The Exeter Guildhall plays a role in Plague of a Green Man, the second novel in my Lady Apollonia West Country Mystery Series. Lady Apollonia makes a trip to this ancient municipal building in 1380 to visit the mayor. Scholars know that the guildhall has been on its present site since the 14th century, but it is thought it could have been since the 12th century, and possibly earlier. It is called the oldest municipal building in England still in continuous use.
Much of the Guildhall that we see today is newer than 1380, the time of my story. The façade facing the High Street, shown in the picture to the right, is late 16th century. The city council chamber inside dates from the 15th century and was restored in Victorian times. Under the council chamber, however, there is an early 14th century cellar. It was once a prison that was known as the “pytt of the Guyldhall”.
Very early in my story, the Mayor of Exeter visits the Lady Apollonia in her residence, Exeter House. Later in the story, she walks to the Guildhall on the High Street to make a return call upon the mayor. He happily gives her a personal guided tour and proudly shows her some of the improvements which had been made to the building during his administration.
In 2016 the building continues to be used for full meetings of the city council as well as for civic functions, official receptions, mayoral banquets, and exhibitions. Private individuals can book it for weddings or what the English call civil partnership ceremonies.
For more information on the Exeter Guildhall, click on
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter_Guildhall .
To see pictures of the modern interior, the silver gilt mace, and the cap of maintenance, click on
https://exeter.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/our-attractions/exeter-guildhall/