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The Court Hall and Museum |
In great part this remarkable series was first
collected and set down by W.D. Cooper, whose "History of Winchelsea",
published in 1850 is still the standard work on the town. Later discoveries
have added some 200 extra names.
The boards of the list of the Mayors were presented
to the town by Mr G. M. Freeman. The Court Hall is still the meeting place
of the Corporation and here, on Easter Monday each year, a new Mayor is
elected and takes his seat beneath the great roll of his predecessors.
The Corporation like the City of London elects Freemen of Winchelsea from
whom up to 12 Jurats are selected annually at the Mayoring to assist the
Mayor. There are also a Town Clerk, Chamberlain and Sergeant Mace.
The Corporation regalia includes two maces, one
C 1485 and the other C 1550 both made of silver with an iron core. There
is a small sergeant's mace or "silver oar" as it is sometimes called.
This is 6.1/2ins long and is of silver with a lead weighted iron core.
The arms of John Carryll who was bailiff of Winchelsea until 1763 are
engraved on the top. Another interesting item is a mayor's round seal,
1 7/8ins. diameter. It bears the arms of the Cinque Ports. It is late
14th century but unfortunately very worn.
The Mayoring, which is open to the public, is a
very ancient tradition. It has been enacted on Easter Monday for 700 years
and, probably since 1665, in this hall. Faces and dress change with the years but the words
and phrases of the old Custumal of the town are preserved intact. 
The
Court Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Winchelsea though
it was drastically restored in the 16th century. Parts of it are probably
as old as the town itself and it may incorporate still earlier materials.
The notable crown post roof is 15th century and there is a fine medieval
chimney. The cellar is unfortunately filled with rubble but the entrance
is visible at the west end of the building. The lower rooms were
the Town Gaol in the 18th century, and are used for meetings and functions.
The
local museum is housed on the upper floor and is well worth a visit. It
contains many interesting exhibits, mostly local, and is open throughout
the summer. One of the most noteworthy features is the list of Mayors
of Winchelsea shown on a series of oak boards. This list, far fuller than
that of most towns, is complete from 1430 and is partially complete from1295
when Mayors first replaced the King's Bailiffs.
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