Ancient carved oak arches, now filled by lattice windows, used to lead to the open market on the ground floor of the historic early-16th century Moot Hall on the seafront at Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England, UK.
Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England, UK: sculpted timber arches on the west side of the town’s historic early 16th century Moot Hall, now filled by lattice windows, used to lead to the open market on the ground floor. The four-centred arches each have oak spandrels carved with different motifs, while above them, a load-bearing beam with dentil decoration supports the overhanging or jettied upper floor. The Moot Hall, in Market Cross Place, was built around 1520 to shelter the open market. The ground floor also featured shops and two prison cells, which in 1645 were used to hold seven women accused of witchcraft. For the last 400 years, the Moot Hall has been the centre of civic administration in the town and Aldeburgh Town Council now shares both floors of the building with Aldeburgh Museum. The Tudor building was altered in 1654, then restored and partly rebuilt in the mid-1800s when an external staircase was added to the west side. On the first floor, the council chamber has chamfered tie beams on arched braces supporting a tiled roof. In the 1500s, Aldeburgh was an important port and flourishing shipbuilding centre. It gained borough status under Henry VIII, but declined as the River Alde silted up and large ships could no longer berth. Much of Tudor Aldeburgh was lost to coastal erosion, but the town survived on fishing until the 1800s, when it became a seaside resort. It is now best known as the home of composer Benjamin Britten (1913-76), and for its cultural activities, centred on the Snape Maltings arts complex and its international festival.
Size: 4054px × 2706px
Location: Moot Hall, Market Cross Place, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England, UK.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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