 The building was constructed as a meeting place for the City's guilds between 1449 and 1459.Richard III was entertained in the building in 1483 and it was the venue for the trial of Margaret Clitherow, a catholic martyr, in 1586.It was also the place where a ransom of £200,000 was counted before being given to the Scots in payment for the release of Charles I in 1647 during the English Civil War and Prince Albert, the Prince Consort to Queen Victoria was a guest of honour at a Royal banquet in the building in October 1850.