URPoint Details
Unfortunately, access for wheelchair bound visitors is only possible to the ground floor chamber.
The Moot Hall, with its clock and balcony, is a distinctive feature of Maldon's High Street.
Originally a private residence for the D'Arcy family, the existing tower formed part of a much larger fortified house which was built on the market place that ran from Market Hill to All Saints between Bull Lane and the High Street. It was built in the middle of the 15th century by Sir Robert D'Arcy (1358 1448) MP for Maldon in 1423. The D'Arcy family were distinguished Essex landowners actively involved in local and national government. Sir Robert D'Arcy represented Essex at nine separate Parliaments between 1416 and 1456.
The building was sold to the Borough of Maldon in 1576 for the sum of 55, pound, since when it has housed the various representatives of the Town: Burgesses, Bailiffs, Mayors and Aldermen. At that time Maldon had a different judicial system from many towns, having its own Magistrates Court. Authority lay in the hands of the ownership of the Bailiffs' Court which had wide-ranging powers. In the ownership of the present Town Council, it is still used for their
- Type:
- Landmark