More information : [NY 9364 6411] Hall (T.I.) (1)
The date of the Moot Hall, which stands in the Market Place is
uncertain. A document of 1355 refers to the chamber of the bailiff
and the hall of pleas as being in a ruinous condition and from this
it would seem that a building for the transaction of manorial
business had been in existence long before 1355. The building may
have been a fortified structure similar to that now existing. The
same document ordered that the building be repaired but it is not
known if the old structure was patched up or the present building
erected.
Only one tower at Hexham is mentioned in a list of towers made in
1415 but there is nothing to indicate whether this refers to the
Moot Hall or the Goal [NY 96 SW 10]. A document of 1439 refers to
the Moot Hall as a new tower, but it may have been several years old
at that date. The only positive deduction that can be drawn is that
the building was erected at some time between 1355 and 1439.
Architecturally it cannot be much earlier than the closing years of
the 14th cent. A survey of 1552 refers to both towers as being in
decay, but in 1608 the Moot Hall was in good repair.During the Scotch
war of 1640 it was suggested that the two towers be garrisoned with
150 musketeers.Used as a court house until 1838 the Moot Hall is the
property of the lord of the manor.
The building is of three storeys and includes a covered gateway,
with three pairs of gates. It was intended to serve the various
functions of gateway, justice hall and a dwelling for the seneschal
or bailiff. (2)
The gateway of the Moot Hall gives access to the area known as Hall
Gate or Hall Garth. This area, or bailey, around the Gaol was
enclosed by a precinct wall or enceinte. Some ancient masonry is
still to be seen in the lower part of the wall of the house at the
angle of the Market Place and Hall Stile Bank, and is without a
doubt a portion of this wall "still in situ". (3)
The Moot Hall is in good condition and used to house the Brough
Library.
The house at the angle of Market Place and Hall Stile Bank
(3) is now completely demolished and no trace of any masonry that
could be associated with a precinct wall of the outer enclosure or
bailey remains.
Projecting from the east wall of the Moot Hall, and bonded to it, is
a fragment of walling, possibly part of the precinct wall referred
to by authority (3). The fragment is too small for any definite
conclusions to be drawn regarding its purpose. The extent of any
outer enclosure or bailey that may have existed could not be
ascertained.
[See Illustration Card.] (4)
[NY 9364 6411] Moot Hall [L.B.] (5)
Condition unchanged (6)
5334 MARKET PLACE
(East Side)
The Moot Hall
NY 9364 1/3 2.10.51.
I GV
2.
Late C14/early C15. T-shaped plan. 4 storey tower gate and 3
storey square strongly built annexe. Routh ashlar. Tower has 2
storey pointed recess on each side with portcullis provision and 2
light windows with cusped heads. Vaulted thoroughfare on ground
floor. Stair windows to west, stair windows and 1 window to east.
3rd floor consists of small rectangular blocks, with chapel to
east. Annexe has machicolated parapet and 1 window on each side, 2
light windows with cusped head. East side has C17 exterior
staircase to 1st floor and doorway with pointed arch. To right of
doorway is a garde robe projection rising to the parapet. Interior:
Borough Library on 1st floor. 2nd floor ruinous and contains the
old town stocks. Ground floor has segmental barrel vault. AM.
St Andrew's Church together with the listed buildings in the Market
Place, form a group of which Nos 8, 10 and 16 are of local interest.
(7)
NY 936 641. Hexham Moot Hall. Scheduled No ND/251. (8)
|