Larderhouse. The Chamberlains' accounts allude also to the kitchen and the Spice-house. A bedroom was fitted up in 1582, for the accommodation of the Recorder, Richard Parkins, who "applied himself to reading and digesting the records of the town." The accounts for the same year give particulars of the bedroom's furniture; and a note is added, saying that it remains to the use of the corporation, and is yearly to be recorded in the account of the Mayors "for the better remembrance thereof."
Shortly after the purchase of the new Hall, some annoyance seems to have been caused on account of the Mayor's having lent it for meetings of the "paratours" or cloth-makers, for in 1572 the Corporation emphatically resolved that "the Hall, nor no part thereof, nor no implement belonging to the same, shall not at any time hereafter be lent neither by the Mayor for his time being nor no other officer nor officers."
The Mayor's Seat in the Hall was erected in the year 1586, and the date is inscribed above it between the letters E.R. A sum of fifteen shillings was paid to John Carver "for carving and making the Queen's Arms which is in the Hall extant," and for the gilding thereof 26s. 8d. These arms were not in the Hall itself, but in "a chamber at the Hall."
The Mayor's Parlour at present existing was built or restored in the year 1636. "This year the Parlour belonging to the Guildhall with the chamber gallery evidence house and other rooms adjoining unto the same were newly erected at the charge of the common chamber." The cost was £224. "The carving of the chimney-piece was finished at an outlay of £5 16s. 6d. to the carver, £4 13s. 6d. to the joiners and woodseller, and £2 10s. for the colouring and gilding. It remains to this day a monument of the skill and taste of the period of its execution."
In the year 1584 the Town Hall was mortgaged to secure a loan guaranteed on behalf of the Corporation by two of its members. Robert Herrick, who was then Mayor, and Thomas Clarke, the wealthy landlord of the Blue Boar Inn, had bound themselves in a bond of £200 to Agnes Stringer for the payment of £100, and it was resolved that "for their security there shall be the Town Hall vocat' Guildhall assured unto them." Agnes
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