(St.) Mary Magdalen of the Guildhall

   The chapel within the precincts of the Guildhall, in Guildhall Yard (Fabyan, p. 297). In Cheap Ward.

   First mention: Grant by Henry le Waleys to the Confraternity of the Pui (de Podio), 5 marks quit-rent charged on his tenements in London for the maintenance of a chaplain to celebrate Divine service in the new chapel at the Guildhall, 1299 (Cal. L. Bk. E. pp. 1 and 2).

   This statement is especially interesting, as confirming the suggestion that the Chapel of the Pui is identical with the Guildhall Chapel (See also Lib. Cust. I. 227) and that it did not stand within the precinct of St. Martin le Grand as stated by Dr. Sharpe in Cal. L Bk. C. p. 139, note.

   The Confraternity appears to have come from Le Puy in Auvergne, from whence the name is derived (See Pui, Fraternity of the). (Cal. L. Bk. E. p. 1, note.)

   Other names and forms of name : "Chapel of Blessed Mary of the Pui" (de Podeo), 1304 (Cal. L. Bk. C. p. 139). "Capelle Gildaule," 1326 (ib. E. p. 215). "Chapel of S. Mary de Gyhalle," 1349 (Ct. H. W. I. 586). "Chapel of St. Mary adjoining the Guildhall," 1358 (ib. II. 7). "Capella de Gealda," 1368 (ib. 107). "Chapel of la Gyhalle," 1368 (ib. 119). "Chapel of the Guyhalde," 1421 (Anc. Deeds, A. 12349). "le Yeldehall chappell," 4 Ed. VI. (Pat. Roll. Pt. 9).

   "Chappell or colledge of our Lady Mary Magdalen and of All Saintes by the Guildhall called London colledge" (S. 275).

   Bequests made to complete the work 1326 (Cal. L. Bk. E. p. 215).

   A college or chantry founded in the Chapel and a custos and four chaplains to be maintained there, 30 Ed. III. (Inq. p.m. cited in Price, p. 112, and App.).

   In 8 H. VI. 1430, the chapel had become ruinous and greatly in need of repair, so it was ordained that the old chapel should be pulled down and a new one built over the site of the messuage of the custos John Bernard on the south side of the Guildhall in the parish of St. Lawrence, the messuage for the custos and other chaplains to be on the north side of the Guildhall (Cal. P.R. H. VI. 1429-36, p. 58).

   Stow says the chapel was granted 27 H. VI. to the Parish Clerks of the Guild of St. Nicholas (S. 275).

   This Guild being suppressed temp. H. VIII., the chapel was granted 4 Ed. VI. to the Mayor of London (P.R. Pt. 9).

   As stated above, the chapel was dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen and All Saints.

   It was only partly destroyed in the Fire of 1666, and was of the Gothic order with a nave and aisles, the upper windows being restored in the Tuscan style (Price, p. 134). In 1782-3 it began to be used for secular purposes, the Court of Requests being held there.

   By an Act of Parliament, 1815, power was given to pull down the Chapel, but the order was not carried into effect until 1822, when it was demolished and the existing Monuments, etc., removed to St. Lawrence Jewry (ib. 135).

   The site is now occupied by the various Courts of Law belonging to the Guildhall.