Chapel of St. Clement, Hall of the Society of Merchant Venturers, Society of Merchant Venturers, and Guild of British Mariners, Bristol black plaque

This black commemorative plaque records: The Guild of British Mariners founded in 1445 maintained a priest and twelve poor seamen. Their Chapel of St. Clement stood on this site. In 1553 the disused chapel became the Hall of the Society of Merchant Venturers. The Hall was rebuilt 1719. In 1940 it was destroyed by enemy action.

The Chapel of St. Clement, originally associated with the Guild of British Mariners founded in 1445 for maritime support and welfare, later became the Hall of the Society of Merchant Venturers in 1553, a significant body for Bristol’s commercial expansion and overseas trade.