TOWN HALLS.
I have to thank two of your correspondents for their Notes in answer to my Query respecting mediæval towns built on a regular plan in England. They have reminded me of Hull and Wokingham, with both which places I was previously acquainted; neither of them is by any means of the same regular and perfect plan as the English towns in France, but they approximate to it in some degree; and I am not the less obliged for being reminded of them. My success in this instance encourages me to trouble you with another Query. Can any of your correspondents furnish me with information respecting any mediæval town halls remaining in England? I am acquainted with several, but believe there are many more than is commonly supposed. Some of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries are mentioned in Mr. Turner's work on Domestic Architecture, as the County Hall at Oakham; the Guildhall at Lincoln; the King's Hall at Winchester. In addition to these, the Guildhall at Exeter is partly of the thirteenth century, and partly of the fifteenth. The old Town Hall at Colchester of the twelfth has, I believe, been destroyed within these few years. The Town Hall at Winchelsea is of the time of Edward I., though mutilated. The Town Hall at Aldborough is of the fifteenth century, or earlier. The hall of St. Mary's Guild at Coventry is a well-known and beautiful example. The Town Hall of Weobly in Herefordshire is, if I remember rightly, an early example of timber work. These are a few instances which occur to my memory. I have no doubt there are many others; and, as the subject is one of considerable interest, perhaps you will not object to assist me in collecting information upon it. You will observe that I include under the general name of Town Halls all public halls, whether called by that name or by any other. I am aware that they do not all belong to the same class, strictly speaking; but I should be glad to know of other examples of any of them.
J. H. PARKER.
Oxford.