Former Guild Hall, 57-61 High Street, Ashwell, Hertfordshire
This building was built in c1500. It was built as the hall of the Guild of St John the Baptist in the Church of Blessed Mary of Ashwell. The guild had formed in 1476. On the 26th of August 1476 a licence was granted to George, Duke of Clarence (brother of King Edward VI) and others, to found 'a fraternity or gild of four wardens and other persons wishing to be of the fraternity, to be called the fraternity or gild of St. John the Baptist within the church of St. Mary Ashwell.' The members, who were to include both brethren and sisters, were to elect their wardens annually, and to act as a corporate body in the acquisition of lands. The building was extended in the late 16th century and altered in the 17th century. The building was then converted into shops and houses in 1985.
