Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
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merchantshallyork.org
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
@merchantshallyork.org
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Discover one of the finest medieval guildhalls in the world. Home to York’s entrepreneurs for 660 years and counting.

Website: merchantshallyork.org
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merchantshallyork.org
The market starts on Friday 20th and runs through to Sunday 22nd February.

It is open on Friday and Saturday from 10.00am to 4.30pm and on Sunday from 10.00am to 2.00pm

More details including admission charges can be found here: www.merchantshallyork.org/10th-century...
We are looking at the Great Hall - a large room with a vast oak roof. The Hall is full of people looking at Viking themed wares.
February 18, 2026 at 9:24 AM
merchantshallyork.org
⚔️Exciting Viking themed news alert! ⚔️

From Friday we will throwing off our medieval robes and donning a striking beard.

Yes the 10th century traders market as part of the JORVIK Viking Festival returns this weekend with merchants selling Viking themed goods from across the world.
We are looking at a montage of Viking themed goods including ceramic drinking vessels, leather shoes, animal skins and bows and arrows.
February 18, 2026 at 9:20 AM
merchantshallyork.org
Would you like to look at the banner of the Grocers?

Those are cloves. Nothing else.
We are looking at a painted canvas banner with a white/silver background and a red chevron through the centre. Above and below are several slight phallic shapes which are infact cloves.
February 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM
merchantshallyork.org
It's #mosaicmonday so here's a Pegasus (just like the ones on our Coat of Arms).

Before you all come running to see this amazing 2nd century mosaic in an equally amazing medieval guild hall, it's actually on display at the Archaeological Museum of Córdoba, Spain. Just thought we should clarify.
We are looking at a mosaic of a winged horse prancing on grass. On either side is a barley twist pattern in black, red and white.
February 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM
merchantshallyork.org
For those not familiar with the daffodils of York we will have carpets of them in the coming weeks.

They can be found on the motte of Clifford’s Tower and on the banks of the city walls.

We even have some at the Hall!
We are looking at a swathe of daffodils on the grassy banks of one section of York’s stone city walls. We are looking at a close up of a steep section of bank covered in yellow daffodils, behind is the stone city walls. We are looking at the Hall’s gardens - in the foreground is a holly bush and yellow daffodils. In the background is a stone million window frame in front of which is a wooden garden bench.
February 15, 2026 at 2:59 PM
merchantshallyork.org
Oh look at that, it’s raining again.

Let’s look at some early daffodils on York’s walls instead.
We are looking at a section of stone wall down from which is a grassy green slope with some hardy daffodils bobbing their heads in the February sunshine.
February 15, 2026 at 8:23 AM
merchantshallyork.org
Who did Catherine choose? Why her devoted husband of course! John Stowe - eminent silk mercer of York and they lived happily ever after. ❤️

John Stowe by Christopher Steele, c1760
We are looking at an oil painting of an older jolly looking man wearing a grey silk jacket and waistcoat with a white necktie. He is wearing a white-grey wig.
February 14, 2026 at 4:14 PM
merchantshallyork.org
Contestant Number Three here - Lord Mayor by title, master of a grand estate just outside York. I govern by day, host splendid dinners by night, and never let the wig outshine the charm.

Henry Thompson by unknown artist, 1699
We are looking at an oil portrait of a young man wearing a long curly brown wig. He is also wearing a red robe trimmed with fur, he has a lacy cravat.
February 14, 2026 at 4:12 PM
merchantshallyork.org
Contestant Number Two - 19th century, stern of brow, soft of crumb. I'm a baker by trade, rise before dawn, and knead with intensity. My brother may be the famous painter, but I prefer my masterpieces warm from the oven.

John Etty by William Etty, c1811
We are looking at an oil portrait of a stern balding man wearing a dark suit with a white neck tie and collar. He is sat down at a desk with an open book in front of him.
February 14, 2026 at 4:10 PM
merchantshallyork.org
Contestant Number One here - a gentleman of the 17th century with an impeccable ruff, a steady gaze, and a skull in hand (purely for philosophical reflection) I enjoy long contemplations about mortality, dramatic lighting, and standing very still for extended periods.

Portrait of an unknown man
We are looking at an oil painting of a man with a ginger beard wearing a black robe, and a black hat trimmed with white lace. He has white cuffs and a ruff. His hand is placed on a skull.
February 14, 2026 at 4:08 PM
merchantshallyork.org
I'm Catherine Ellen Stow - fond of long walks, sharp philosophy, sealed letters, silk gowns, lively assemblies, and the occasional "purely intellectual" scandalous novel. If you value wit, manners, and a hint of rebellion, we'll get on splendidly.

Catherine Ellen Stow by Christopher Steele, c1760
We are looking at an oil painting of a woman with dark hair. She is wearing a blue silk gown with a pink rose on the top of her bodice.
February 14, 2026 at 4:05 PM
merchantshallyork.org
Blind Date: Merchant Adventurers’ Hall edition!

🧵 ❤️
We are looking at a montage of four oil paintings - one portrait of an 18th century woman and then three portraits of men from the early and late 17th century and one from the early 19th century.
February 14, 2026 at 4:01 PM
merchantshallyork.org
This is on one of our doorways. ❤️
We are looking at a close up of a section of a door showing a carved love heart.
February 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM
merchantshallyork.org
Happy Valentines Day!

Do you know what we love (apart from @romanpalace.bsky.social)?

That yellow ball in the sky. Why hello there sunshine. 💛
We are looking at the Hall on a cold frosty morning. It is sunny! The sky is blue with wispy white clouds. The Hall’s roof is covered in a light coating of frost whilst the early morning sunshine is lighting up the yellow plasterwork of the Hall and the brick of the chapel.
February 14, 2026 at 8:58 AM
merchantshallyork.org
Last but not least a heart shaped key for @romanpalace.bsky.social as they have the key to our heart.

🥰🥰🥰
We are looking at a small iron key with a love heart shaped bow.
February 13, 2026 at 9:45 AM
merchantshallyork.org
The carved oak heart is from the ornately carved 18th century doorway on the Fossgate entrance.

Apart from the heart there is carved foliage, ionic columns and lions.

🍃 🦁 ❤️
We are looking at an intricately carved oak doorway with two double doors. On either side of the doorway are ionic pillars with lions above and scrollwork across the centre. A love heart can be seen in the centre.
February 13, 2026 at 9:44 AM
merchantshallyork.org
The cut out love heart is from this 17th century Nuremberg Chest.

The heart is on the decorative lock plate which also has engraved tulips and mermaids on it. 🧜‍♀️ 🌷 ❤️
We are looking at a small open iron chest with a lock mechanism on the top which is engraved with mermaids and tulips. They are quite difficult to see but they are on there!
February 13, 2026 at 9:43 AM
merchantshallyork.org
The two love hearts are from iron fireside tools - one from tongs and the other from a shovel.

They are working tools, as this fire on the ground floor is still used. 🔥 ❤️
We are looking at a large fireplace with a hood and hearth. There is a bucket of coal and various implements including tongs with a love heart at the top.
February 13, 2026 at 9:42 AM
merchantshallyork.org
Roses are red,
violets are blue,
we’re not very good at rhyming,
so here are some love hearts from our medieval hall…

…for you. ❤️

Because it's nearly #valentinesday
We are looking at a montage of photos showing objects or parts of the Hall which have love hearts on them.
February 13, 2026 at 9:40 AM
merchantshallyork.org
Looking for something a little saucy for Valentines Day? 😘

Those of a nervous disposition may wish to avert your eyes because this is literally too hot to handle.

An 1804 silver brandy saucepan. Swit. Swoo.
We are looking at silver saucepan with a wooden handle. There are initials engraved on the saucepan with a crown above it.
February 12, 2026 at 12:04 PM
merchantshallyork.org
That is quite incredible!

We have nothing quite as historic but we did find this Icon from Kyiv rolled up in our attic?
We are looking at a religious Icon showing The Venerable Theodosius, second Abbot of the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev and his excellent beard who is keeping a close eye on the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus. The painting in full also depicts (l to r); St Barbara, the Venerable Anthony, first Abbot of the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev and St Metrophanes.
February 11, 2026 at 5:40 PM
merchantshallyork.org
Hold the actual phone.

That’s blue sky and sunshine we can see from the office! 😳🤪
We are looking at a brick building but we are not interested in that we are looking at the grey cloudy sky with bits of wispy blue sky in between. There is some very watery sunshine trying to break through.
February 11, 2026 at 3:18 PM
merchantshallyork.org
Just a reminder everyone - we will see the sun again.

We don't know when, but we will.

Be strong. 💪
We are looking at the Fossgate entrance to the Hall - the Tudor extension of timber frame and yellow render. The sky is bright blue with not a rain cloud in sight.
February 11, 2026 at 8:48 AM
merchantshallyork.org
Let's assume these people are doing a combination of snow boarding and curling.

You'll find us in one of these buildings (which is definitely a pub) enjoying a warm fire and some apres-ski!
We are looking at an oil painting of people standing outside snowy buildings. They are unlikely to be curling or on snowboards but for our theme, imagine that they are. We are looking at an oil painting depicting a lively winter scene in a Dutch town. In the foreground figures skate on the frozen river and a finely caparisoned horse draws a sleigh full of children. A church with a spire can be made out to the left of centre, and a windmill can just be made out in the distance.
February 10, 2026 at 10:39 AM
merchantshallyork.org
Is this man skiing? Possibly.

Cross Country skiing has to be one of the most brutal sports in the Winter Olympics. 😫
We are looking at an oil painting of a man possibly skiing home with his dog. We are looking at a cross country skier in brutal snowy and windy conditions making their way up a hill.
February 10, 2026 at 10:36 AM