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This view shows the west wing on the left, the great hall in the centre By Turboyogi –

10 Remarkable Facts about Gainsborough Old Hall

The United Kingdoms’ best preserved medieval building sits in Lincolnshire. The Old Hall was built by Sir Thomas Burgh in 1460. The Burghs were rich, flamboyant, and powerful.

Gainsborough Old Hall has shown up in British history for its connections to the Tudors and the separatist movement. The beautiful manor has a great connection to the town it’s named after and is one of the town’s favorite tourist destinations. So how much is known of this rich historical landmark? Here are 10 remarkable facts about Gainsborough’s old hall.

1. It Is One Of Britain鈥檚 Best Preserved And Biggest Medieval Manors

Gainsborough Old Hall is a medieval manor house in Lincolnshire. This surviving structure having been built by Sir Thomas Burgh II in the late 15th century. The hall was the seat of the Burghs from 1430 until 1596.  The hall has had rich history ever since construction was completed.

Gainsborough Old Hall has served many different purposes over the centuries. Throughout it has been intimately connected to the town of Gainsborough. Today it stands as the best-preserved and among the largest medieval manors across the united kingdom. 

2. Built as a statement of wealth

After inheriting the house from his mother, Thomas Burgh set out to renovate and rebuild the house into the manor he envisioned. He ambitiously transformed the house into an architectural dream to reflect his status and stature in society. Thomas was able to achieve this vision as many lords and kings visited his home.

Today it is regularly described as the  鈥渉idden gem in Lincolnshire鈥� as it offers a variety of events and exhibitions and rich history. It is currently owned by English Heritage the Hall is operated by Lincolnshire County Council.

3. Henry VII visited Gainsborough twice

Gainsborough Hall By Asterion –

Thomas Burgh, who inherited the Hall from his mother made great connections with four kings when he worked in service of them. He became close and maintained a trusted relationship with first Edward IV and Henry VII. In 1487 Thomas was made 1st Lord Burgh by Henry VII. This newfound status placed the Burgh name firmly on the national stage.

After Thomas’s passing, King Henry VIII visited Gainsborough twice once in 1509, and in 1541 with his fifth wife Queen Catherine Howard. The Queen was accused of indiscretions at Gainsborough and Lincoln, leading to her execution. Catherine Parr, the widow of Edward Burgh became Henry’s sixth wife.

4. It was sold to a merchant

The hall belonged to the Burghs from 1430 up until 1596. They then sold the Old Hall to a merchant in the Hickman family, who resided there until around 1730. Over the following two centuries, the building was leased for various purposes.

It was a fascinating mix of residential use, workshops, businesses, a theatre space, and civic institutions. All through its different ownerships, the Old Hall was fairly well preserved and maintained.

5. The separatist movement hosted meetings here

The Church of England was the established Christian church of the state, set up by King Henry VIII following his battles with the previously established Church in Rome. Some of the Separatists are thought to have worshipped clandestinely at Gainsborough Old Hall during William Hickmans ownership. 

John Smyth enjoyed the freedom to preach in his style at the Old Hall. He was put under the protection of the new lord of the manor William Hickman who wasn’t worried about public opinion or harassment by the bishop.

6.  The stone tower offers stunning views of the town

Gainsborough Old Hall By John Spooner –

The projecting tower in the northeast corner was built slightly later than the adjacent range. The gorgeous stone tower shows stunning views of Gainsborough town below. Sunsets are especially a spectacular site to see. 

7.  It has medieval features throughout the house

Great hall at Gainsborough Old Hall By Mball93 –

The entrance of the Old Hall boasts Tudor arched doorways in the red-brick, sixteenth-century east range. The inner walls of the Hall in the open areas show the original timber frame construction. Furthermore, there are significant traces of the original wall painting. The wooden beams, the architecture, and the height of the building are gorgeous.

The vast kitchens, the pantry, the tables for food preparation, and the two servers all present medieval architecture. All the other rooms, the upper great chamber, the Tudor bedchamber, and paneled the room was decorated with medieval d茅cor. The tea room/ caf茅 has gorgeous painted walls dating back to the early 17th century.

8. Gainsborough took 20 years to be built

The development of the house over about 20 years. This was from the early 1460s to the late 1470s. During that period, successive ranges of houses were built.

The east range was the first part of the old hall house to be constructed, this contained the family鈥檚 privy chambers. The current great hall followed soon after and finally, the guest lodgings were constructed in the west range.

9. A place for Preaching And Performance

While the Gainsborough took on a multi-occupancy, multi-functional role, the great hall continued to be a place of gathering, occasions, and performance. John Wesley, an Anglican clergyman preached in the chamber and the yard of the old hall.

This happened on several occasions through to the 1780s. He recorded his first visit in 1759 in Sir Neville Hickman鈥檚 Great Hall. The old hall continued to host such events through into the 1800s.

10. It was leased as a new theatre for the town.

Gainsborough Old Hall By Mball93 –

In 1790, the great hall was leased as a new theatre for the town. Extensive changes were made to the medieval space, with a stage erected where the dais had been. The walls were lined with brightly painted theatre boxes and a gallery was constructed at the west end.

Once the changes and renovations were completed,  the theater was opened. The range of performances included dramatic productions, musical entertainments, lectures, and public ceremonies. In addition to its history as a theater, this old hall has also doubled up as a masonic temple, pub, and soup kitchen. The hall鈥檚 kitchen is recognized as one of the largest and most complete kitchens of its time to survive in England.

There you have it, 10 remarkable facts about this historical admirable landmark, the Gainsborough Old Hall.