Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

ANCIENT AND
representations, with many grotesque figures and singular
beads. The hall is lighted with pointed windows, at each
end and at both sides ; many of which contain fine speci
mens of stained glass. The Guild Hall was erected in the
year 1446, by the mayor and commonalty, and the master
and brethren of the guild of St. Christopher, to which,
subsequently, the guild of St. George was added. On
the dissolution of these religious fraternities, King Edward
VI. granted all their messuages, tenements, &c., in the
city of York, to the mayor and commonalty for ever. The
inner room to which we have referred, was wainscotted
at the expense of Sir John Hewley, in 1679; and here are
kept muskets for four companies of seventy men, in case
of an emergency.
This building, which was erected a.d. 1725, as a resi
dence for the Lord Mayors, stands on the site of the
ancient chapel of the guild of St. Christopher, in St.
Helen's-square, and is a handsome Ionic structure. The
state room is forty-nine feet six inches long, and twentyseven
feet nine inches wide. This room is wainscotted,
and is entered by folding doors, above which there is an
orchestra. Over the fire places at each end of this
chamber, are emblazoned the royal arms, and the arms
of the city ; and on the walls are full length portraits (each
in a splendid frame, measuring nine feet by five feet eight
inches,) of George IV., when Prince of Wales, William
III., George II., the marquis of Rockingham, Sir William
Milner, bart., the duke of Richmond, and Lord Dundas.
There is now no salary whatever allowed to the Lord
Mayor of York; and the hospitalities of the Mansion
House are maintained at his own expense.
This spacious and handsome house, situated in Lendal,
was erected in 1806, at the expense of the county, on the