhall interior. The lower chamber was originally the refectory of the Priory of St Mary founded in 1088. The present foundations and some of the walls date back to this time. On 30 June 1553 it became a Guildhall until it was converted into a Magistrate's court in 1624. The Purbeck marble slabs were laid over the priory floor in 1553. The oaken shield placed on the wall of the Guildhall (seen here over the fireplace) recording the names of the Totnes soldiers given the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Totnes in 1901 on their return from the Boer War. The Boards with the names of Mayors dating back to 1359 were made in 1930. The oak planks being cut from a bean installed in 1600 to support the front of a bulding in the butterwalk. The oak is over 800 years old. DP2