Moot Hall Photoshoot

The Moot Hall Photoshoot took place in Maldon at the end of June 2020.

History

The building now known as the Moot Hall is the surviving fragment of a much larger dwelling known as the D’arcy Mansion or Master D’arcy’s Tower which has stood in some form on Maldon’s High Street since the early 15th Century.

Believed to have been built in around 1420, the tower is part of a brick extension to an existing timber manor house and was commissioned by Sir Robert D’arcy ( d1448) probably not long after his marriage in 1417 to a Maldon heiress Alice Fitzlangley (1395-1448). Over the years the Moot Hall has been a dwelling, a court room, a prison and a council chamber. It is well worth a visit

  • Maldon Moot Hall
    The committee room
  • Moot Hall photoshoot
    The stairs lit with candles
  • Maldon Moot Hall
    The court room
  • Maldon Moot Hall
    The jury room
  • Moot Hall Photoshoot
    The council chamber
  • Moot Hall Photoshoot
    The mayor and mace bearer
  • Moot Hall Photoshoot
    The mayor and mace bearer
  • Moot Hall Photoshoot
    The seal of Maldon
  • Maldon Moot Hall
    Mark to keep witches away

The images

The Moot Hall Photoshoot took place because the Trustees and the manager of the monument wanted to update their website and publicity material. They needed some new photographs! These are a few of the ones captured on the day.

The ground floor of the building opens into the Committee room. Sales and local events are held here. Off the committee room is a beautiful red brick spiral staircase. This staircase has been blocked at the first floor level at some time in past centuries . It is still very photogenic! The committee room also leads to the dungeon and the prison yard.

On the first floor we find the Court Room. It is accessed using different steps. The court room tried people and even had them transported to Australia for stealing a handkerchief! The jury room is behind the court room. There are more stairs to climb to reach the court room is the council chamber. For the photoshoot the Mayor and her mace bearer came. For the photoshoot both people put on their formal robes and processed in with the mace.

Behind the Council Chamber is the Muniment Room This room contains the seal of Maldon. At the top of the stairs that lead to the roof there is a “witches mark”, aimed at keeping witches away. From the roof it is possible to see miles over the Blackwater Estuary and as far as Southend!

Today you can take a tour of the Moot Hall, or even get married there. Find out more about the Moot Hall by visiting their website