Herbert House: A York case study Kate Giles and Dav Smith
Event details
Learn more about Herbert House, Pavement, as archaeologists Kate Giles and Dav Smith use the remarkable building as a case study to explore some of the distinctive architectural and conservation heritage of the city. They will also examine how Herbert House exemplifies the opportunities and challenges faced by those looking after the city's architectural heritage today.
The building is one of the few surviving examples of York's early modern townhouses and Kate and Dav will highlight the need for a greater understanding of this period of the city's architectural history, not least the King's Manor and the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall itself. Discover how, through its later adaptation and restoration, Herbert House exemplifies early conservation approaches by pioneering figures such as Francis Yorke, Walter Brierley, and Cuthbert Morrell.
Join Kate and Dav and find out how understanding Herbert House’s layers of history through detailed archaeological and historical research is enabling York Conservation Trust to make better informed decisions about its future. They will highlight the significance of the University of York's distinctive approach of connecting building recording, research and conservation with partnership working, as pioneered by leading scholars such as Jane Grenville.
Why not join us for the talk ‘The Cultural Heritage of Afghanistan’ and a drinks reception prior to this event? You may also be interested in taking a tour of Herbert House and the Bruce Wannell Memorial Exhibitions running throughout the Festival - ‘Arts of the Islamic World’ and ‘Lenses Across Time: Views of Afghanistan’.
Links between Herbert House and the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
Herbert House was named after the Herbert family, a wealthy dynasty of merchants and Lord Mayors. The most famous Herbert was perhaps Sir Thomas Herbert, a traveller, historian and courtier. He was born in The Pavement in 1606, in a house his great grandfather, Alderman Christopher Herbert - who was Lord Mayor of York in 1573, and Governor of the Merchant Adventurers’ Company 1572-4 - bought from the Merchants Company in 1557. His grandfather, Alderman Thomas Herbert, was Governor of the Merchants Company in 1598-1600, and Lord Mayor in 1603-4.
The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall remains the everyday base for members of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York.
Photo credit: York Conservation Trust
About the speakers
Professor Kate Giles is the Director of the Centre for the Study of Christianity & Culture at the University of York. Her recent study of Pickering Church was awarded a Historians of British Art 2023 book prize.
Dr Dav Smith is Co-Director of the MA in Historic Buildings at the University of York and a Partner at Maybank Buildings Conservation, a private consultancy working closely with York Conservation Trust.
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