HEXHAM CASTLE

Northumbria

This curious building is not often known as Hexham Castle - it is known as either the "Manor Office" or most commonly "The Old Town Gaol" - however, together with the nearby Moot Hall they formed a kind of fortified administrative centre for "Hexhamshire"; a part of Northumbria traditionally under the aegis of the Archbishops of York.

The Moot Hall dates to around 1400 and forms a kind of Gatehouse protected with towers at either end.  The Old Town Gaol looks like, and indeed is constructed like, many other pele tower type constructions in the area and dates to 1330 when it was expressly built to serve as a Gaol.  It is almost unique as a purpose-built medieval prison, but it certainly never suffered from a lack of inmates.

In 1538 a band of reivers managed to break in and free their comrades, this constituting the only major action the "Castle" ever saw.

The Old Town Gaol today operates as a small museum.  A visit to Hexham should be completed by looking around Hexham Priory Church.

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2001