The Guildhall was commissioned after King Henry IV awarded a charter to the City of Norwich giving it autonomy from the county of Norfolk.
The building, which was quickly established as the new local seat of city government, was built between 1407 and 1413. Civic affairs
were conducted in the building until 1938, when the new Town Hall was opened. Magistrates' courts continued to be held in the Council Chamber
until 1977 and prisoners were held in the building until 1980.