Merchant Taylor’s Hall

Guild life can trace its roots back to Saxon times, with the formation of the frith-guilds – peace-guilds – brotherhoods formed for religious and social purposes and for mutual support and protection. At the peak of guild control there were 96 craft guilds in York in 1415. By the late 16th century, guild numbers dropped as specialisation in crafts was ending and some mergers occurred. In York, guilds eventually withered and nearly all passed away except for two with property. These, The Merchant Adventurers and The Merchant Taylors, converted into social and charitable institutions. A third, the Butchers Guild struggled on into the 20th century, with just a single member by 1940.

Taylors are first mentioned in the York Freemen’s rolls in 1273. At its height the guild enjoyed 130 members. The hall dates from the 15^th century.