IT has hosted royal banquets, Parliament and even courts of law in its 750-year history.

In 1603, Sir Walter Raleigh stood trial and the notorious Judge Jeffreys – the “hanging judge” – sat in judgement as part of the bloody assizes.

Now the 13th century Winchester Great Hall with the world-famous King Arthur’s Round Table is embarking on a new chapter.

Hampshire County Council has licensed it as a wedding venue.

Couples will be able to get hitched in the historic hall for the sum of £3,500 – excluding food.

There is space for up to 350 guests to watch as couples exchange vows in the former royal palace.

Gardens The wedding party will also have exclusive use of Queen Eleanor’s Garden, a recreation of a late 13th century ornamental herbal garden, the former Grand Jury Room and law library.

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But it is not all wedded bliss – county chiefs have come under fire for advertising the Great Hall as available for weddings on six dates only in May and June next year.

Once licensed, venues have to be regularly available for marriages and civil partnerships.

Prince Charles had to change his plans to marry at Windsor Castle after it was decided licensing would cause too much disruption. Members of the public might also have been allowed to wed there.

One Winchester resident, who did not want to be named, said licensing the Great Hall as a wedding venue was “great news” but questioned its legality.

They added: “The regulations state a venue must be available regularly – how can you state six dates a year is regular when those six dates are limited to a period of two months every summer?”

County chiefs now say the Great Hall can be hired for weddings on other dates – subject to availability.

Leader of the council Councillor Ken Thornber said: “This is a new venture for the Great Hall giving the public the opportunity to enjoy this iconic building on their special day.

“For marketing purposes, some dates were set aside which were considered to be potentially the most sought-after during the busy wedding season.

“At the outset it was difficult to predict the uptake of this opportunity and of course anyone wishing to book any other date should contact the Great Hall to discuss availability.”

However Chris Webb, a member of the City of Winchester Trust, said he will be concerned if the Great Hall is closed to the public numerous times for weddings.

More than 180,000 people a year visit the Great Hall, according to council figures.