The Tercentenary at Warwick Words

The 300th anniversary of Warwick’s Court House/Town Hall featured on the final day of the Warwick Words History Festival with a multi-media presentation in the ballroom.

Presenters Edwina and Celia told of the Cross Tavern that stood on the site of the present Court House and became the home of the corporation with a Mayor’s Parlour, until the Great Fire of Warwick in 1694 destroyed all the buildings surrounding it. The burgesses commissioned local master-builder Francis Smith to build a new Court House and Town Hall. Work began in 1725.

During the presentation, Rick interviewed the Bailiff of the Court Leet that dates from the first Charter awarded by Henry VIII, and is one of the few Leets in the country that continues to operate, hearing citizen’s complaints and raising money for local causes.

The Mayor, Cllr. Jackie Darcy, spoke of her role as an ambassador for the town, and the Sergeant at Mace, Trevor Langley explained the history of the Town Mace and the ‘Oken Mace’ used on ceremonial occasions.

There were interviews with a time-travelling Thomas Oken, the town’s greatest benefactor, and architect Francis Smith.  And an old film clip showed parts of the Warwick pageant of 1906. 

The Town Crier closed the presentation with the traditional toast of ‘Warwick’, shouted enthusiastically by the audience.