Display 6 of 19

Previous Image                                                                                                                                           Next Image
The Boothall

SRPrints/GL8.1

Described as 'the Boothall of the community of the town of Gloucester’ this was situated on or near the Gildehalle – it was possibly a separate building within the same block of buildings or, even the same building as the two names were used indiscriminately for well over a century.  By 1349, the Boothall was being used for the sittings of the hundred court and was also acting as the borough’s civic offices.  In addition to its administrative functions, the Gildehalle/Boothall were also used as market halls.  One or both of these buildings also acted as the principal leather market by 1273 and by 1396 wool was also sold there, being weighed on the official weighing beams.  By the 1300s, an inn was part of the buildings, possibly called ‘The Bear’, but later known as ‘The Boothall Inn’.   Around 1532, the Boothall was rebuilt, after which the Borough granted it to private individuals on long leases, although it reserved the use of the main hall and great chamber respectively for the sittings of the hundred court, the city assizes and quarter sessions, and also for the election of the city officers at Michaelmas (and possibly also for the election of the M.P.s).