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Great Hall

A visual guide

Did you know?

Did you know that the Great Hall is 153ft long, 85ft high, with 5ft thick walls, and it's been hosting the annual Lord Mayor’s Banquet since 1502? See our visual guide below to find out more about this fascinating space.

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Gog and Magog

London's legendary giants, Gog and Magog, said to have founded London, watch over Great Hall. Replacing the 18th-century versions destroyed in the Blitz, the traditional eagle on Magog's shield has been replaced by a phoenix, symbolising rebirth after fire.

Great Hall MCP MAGOG 2 opt
(David Evans, 1953, limewood and gold leaf)
Great Hall Matt Chung Photo MAGOG

The banners and shields of London's Livery Companies

Central to City life and governance for centuries are the Livery Companies, formally known as Guilds. Their number currently stands at 110, ranked in order of precedence. First ranked is the Worshipful Company of Mercers, dating from at least 1394, whose banner hangs in Great Hall along with the other Great Twelve Liveries; both their mottos and the shields of others adorn the walls.

Great Hall Matt Chung Photo banner detail
Great Hall Matt Chung Photo banners
(Giles Gilbert Scott, 1953, oak)
Great Hall MCP roof and banners

Great Hall roof

Great Hall’s fourth roof, built from 134 oak trees (all of which had to be over 150 years old) and the second largest single span timber roof in England after Westminster Hall.

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Great Hall Matt Chung Photo roof detail 2

FAMOUS TRIALS WALL PANEL

Recalling Great Hall's most significant trials for treason and heresy held between 1548 and 1615, including Lady Jane Grey and Archbishop Cranmer. Guildhall could accommodate the large audiences drawn by the trials, and was close to the Tower of London where the prisoners were usually held.

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Great Hall's stained glass windows feature the names of all 691 past Lord Mayors of London
Window with LM names 2
Guildhall logo

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