Medieval Corn Market and Guildhall

The Corn Market 

The medieval Corn Market (later renamed Cattle Market) was on the western side of the walled town. It was probably first laid out during the late 13th century. The Carmelite friary (Whitefriars) founded around 1268, was immediately south of the market. The hospital of St John was founded during the 1280s further to the north-west and the hospital of St Thomas was established in 1392, further to the east. 

The Corn Market played an important part in the workings of the medieval town. Grain and cattle were regularly traded here, and for centuries it was one of the busiest markets in east Kent. A market cross once stood at its centre. This probably began as a simple cross but by the early 16th century it had become a more elaborate, roofed structure. The town stocks and the pillory were also here by the 16th century. 

The Guildhall 

In 1301, the court was held in St Peter’s Church, probably in the North aisle. However, by 1432 it had moved to a purpose-built court hall in St Peter’s Churchyard. To replace this, a new administrative centre or Court Hall was built in the middle of the Corn Market during 1577-9. This building is still at the core of the present-day Guildhall. It has been added to over the years, with a major new extension built in 1973. The 20th-century addition was carefully designed to be in keeping with the appearance of the earlier building. It includes a large first-floor meeting hall, which ensures that the Guildhall continues to be at the centre of modern town life. 

The Guildhall contains many relics of Sandwich’s illustrious past. The Mayor’s Parlour and the Council Chamber have many fine paintings and other.  

The Coat of Arms of Charles II appears above the Mayor’s Chair. The chair, in the Council Chamber, features carved, decorative armrests dating from 1561-2. The 12th-century moot-horn was used to bring the townspeople together and, during the time of the French raids, was used to sound the alarm. 

The official mace of the corporation of Sandwich, the Hog Mace, and the staff belonging to the Beadle (the Master of Ceremonies) are also preserved. The Guildhall has two silver-gilt maces dating from 1435 and another from 1763, together with a portion of the canopy carried by the Cinque Ports Barons at the coronation of George III in 1761. Guided tours of the Guildhall are available by appointment. 

The Guildhall Museum 

The town museum (free admission) is also housed in the Guildhall. It tells the rich and varied story of Sandwich through the ages, from its early beginnings to the present day. Locally discovered artefacts dating from medieval, Roman and prehistoric times are on display, together with items from the town’s more recent past. 

One of the museum’s greatest treasures is the Sandwich Magna Carta together with its sister document, the Charter of the Forest, dated to 1300 AD.  The Charter of the Forest gave ordinary people a number of rights, including the right for their pigs to eat acorns (pannage) and the right to collect wood and fallen branches for firewood. Here is a very rare opportunity to view two of the most celebrated documents in history