The Guildhall

The Guildhall. . The impressive medieval building standing before you is the only surviving remains of a late 13th century Franciscan Friary that once dominated Priory Park., 1369-1383 - A Franciscan Friary is constructed in Priory Park. Believed to have been the chancel of the friary, it contained the high altar and would only have been used by the resident Greyfriars who remained in Priory Park for over two centuries until the dissolution of monasteries in the 16th Century., 1538 - The friary was closed under the reign of King Henry VIII. With the exception of the chancel, all buildings belonging to the friary were demolished. The site was given to the Mayor of Chichester., 1544 - The City Corporation buys the chancel from the Mayor of Chichester. The building is used as law courts and the Town Hall, or Guildhall. During this time some famous trials were held here including the trial of the Hawkhurst gang of smugglers in 1749 and the trial of the poet and artist William Blake in 1804., 1850 - The building stops being used as a Guildhall and is used by the Sussex Rifle Volunteers as an Armoury and Drill Hall., 1947-The Guildhall becomes Chichester's fest museum site and is used to display historic artefacts for the people of Chichester., 2007-2009 -The Guildhall undergoes a major repairs programme and becomes a hire venue for community events., 2015-The Guildhall is granted a licence to host civil ceremonies.