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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 16h

Aww the days when we had ducklings!

We are looking at a photo of a mummy duck with 19 ducklings.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 17h

An autumn morning at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. The Tudor extension built in 1601 has seen a number of these crisp sunny mornings. 🧡

We are looking at the Tudor half timber and brick extension to the Hall. It is a sunny autumn morning and everything glows a warm hue in the sunshine. You can see the carved oak barge boards depicting vines and grapes and a Tudor rose. The yellow ochre plasterwork is a honey mustard colour and the wood is a multitude of warm brown colours.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 15/10/2026

Warning - NSFW content. Look at this bit of wall porn. Check out the frame on that. 😘

We are looking at a section of the Hall showing its oak frame, close vertical studding and its yellow ochre plasterwork.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 14/10/2026

Our chapel dates to 1411 but has several newer additions including: the 16th century panelling, 17th century pews, 19th and 20th century windows. A little like Trigger’s broom but still as special as the day it was built.

We are looking at the chapel on a sunny autumn day with sun streaming through the large east window casting patterns on the tiled floor. The 17th century pews in their light teal colour are in contrast to the scarlet red of the altar.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 13/10/2026

It turns out a 🍆 harvest is too rude for bluesky censors. However have no fear here are two naked people jousting on giant snails instead.

We are looking at a medieval illustration of two figures sat on top of large snails. They are holding large banners and appear to be jousting.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 13/10/2026

Before and after: Merchant Adventurers’ Hall edition. These spaces are known as the first ante rooms and date to 1601. They were used by Hall staff and their families although the top photo was taken when they were for display. Although you will just be able to spot a tester bed in the back room.

We are looking at two views of the ante rooms - one in black and white and taken in the early 20th century the other in 2009. They have an assortment of furniture and paintings including chairs and chests.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 12/10/2026

Today’s challenge is to find a right angle in the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall chapel. Taken in the 1930s this photo shows the 17th century pews and pulpit delightfully on the wonk.

We are looking at a black and white photo of a section of the chapel showing two panelled pews, box pew and a pulpit. They are all at jaunty angles as if they are all leaning into eavesdrop on a conversation. Even the altar rail is leaning away.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 10/10/2026

My liege, we are off hunting. Have you brought your falcon? Nay for I have brought my snail.

We are looking at a manuscript of a hare sat on a fearsome looking greyhound. The hare is wearing a gauntlet on which sits a snail who is absolutely up for the hunt.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 09/10/2026

In 1601 the Merchant Adventurers built an extension to their medieval Hall. All we can say is that it beats a conservatory…

We are looking at a rooftop view of a three bay Tudor extension of timber frame and brick construction with a tiled roof. The plaster work is mustard yellow and pops between the orange tiles of later buildings that surround the Hall.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 08/10/2026

Medieval guild hall + autumn = Phwoar! 👀 🧡

We are looking at the exterior of the Hall on a sunny autumnal day. It’s chilly and leaves cover the lawn. Shadows from the trees cast pattens on the medieval brickwork whilst the yellow ochre plasterwork glows in the October sunshine.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 07/10/2026

The Bible because of its forceful language was not popular with the authorities and James I commissioned a new “Authorised Version” in 1604 (published in 1611). We still use this as Merchant Adventurers swear on this when becoming a Member of the Company.

We are looking at a woodcut from the Bible shoring a stylised head in the centre with angel type creatures on either side.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 07/10/2026

It was known as the Breeches Bible because it describes Adam and Eve as having ‘breeches’ to cover their nakedness. Our version has a young lady called Eliza Burnall practicing her signature!

We are looking at the last page of the Bible which has the name Eliza Burnall signed several times.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 07/10/2026

This version was printed in 1607 by Royal printer Robert Barker and includes this beautiful woodcut title page. It is of interest to our friends across the pond as it was carried to North America by Robert Reverend Hunt - the chaplain of the newly established Jamestown colony.

We are looking at a page from the Bible showing a woodcut of a title page for the New Testament and features the twelve tribes of Israel and the apostles.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 07/10/2026

The Geneva Bible was first published in 1560 and as you might have guessed, first printed in Geneva. It was written with annotations by Protestant reformers: John Calvin, John Knox and Theodore In Scotland a law was passed in 1579 requiring every household to possess a copy.

We are looking at two printed pages from a Bible printed in Roman type for ease of reading.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 07/10/2026

We have something old and interesting to show you today. This is the Geneva Bible or Breeches Bible. It dates to 1607!

We are looking at a slightly beaten up and aged leather book witt broken hasps.

We are looking at the same leather bound book from the side showing the yellow, aged and worn pages. Remnants of two leather hasps and their fixings can still be seen.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 06/10/2026

This shows the floods of 2015 and the Hall surrounded by water. The only time in our history that we were a moated site!

We are looking at the Hall from a distance on a sunny winter's day. The garden to the Hall is non existent as it is under flood water. The water laps up against the walls of the chapel.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 06/10/2026

Over the centuries the Hall has flooded many times. The last was in 2015 which many of you will remember. There is now a permanent reminder carved into the stonework of the Hall near to the chapel.

We are looking at a section of wall carved with flood marks and the dates when the flooding took place. These are recorded as 1831, 1947, 1982 and perhaps unhelpfully for a building seven centuries old, "15" which marks the highest recorded flood level which was in 2015.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 06/10/2026

A little view that you can no longer see. This glimpse of a medieval window from inside a quadruple Tudor chimney stack was only visible 10 years ago whilst we undertook some flood recovery work. This space is now a much needed cupboard!

We are looking at a corridor made of brick, it leads to a dead end of a limewashed wall and glazed stone mullion window.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 05/10/2026

The Merchant Adventurers' Hall is brought to you today by: The Letter "G" (for Great Hall) and The Number: 1357.

We are looking at the Great Hall on a sunny bright afternoon. The medieval oak frame roof soars upwards and glows in browns, oranges and gold. The sun can be seen streaming through the Georgian sash windows creating puddles of light on the pine and pitch pine floors.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 04/10/2026

St Lucy’s goggly eyes can’t believe it either.

We are looking at a close up of an oil painting of St Lucy. She is holding a pewter cake stand with two eye balls on it. They are surprised as anyone that they are on a cake stand.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 02/10/2026

This unusual walking stick was found in one of our cupboards (the monkey cupboard for those in the know). We know absolutely nothing about it other than some of the engravings on it are amazing!

We are looking at a walking stick fashioned from a thin tree branch. It is engraved or incised with illustrations.

We are looking at a close up of the walking stick showing illustrations of a bearded man with a hat and a young woman with her hands in her hair.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 02/10/2026

It's Friday and therefore nearly the weekend and this little chap could not be more delighted!

We are looking at a close up of a walking stick which is fashioned from a stick. It is incised with a cartoon tree like creature with spiky hair, branch arms and a smiley face. The creatures nose is part of a bump in the walking stick. The illustration is then inked in.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 01/10/2026

It's 1st October so with spooky season just around the corner we thought we'd share again this atmospheric and unique photo of the Undercroft. This is possibly the only known photo showing the space partitioned, and looking as it would have done when it was an alms house.

We are looking at a black and white photo of the Undercroft. It is a long room with an uneven cobbled floor and bare stone walls. In the distance is a three mullion window and to the side of it part of the oak screen to the chapel. On the right of the photo between the oak posts are timber framed walls and a set of stairs leading to an unseen doorway.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 30/09/2026

If the (massive) key fits… …the thing is although it does fit, once again this is a faux lock. The real one is on the top with its decorative lock plate.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 29/09/2026

Here's what the chest looks like open - behold the red interior. The 16th century carved oak fire surround is quite the backdrop!

We are looking at a large carved oak fire surround - in the fireplace is the painted iron chest which is open showing its carved lock plate and red interior.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 29/09/2026

The chest is rather beautiful with painted flowers and foliage. The lock on the front is a faux one - so a fake which doesn’t do anything!

We are looking at a painted banded iron chest with a central decorative faux lock. It has two large hasps.

We are looking at a decorative faux lock on the front of a decorated iron chest. Flowers and greenery can be seen painted all around the lock plate.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 29/09/2026

Because you asked so nicely here’s a video of us popping a key into one of our 17th century chests. Sadly we can’t open it (due to poorly hinges) but we have some photos below.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 29/09/2026

It's National Coffee Day? Hold our tea (sorry - we are from Yorkshire it's the law)... How about this fancy pants coffee pot made in York in 1799 for your morning brew?!

We are looking at a silver coffee pot in a vase form, reeded borders, engraved with foliate decoration and an initialled cartouche, hinged raised cover with a knop finial, on an oval foot, the underside inscribed.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 28/09/2026

Finally whilst on the hunt for the safe key we found these three keys just hanging in a cupboard. What do they open? We have no idea. ❤️

We are looking at a section of the 17th century extension to the Hall with old rusty nails sticking out of it. Three keys of different sizes hang from the nails.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 28/09/2026

Now this fairly ordinary key opens up something not fairly ordinary. This early 20th century safe in our office. Once holding important documents, it’s now a glorified cupboard. 😬

We are looking at a new key with a long stem and narrow key ward.

We are looking at a safe with a red front and a green shield badge on the front advertising George Price Safemaker of Wolverhampton.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 28/09/2026

Now this key has recently retired from its duties. Until recently it locked this door to the Hall's office. However the lock mechanism failed (locking staff in and out of the office). It now hangs in the office as decoration.

We are looking at a key with a thick oval bow, wide stem and intricate key ward.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 28/09/2026

Now this is a rather lovely key which also opens a rather lovely 17th Century Nuremberg chest. Look at the locking mechanism on that! Phwoar! 😘

We are looking at an old iron key with a large wide oval bow, short stubby stem and a key ward comprising two star shaped cut outs.

We are looking at an iron Nuremberg chest. It has a faux lock on the front with the real intricate and complicated lock mechanism on the interior of the lid. It also has two large hasps which would have also been padlocked for additional security.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 28/09/2026

We like big keys and we cannot lie... Yes this big brass behemoth (teeny tiny key for comparison) opens a rather lovely iron chest. Despite its appearance it's actually quite new and was made in the 1990's and has quite the story - post below. bsky.app/profile/merc...

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 28/09/2026

Get ready cagophilists (collectors of keys for those not down with the kids) we have some new keys that have a function. Here's a rather nice key. What does this open? The monkey cupboard (don't ask about the name as we have no idea but there's a nice thread below): bsky.app/profile/merc...

We are looking at an iron key which is no fuss - solid bow, plain stem and an ever so slightly decorative key ward.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 28/09/2026

We are a very old building. We have lots of keys. We have lots of keys that DO open things. Join us for a one off instalment of, “Keys of the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall that are pretty and also serve a purpose”.

We are looking at two pewter plates with an assortment of large brass and iron keys in various shapes and sizes.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 28/09/2026

If we post keys that actually open things would you be interested in seeing them? Or is it just the thrill of looking at pretty keys that don't open anything?

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 24/09/2026

Our last key is this Bobby dazzler. Look at the sturdy no nonsense bow and the unusual bit. What does it open? Nada, nothing, zilch. Thank you for joining us on this interesting if completely pointless journey. 🔑 ❤️

We are looking at another key with a wide oval bow which has a stem with a collar and a very unusual bit made up of two looped sections of metal creating two circles.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 24/09/2026

A key you’ve seen before because it’s our tenuous St Patrick’s Day key. May this shamrock key bring you good luck not just on 17th March but every day! What does it open? Faic (which we believe is nothing in Gaelic).

We are looking at a key with a trefoil bow and long stem with a collar and a detailed key ward with bits around it. You may have realised by now that we have no idea what we’re talking about. Sorry.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 24/09/2026

This post you lucky people has two keys for the price of one. These keys just can’t be separated, decades possibly centuries they’ve remained ‘locked’ together. What do they open we hear you cry? Not a dicky bird.

We are looking at two identical keys with wide oval bows, chubby stems and collars and very intricate key wards.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 24/09/2026

An old key with a lovely bow, key wards and intricate bit. What does it open? Nothing... except your heart. ❤️

We are looking at another key with a heart shaped bow, shortish stem stem and a key ward with and unusual shape, this one also has bits too.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 24/09/2026

We start with this key. Lovely bow, nice stem, collar and an unusual key ward. What does it open? Diddly squat.

We are looking at an iron keys with a wide oval bow, shortish stem and then with an intricately hand sawn (?) key ward.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 24/09/2026

We are a very old building. We have lots of keys. We have lots of keys that don’t open anything. Join us for a one off installment of, “Keys of the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall that are pretty but completely useless”. 🔑 🧵

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 24/09/2026

We have no way of sharing the full document on bluesky sadly - it's way too long! We can share one of the deciphered pages though.

We are looking at the first page of a letter signed by King Henry VIll with the original cypher in black with the deciphered text above in red

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 23/09/2026

We can just about in this video but it was a little too far away.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 23/09/2026

Have you ever wondered what York looks like from a hot air balloon? Well we can tell you - it looks *chefs kiss*

We are looking at a view of York from the air - lots of tiled roofs surround the gothic stone masterpiece of York Minster. In the distance the city is replaced with open patchwork fields and the Howardian hills in the distance.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 22/09/2026

This coded letter signed by King Henry VIII on 17th June 1541 was sent to his Ambassadors at the Diet of Ratisbon (Regensburg in Germany). It was only fully deciphered in 1963 when it came into the ownership of the Merchant Adventurers.

We are looking at the first page of a long letter written in code and signed at the top by King Henry VIII.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 22/09/2026

Three amazing things about this 16th century letter: 1. It is written in code. 2. It complains about pirates. 3. It is written by King Henry VIII!

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 21/09/2026

Apparently oysters are aphrodisiacs. Perhaps not this one. 😬

We are looking at a close up of a medieval drawing of a circular oyster painted brown with a beak - the oyster has teeth.

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