The Drapers' Hall.

Address	St. Mary's Place.
Real Ales	No

Although not a hostelry in the true sense of the word, the restaurant established there several years ago, caters for a wide variety of people visiting and living in the town and it is housed in one of the most historic buildings in Shrewsbury.

The Drapers were a group of extremely wealthy and powerful businessmen who held the monopoly for trading in Welsh cloth and for exporting it abroad through the London market.

Drapers are first mentioned in Shrewsbury records from the early years of the 13th century and they were granted a Royal Charter by Edward IV in 1462. As the guild's power and wealth increased they became heavily involved with civic affairs and by the 16th century was virtually running the town. Many of the fine timber-framed houses you see in the centre of Shrewsbury date from this time and were erected by the wealthy members of the guild.

The original Drapers' Hall was a modest affair, erected in 1485 at a cost of £9-15s-6d. As their wealth and power increased they built a new hall on the same site to reflect this and for over four centuries it has been the centre for all their business, charitable and social activities.

Detailed records of the guild's activities still exist in their archives and it is from these we can gain much information about the building and its contents. It was built in two phases. The first phase in 1576 included the main hall, which is now the restaurant, with the "Great Chamber" above. To the rear of the hall was a service area and kitchen and above this the garderobe. The second phase dates from around 1580 and is the narrow three-storey section to the right. This contains an entrance passage leading to the main door, porter's lodge and several rooms above.

The main hall still contains a great deal of its original furnishings, including an oak table, seventeen feet long and made in 1632 by Francis Bowyer for £2-15s-0d. Two years later he made two matching benches for £3-0s-0d. In 1637 Bowyer also constructed a chest to store the records of the guild. It is unusual as a section at the front can be removed to expose three locks, the key of which were kept by the master and his two wardens. The chest cost £4-7s-8d, which included £1-6s-8d paid to Thomas Gratie for the three locks. There are two old paintings; one painted by Thomas Francis in 1660 depicts King Edward IV who granted the drapers their first charter. The second depicts Degory Watur one of the early wardens of the guild with his wife.