The beginning of the new Victorian
era was marked in Brecon with the building of the grand new Shire
Hall in the town. This opened in 1842 and was to be the seat
of all those authorities which ran Breconshire on behalf of the crown.
The Quarter Sessions were held there
and other important local meetings like the meetings of the Board
of Guardians.
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There
is a larger version of this photograph in our series of old pictures
of Brecon.
Click here. |
Perhaps
the grandest of these occasions were the regular Assize
Courts. These were where the serious criminal cases were heard
and a High Court Judge would visit the town to hear them. The huge size
of the grand building, the high benches of the court room and the official
wigs and robes were all meant to impress local people with the power
of the law.|
When
the Assizes were held
there would be a procession through the town with the judge in
his robes escorted by the Sheriff's javelin men who were local
policemen in their best uniforms. (See the photograph left.)
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