Work commenced on the re-building
of Guildhall in this year and continued until at least 1430.
Building proceeded on an ambitious scale and made use of fine
materials. It was a tangible expression of the wealth, pride
and self- confidence of the fifteenth century City of
London.
No accounts survive to detail the progress of work but
particular care and expense seems to have been lavished on the
porch as this formed the ceremonial entrance to the hall. Overall,
the new hall can be categorised as belonging to the perpendicular
phase of gothic.
Behind an eighteenth century façade
fronting Guildhall Yard, the panelled walls and ribbed
tierceron vaults of the fifteenth century porch are largely
intact and are one of the highlights of a visit to
Guildhall. Originally four fine statues representing
Discipline, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance decorated this
entrance-way.
Work was supervised by John Croxton, one of the most experienced
masons available, and was funded from a variety of taxes and with
contributions from the livery companies. Later, funds left in the
will of the famous Richard Whittington (c1356-1423) were made
available by his executors and were used towards completion of the
windows and paving. By 1419 it was possible to hold hustings inside
the new building.