Behind the locked door!

A door which is rarely unlocked at the historic Guildhall in Register Square in Beverley, North Yorkshire.

The Magistrates’ Room

This room, built at the same time as the lower Courtroom in 1762, was originally the Council Chamber. The
old furniture is made of oak and was part of the original council furniture dated 1604. The Mayor,
Deputy Mayor and Clerk of the Chamber would occupy the three-seated bench situated under the
windows, and the large table is thought to have been used to keep all the rents and monies received by
the Governors. The other benches would have accommodated some of the Governors at their
meetings. The pewter displayed in the wall cabinets is part
of a dinner service made in London c.1725, and was used
whenever the Mayor entertained. It was traditional for the
Mayor to give a dinner for the other Governors twice a
year, and they were also expected to entertain the
Archbishop and the High Court Judges whenever they
came to Beverley.
This door leads directly off the Magistrates room to a staircase for their private use only.