Monument record 7196/107 - Moot Hall

The Moot Hall or Hall of the Burgesses presumably lay on the market place in the medieval period. Details of its repair are recorded in 1381, 1382 and 1394-5. The Hall was burnt down in the fire of circa 1410 but it is likely that it was rebuilt on the same site. In 1444 it is clear that there was at least one shop beneath the 'Motehall', showing that, as in other towns, it was a first floor hall. By 1537 it was known as the Guildhall and is described in 1615 as the place where 'common council' of the Borough customarily took place. In 1591 Norden shows a large hall in the market place with smaller buildings to its north, with the first floor hall approached from a flight of step on the east side. In 1737 it is shown immediately to the east of the main road and in 1789 with the bakehouse adjoining it on the north side. Cole describes it as having had two prisons on the ground floor. The old hall was demolished in the 19th century and replaced by a new town hall, erected in1808 on the eastern part of the market place. The earlier building was presumably demolished, as in other market places, to open up the market place and especially to provide a wide carriageway for the main road which had been severely restricted by the Moot Hall and the various shop rows. (1) (2) (3)

Old Town Hall, Market Square
The old Town Hall was situated near the street, the end window commanding a view toward Rushden; on the east side was a flight of stone steps, with wooden palisades, conducting to the upper room, whose walls had various portion of armour hung about them. Here the business of the corporation was transacted. (1)

<1> Foard G.; Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Higham Ferrers (Medieval - Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100543.

<2> 1591, Bibliotheque Nationale Paris, Mss 706 Anglais, Acq. Nouv. No.58, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100545.

<3> COLBECK J., 1737, Higham Ferrers, 1737 (NRO Map 1004), (unchecked) (Map). SNN100548.

Record last edited

Apr 24 2017 3:14PM