Tessera

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall

@merchantshallyork.org

Discover one of the finest medieval guildhalls in the world. Home to York’s entrepreneurs for 660 years and counting. merchantshallyork.org

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 4h ago

It started off with the cat bringing in birds but now it’s got completely out of hand…

We are looking at a close up of a medieval manuscript showing a large cat like monster beast with its mouth wide open - coming out of its flaming mouth are beatddd men and one woman, they are all naked. In the monsters ear is a little beast.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 10h ago

Possibly our favourite minute of a meeting ever taken: On the 19th September 1739 the following caught our eye: The Merchant Adventurers paid 2s 6d for "washing the Hall after Mr Peary had showed Lyons". Yes you've read that right. Lions! In the Hall! 🦁💩

We are looking at the ground floor entrance to the Tudor extension. It shows an ornately carved door surround with a lions head mounted above an ionic column on either side of the door.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 13h ago

We are going to be magnanimous and say this is also a Great Hall. It's not as old though. Just saying. 😉

Rosemary Griggs@ragriggsauthor.bsky.social · 17h ago

Naturally curved timbers in the magnificent 15th century oak roof in the Great Hall at Gainsborough Old Hall. Richard III visited in 1484, Katherine Parr lived here with 1st husband, Henry VIII and Katherine Howard dined here in 1541. #woodensday

Andy Marshall @fotofacade.bsky.social · 2d ago

At York Merchant Adventurer's Hall C14th timbered hall the joy of craft has been caught within Medusa’s gaze. This place is not merely a building, but also the medieval artisan’s woody memoranda embedded within the street. A must see.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2d ago

We interrupt your morning ablutions with this important update: IT’S RAINING! We’ll be right back after we’ve had a run around in it. 🤪☔️

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2d ago

What would be unusual to find in a medieval guild hall in York? Dolly Parton you say. Yes that would be unusual. We were thinking about this child's high chair from 1642, made in the first year of the English Civil War. Also unusual. Yes it's not Dolly Parton. Sorry.

We are looking at an oak child’s High Chair. Raised on guilloche carved square legs tied by bracing rails and a foot rest, the low back of trapezoid shape panelled and moulded in diamond bolection, headed by a peaked crest rail with moulded and carved lower border and inscribed above with the date “1642” and initials “F.M.” between three rosettes. The separate restraining bar is later and made of rosewood.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 5d ago

'Nah then! 'Tis Yorkshire Day! In celebration of God's own county we are sharing a reyt good photo of God's own medieval guild hall. Tha' be welcome!

We are looking at the Great Hall - a large room with a vast oak framed roof. It is divided in two by a row of oak posts. It is a light and airy space despite its size. The centuries old oak glow a warm brown in the afternoon sunshine. The pine floor undulates in different directions.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 5d ago

Just look at our chapel on a sunny summer day. Glorious. ❤️

We are looking at the chapel on a sunny day. The sun is streaming through the five stained glass windows hitting the 17th century teal coloured box pew. It is also highlighting the oak altar rail and casting shadows on the tiled floor.

Joumana Medlej @majnouna.com · 6d ago

That day when I was looking through a 14th-century romance. First impression: That's not a very good stag, is it... Closer look: OMG LOOOOOL #medievalmanuscripts

Bottom half of a manuscript page where we can see a drum player and an odd-looking stag.

A close-up on the stag reveals that it's a man-made costume: the two hind legs are human feet, the fore legs are a cane or crutch, and a human face can be seen peering out through the fur of the chest

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 7d ago

We've just realised that this silver alms dish looks like the Eye of Sauron.

We are looking at a silver oval dish having pointed ends, the shape of which is derived from the company’s seal depicting the coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The gilt sunken centre being etched with seven differing kinds of waves to depict merchants across the sea. The centre is a small plain oval. The dish is hammered finished 985 Britannia standard silver. The wide flange border being plain, one end being engraved with the new Coat of Arms, crest motto and mantelling of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York the other with a script engraved inscription: “The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York Anno Domini 2000”

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · last wk.

Now that we no longer have our BFF's @romanpalace.bsky.social we have decided to get back out there. Apparently this is "not how hinge works"? 🤷

We are looking at a close up of an oak cupboard with an iron hinge. It looks to be rather old and a bit beaten up.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · last wk.

Everyone meet Henry Thompson and Michael Barstow. Harry and Mike (as no one ever called them) were Merchant Adventurers in the mid 17th century. Late last year they had a little clean and it gave us an opportunity to find out a bit about these gentlemen...

This is a head and shoulders portrait of Sir Henry Thomson of Middlethorpe, knight, wine-merchant and alderman of York. He is facing forward, with his body turned slightly to the right. In his left hand he holds a slim clasped volume bound in green leather with his index finger keeping a place. He wears a full grey wig, a large lace cravat and lace cuffs tied with black ribbon. Visible between the fur edging of his red gown (as worn by Governors and aldermen) is the Lord Mayor of York’s chain of office. On the little finger of his left hand he wears a ring with a stone or cameo. The inscription on the painted panel below the portrait reads: “Henry Thomson Knight Alderman and present Governor of this society did give fifty pounds for ye preaching of ye Sermons forever 1669”.

This is a head and shoulders portrait of Michael Barstow, mercer (later merchant adventurer) and benefactor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers. He is facing front, his body turned slightly to the right, his left arm resting on a ledge with a book in his left hand. He wears a black skull cap, and a white collar of Puritan design. The broad cuffs of his brown coat can be seen through his black gown. The inscription below the portrait reads: “Michael Barstow of the city of York Gent. sometime Warden of the Company of Merchants there, did give and pay unto the Poor widows in their Hospital, Some years before his death, 102: at every quarter Court, and did so settle it to be paid for ever: An 1696”.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · last wk.

Is it getting too much? Is touching grass not enough? Go further... Touch the oak posts. Touch the pine floorboards. Touch the plastered walls. Don't touch the staff though, not without consent.

We are looking at a section of the Great Hall showing the central oak posts which hold up the roof - known as a double nave as it looks like the Hull of an upturned ship.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · last wk.

What to do when you've led an "obscure, undistinguished and uninteresting life"? Get yourself a blingy silver tankard with your Coat of Arms on it. That's what William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Stafford did in 1677. The thing is, as we'll show, Will's life wasn't that dull...

We are looking at a large silver tankard of plain tapering cylindrical form, the centre engraving with the Arms of William Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, with scrolling feather mantling, the underside scratch initialled T*B, hinged raised cover engraved with a crest and inscribed on the inside ‘Earl Strafford 1677’, scroll thumb piece and handle.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · last wk.

Does any one remember what it was like to wear something with sleeves? We say that but at least in this hot weather we do not have to wear a velvet jacket and wig combo - however super sexy you might look in it.

We are looking at a oil painting of William Garforth. He is a large man with a double chin who is wearing a red velvet jacket with matching buttons. It is open so that the viewer can see the long white silk neck tie he is wearing. He has on a wig of epic proportions - it is long, grey with a curl and a central parting, it is quite flat on the top.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · last wk.

Customer: so you have seen an elephant? Artist: oh loads of times. Not a problem.

We are looking at a drawing from a manuscript. It shows a beast which sort of looks like an elephant but not really - it has a trunk, tusks and a very large eye. It is standing on the tail of a green dragon like creature.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2w ago

One of our favourite spots in the Hall when it’s a sunny day. The shadow patterns created by sunlight streaming through the East window. 💛

We are looking at a close up of the Chapel’s East window. Sunlight is streaming through creating geometric patterns on the surrounding stone window frames.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2w ago

One of our favourite spots in the Hall when it’s a sunny day. The shadow patterns created by sunlight streaming through the East window. 💛

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2w ago

Medieval ironwork appreciation post. Swit. Swoo.

We are looking at a close up of a large oak and iron bound chest known as the Evidence Chest. The close up shows one end of the chest with its cross iron bands held in place by metal rivets/nails. There is also a handle made of a large iron ring secured on to a iron fastening with two loops - one into the ring and the other secured to the chest,

We are looking at a close up of the oak and iron bound evidence chest showing an iron hasp. You can also see the patina of the top of the oak chest and some of the iron straps.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2w ago

So…do you like…come here often?

We are looking at a section of an illuminated manuscript showing a Queen sat in a clearing amongst the forest. She is wearing a long pink dress and has her hair in Princess Leia type buns on her head. She is holding a large gold chalice-goblet. So far so normal. Next to her is a red goblin monster thing with 6 small heads (which are all very smiley by the way) and then one large head with spiky tendrils. The monster looks like they’ve had a few. The Queen is giving some excellent side eye to the monster.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2w ago

So as you know the Hall is quite old. However not everything in it is 668 years old. Join us as we highlight (literally) and look a little closer at some of the additions made over the last seven centuries. 🧵

We are looking at the exterior of the Hall - a section of framing with vertical oak studding and yellow ochre plaster. It is broken up by four sash windows.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2w ago

In our continuing series of things that are wonky in the Hall, may we present this wall. This particular slice of wonk is in the Hall’s office dating to 1601. We’d show you more but a photocopier really does destroy the mystique.

We are looking at a section of timber frame and studding with some delicious overstuffed infill. In the middle is a small shield with the coat of arms of the merchant adventurers on it.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2w ago

Ghostly goings on at the Merchant Adventurers' Hall. Just now a loud knock on the ground floor door, we go to open it...no one there! 😱 👻

We are looking at a black and white photo of the Tudor entrance to the Hall. The stairs are all wonky and worn and one door to the first floor is open - you can just make out a window in the Great Hall in the gloom. There is also one door open on the ground floor but this opens into complete darkness.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 2w ago

We do love summer: the nights are light and there is no city as pretty (ooh that rhymes) as York on an evening. One of the pictures in our collection captures a twilight scene in King's Square heading towards the Shambles. Unusually it looks to be a quiet scene...let's take a closer look.

We are looking at a watercolour of a view looking towards the Shambles from King’s Square in York. It is an evening view with two female figures facing each other, the one looking towards us holds a child’s hand. In the background is a jettied building and next to it a three story building which also appears to be jettied but with newer sash windows. There is also a male figure holding a child’s hand walking away towards the Shambles – York’s most famous street.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 3w ago

It’s Friday night and we has drip. 💋

We are looking at a black and white photo the Hall looking all sophisticated and sexy…or as much as a medieval guild hall can be. It is one end of the Great Hall with its timber frame, Tudor panelling and a row of paintings, one of which is Queen Henrietta Maria. In the foreground is a rectangular oak table with chairs around it.

Barnsley Museums @barnsleymuseums.bsky.social · 3w ago

Today is World Emoji Day. You know the drill by now: Reply with an emoji and we'll try and find something from our collections. #WorldEmojiDay

Colourful World Emoji Day graphic with a calendar showing July 17, surrounded by various emoji faces and icons, including smiley, heart eyes, kiss, angry face, and a thumbs up. Text reads "World Emoji Day" and "Emoji Day.

Dunblane Museum @dunblanemuseum.bsky.social · 3w ago

Today is #WorldEmojiDay 📅 (based on the way the calendar emoji is shown on most digital platforms) - a global celebration of the emoji characters so here's a picture of Dunblane Museum made entirely of emoji characters - just zoom in 🔍 to see them all #WorldEmojiDay2026

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 3w ago

Look if I want to eat a pasty in the nude whilst wearing a beret in the middle of the river surrounded by other nude people, I think that’s my choice.

We are looking at a scene from a medieval manuscript showing a red headed Venus standing in a choppy river. She is naked apart from a red hat that looks like a beret. In her hand is a conch shell but really really looks like a Greggs pasty - knowing Venus it’ll be a cheese and bean one. She is surrounded by other naked women who are all looking away from Venus, probably in disgust at her pasty choice. On the river bank is a man with large feathery wings studiously not looking at the naked pasty eating but is concentrating on firing an arrow at a non existent target.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 3w ago

After 668 years the Hall is used to sporting disappointment. We still remember the Shrove Tuesday football match of 1673. What happened you ask? Well, the Dean and Chapter prohibited the apprentices of York playing football in the Nave of the Minster so a riot took place outside.

We are looking at a print of the South Transept of York Minster showing the entrance to the Minster or ‘Arm of the Cross’ of the Minster, dedicated to St Peter. There are smaller buildings on either side of the entrance which were cleared away in the 19th century.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 3w ago

We endorse this message but not the cream then jam combo (yes we understand it would be Denmark if it was the other way round).

National Trust@nationaltrust.org.uk · 3w ago

Wishing the England men's football team all the best for their game this evening. We've got our match snacks at the ready.