Definition of "gildhall" []

• The hall where a gild or corporation usually assembles; a town or corporation hall; specifically (with a capital), the corporation hall and seat of several of the courts of the city of London, England. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "For there was the King's palace and the great gildhall, both whereof were buildings defensible, and moreover they had full command of all the haven and the ships therein, for they had all the quays and landing-places and warehouses; so that both the sea and the river was under their wielding."