The Merchant's House Shop
is fully open for business
on
Monday 12th April 2021

It is with great regret that we have to announce that Richard Clapp sadly died on Monday 1st February, as a result of a traffic accident.

Richard has been part of the Merchant’s House Trust since the beginning in 1991.   He was a Trustee, Shop Director, Guide and much more. 


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The Merchant's House

Thomas Bayly, a silk mercer and prominent Marlborough citizen (twice Mayor), ran his business and brought up his family at what is now 132/3 High Street in a time of great change both locally and nationally.

In 1642 one of the earliest Civil War battles took place in the heart of the town and Marlborough gained a reputation for its firm commitment to the parliamentary cause.

Eleven years later, in 1653, the town was destroyed in a huge fire necessitating a rebuild of which the Merchant's House was part.

The house is a rare and remarkable survival.  It provides an insight into the lifestyle and interests of a middle-class family during a century when modern Britain - an outward looking, emerging capitalist country and one with a maturing political life - was coming into being.

We are learning a lot about the Baylys and 17th century Marlborough.  We hope a visit to this fascinating building will help you do the same.