Piece Hall, Halifax

[toby webb]

Quoting from The Professor by Charlotte Bronte:-
"I was at X- yesterday. Your brother .......They call him in the Piece Hall a stag of ten."
X- was never disclosed but I always read it as Halifax. Then on the last page came the above
quotation which supports my guess. But were there other similar places also called Piece Hall in the big towns?
Be pleased for comments. T.

[sstarr2008]

Huddersfield had the Cloth Hall and Leeds has the  Corn Exchange but I have never heard of any other Piece Halls except Halifax.

Stu

[dave the tyke]

Hi Toby
The writing could refer to one of Greenwoods of Bridgehouse, Haworth and/or Joseph Greenwood of Springhead House, who all sold wool or cotton at Piece Hall, Halifax. It is on record the the Bontes were on friendly terms with the Springhead Greenwoods, Anne, Sarah and Martha Greenwood were of similar ages to the Bronte sisters.
A similar building in Bradford is known as the 'Wool exchange'

Dave

[toby webb]

With Bradford & Huddersfield accounted for, I feel quite confident with Halifax as the place. Hope they will get on with the restoration of Piece Hall soon as I should like to see it in all it's glory. Thanks for all the help. Toby.

[sallyyorks]

There was definitely a Piece Hall at Bradford. I read about it in a book recently. It was pulled down but not sure of date

[toby webb]

Thanks sallyyorks. Google is a bit misleading on the surface for what I expected to be Bradford turned out to be Halifax. I would therefore be pleased if you were able to give me a reference to your book. Thanks . T

[sallyyorks]

I can't remember the name of book at moment but according to this website it was built ( or at least mentioned )  in 1769

Bradford Timeline 1700s
http://www.bradfordtimeline.co.uk/170099.htm

Edit. There is a contempory drawing of it online too
(Its on the left I think in the drawing)

[sallyyorks]

Drawing of it here

http://www.an-englishmanshome.co.uk/bradford_piece_hall.htm

[toby webb]

Oh Well. Back to the drawing board. T