Oxford.
_Guildhalls_ (No. 20. p. 320)--These were anciently the halls, or
places of meeting, of Guilds, or communities formed for secular or
religious purposes, none of which could be legally set up without
the King's licence. Trade companies were founded, and still exist,
in various parts of the kingdom, as "Gilda Mercatorum;" and there is
little doubt that this was the origin of the municipal or governing
corporate bodies in cities and towns whose "Guildhalls" still
remain--"gildated" and "incorporated" were synonymous terms.
In many places, at one time of considerable importance, where Guilds
were established, though the latter have vanished, the name of their
Halls has survived.
Your correspondent "A SUBSCRIBER AB INITIO" is referred to Madox,
_Firma Burgi_, which will afford him much information on the subject.