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 it’s walls. This blog series seeks to shine a spotlight on the Hall’s incredible collections and individuals from its past. This post is looking at a series of banners on display at the Hall.
Part of what makes the Merchant Adventurers' Hall so interesting is how it represents multiple layers of history: a medieval structure blends Tudor and modern extensions, all containing art and artefacts from across the centuries. The banners demonstrate this mixture, celebrating York's long and rich history.
in 1909, the York Pageant was held in the city. It was described as a 'dramatic representation of the city's history in seven episodes from B.C.800 to A.D. 1644'. One episode was set in 1483 and commemorated the arrival of King Richard III in York as part of his royal progress through England after his Coronation. Prominent amongst those welcoming him were the craft guilds and companies.
The 1909 Pageant included 20 reconstructed heraldic banners, which were created by a local artist, Walter Winterton (pictured on the right with his son and the banner of the York Merchant Adventurers Company). These are beautiful examples of heraldic craft guild banners, each painted with the coat of arms that were granted to the guilds at various times in history. Hung around the Great Hall and Undercroft, many of them show the tools or materials used by the trades and crafts while others show emblems associated with royalty or with religious fraternities connected to the guilds.
In amongst the banners are some well known professions, like the Goldsmiths and Glaziers but there are also those that to modern eyes are more obscure such as the Curriers (leatherworkers) and the Cordwainers (goatskin workers). The banners therefore reflect the varied commerce and history of York and in doing so also reflect the complex, fascinating history of the Merchant Adventurers and their Hall.
If you enjoyed reading about this particular Hall highlight, why not come and see the banners in person?