Great Hall

The width of the Great Hall is ambitious, and the method of spanning the space can be readily seen as the roof timbers are all exposed. The construction was determined by the availability of materials - in this case, of large oak timbers - and the technical knowledge of how to use the materials so that the structure was stable (those that fell down can no longer be seen!). The roof is an unusual combination of two systems - a triangular truss consisting of a bottom tie with a central post and braces and two big curved arches both of which are capable of supporting the pitched rafters and roof covering.

At the west end of the Great Hall lies the Entrance Hall which forms the original screen's passage - one of the very few that exists in the country today - on the further side of which would have been kitchens and service rooms (now the cloakrooms). At the other end of the Hall, under the great window would have originally been a dais where the Master and Officers of the Company would sit.

The width and height of the Great Hall are similar and with a length that is twice that dimension it forms two cubes side by side. The arms over the fireplace are the London Drapers Company Armorial Bearings, painted on wood before 1668, at a time long before the Merchant Taylors of York had its own arms.

The Waits or Minstrels Gallery is one of the real curiousity of the Hall. There are references to its erection in 1649 and it is believed on stylistic evidence that it was replaced with present Gallery around 1725.