Tuckers Hall, Exeter, Devon

This is one of those places that aren't open often because, like the Guild hall in Exeter, it's still in use for most of the time. At the time of my visit it was only open during the winter months on thursdays between 10-30 and 12-30. It was well worth making the effort though, as it's absolutely gorgeous inside. It looks interesting from the outside, but the exterior was partly rebuilt in the Victorian age, whereas inside is even more interesting because it still retains features from a much earlier history.

The original hall was a simple affair with a wagon roof and six vertical windows; the land and money having been granted to the Guild of Weavers Fullers and Shearmen in order to build a chapel for religious use and as a meeting place for the Guild in 1471.

Tuckers Hall became more secularised as a meeting hall rather than for religious meetings. Even so, Elizabeth I granted the building to Anthony Kynwelmarsh in 1574. The window below is dated 1575, which may very well have been installed shortly after, although I haven't been able to ascertain the signifigance of the insignia. However, the property was sold back to the guild in 1579. 

The production of  wool cloth was a major Devon industry from Mediaeval times until its gradual decline from the early 18th century onwards, when cotton and cheaper Yorkshire yarns became too competitive. However, until then Exeter was the centre for international trade. This made the city very wealthy - the third richest city in Britain - and was regulated by the Guild, which has been in existence since 1459.

Here in Britain we have a saying 'I'm on tenterhooks', meaning being in a situation of suspense where you're not sure what the outcome is going to be and waiting to find out. This comes from the woollen cloth industry as once the cloth was cleaned it had to be dried on a frame (a tenter), and stretched on hooks to prevent shrinkage. It was therefore on 'tenterhooks', or suspended, with the outcome uncertain until fully dry. This was the job of the fuller - also known as a tucker - hence the name of the hall.

Whilst researching the history the obvious first call was the Tuckers Hall website itself. I was reading through when I realised that information about the guild and its meetings is written in the present tense. Much to my delight I found that the guild is still in existence and that members now comprise Exeter business men and women, and that they still have regular meetings in the hall as well as maintaining it for future generations. Like the Exeter Guildhall, it has a long-standing history that has had continuous use up to today...which I think is fantastic.

The hall on the upper storey is absolutely gorgeous, full of beautifully carved panels, carvings upon the roof trusses, gilded bosses, a very long table surrounded by ornate chairs and many artefacts...as well as the lovely stained glass windows, each distinct with the names of various Guild Wardens and insignia.

The amazing ceiling with gilded bosses, candelabra and crossed pikes decorating the wall.

The panelling was installed in 1630 along with most of the furniture. Below are photos of the magnificent table and chairs. It was actually quite dark in there, even with the lights on, and I was using a temporary camera between the demise of my old faithful one and its later replacement, therefore apologies for the slightly out of focus ones.

The window sills with their beautifully carved side panels, containing many interesting artefacts; below is a small spinning wheel and a jug of the time period.

Writing materials, candlestick and other bits and bobs which I don't recognise.

 Below is a case containing powder kegs.

The ground floor was used as a school between 1675 and 1841. It wasn't officially open but the steward kindly allowed me a look around and the photos below show one of the windows with loom shuttles on the sill.
  

Most of this room is taken up with 'interactive' computer screens. Now, I'm going to have a bit of a rant here, because I personally feel that it's inappropriate to have this sort of thing in such an historic building. It's totally out of place in my opinion. What's the point of visiting somewhere only to look at a screen? It may be a case of trying to be user-friendly to children, but what's wrong with taking children from their usual environment and looking at the world long before there was such a thing? Surely a leaflet with info and links for them to look at later is sufficient. One of the things I love about old places is the fact that it takes you through a door from the modern world to another, earlier time...and it's such a shame when that incredible feeling is denied to our younger generations by bringing the modern world into these buildings.

Okay...rant over. You can relax now, lol! ;)

 
The plaque outside (above left) shows that the Guild was incorporated, having gained a Royal Charter in 1490.

To finish up with, a couple more exterior photos taken on my way out. Well worth a visit, and here's the website address below. Not open to the public at the moment, due to the C-19 virus lockdown, nevertheless it is now every thursday and every first saturday of the month when opening commences.

https://www.tuckershall.org.uk/