Adjoining the house was a garden, called in the 14th century "the garden of the Moot-hall," and in the 15th "the Town-Hall garden." This garden was walled round, and it was not large, for the wages of two Wall-builders for 312 days at 312d. a day, and two more for 112 days at 1s., with straw and water, which cost 1s. 4d., brought the whole cost of the wall to no more than 3s. 11d.
The street, now called Blue Boar Lane, which led to the hall was generally described in the 13th and 14th centuries as "the lane which leads from the High Street to the Moot-hall," or "Guildhall," and in 1484 it was called Mayor's Hall Lane. It was paved in the year 1341, when "eight rods of pavement were paved by task" for 8d.
The Guild Hall was very simply furnished. Both hall and Upper Chamber were provided with wooden benches, some of which were, on special occasions, covered with mats. These benches often needed repair, and once, in the year 1334, reference is made to some riotous proceedings, otherwise unknown to history, in order to account for the damage. The Mayor's accounts for that year say that the benches of the Guildhall had been "broken and thrown down in the presence of the King's Justices then sitting to hold the Assize."
The only other article of furniture we hear of is a lacked chest, or "common coffer," used for holding the deeds and muniments of the Guild. Other documents, rolls and charters, were kept in sacks and hampers. There was also a cheker, or counter, in the hall in the 16th century, if not earlier. The weights and measures were also there, as well as the seals, which were kept in a purse with four keys. Grasses were bought sometimes, upon special occasions, for carpeting the floors of the Hall and Upper Chamber. The Bell used for calling the community together, which the Guild had bought for sixpence in 1220, and had mended in 1258 at a cost of 3d., was also kept there, as well as the Mace, which was renewed in the year 1378 at a cost of 13s. 6d. The latter instrument, it should be noted, was for many centuries no mere ornamental symbol of authority, but a formidable weapon, by means of which the Mayor of the
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