Editing Hexham Old Gaol (section)

==History==
The gaol was commissioned by the [[Archbishop of York]], [[William Melton]]. It was designed in the [[Medieval architecture|Medieval style]], built in [[rubble masonry]] and was completed in January 1332.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/2641.html  |title=Hexham Moot Hall and Old Gaol |publisher=Gatehouse Gazetteer | access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>

The design involved a three-storey rectangular building facing onto Hallgate. On the ground floor, there was originally a doorway on the left: this was subsequently replaced by a bi-partite [[mullion]]ed window with cusped heads, and a new arched doorway with an [[architrave]] was inserted in the centre. The upper floors were originally largely blind: new fenestration was later added to these floors: on the first floor, additions included two pairs of [[lancet window]]s on the right and a single lancet window on the left, while on the second floor, additions included a bi-partite mullioned window with cusped heads on the right and two small single windows on the left. The building was surmounted by heavily [[corbel]]ed [[eaves]]. Internally, the principal rooms were the two vaulted cells in the basement. The spaces on the other floors were largely for the administration of the prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tynedaleheritage.org/Resources/GaolCrosSec.htm |title=Cross Section|publisher=Tynedale Heritage|access-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124234608/http://tynedaleheritage.org/Resources/GaolCrosSec.htm|archive-date=24 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The building held prisoners from [[Hexhamshire]] and, in the 16th century, also from the English [[Scottish Marches|Middle March]]: the prisoners were held in the gaol on a temporary basis awaiting their trial in the courtroom in the nearby [[Moot Hall, Hexham|Moot Hall]].<ref>{{NHLE|num= 1042577|desc=The Moot Hall|access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> The building remains one of the oldest purpose-built prisons in England.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.culture24.org.uk/ne000062 |title = Hexham Old Gaol |publisher= Culture24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022085142/http://www.culture24.org.uk/ne000062 |archive-date=22 October 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S3uc-tvxodUC&pg=PA212   |title= Warriors and Churchmen in the High Middle Ages Essays Presented to Karl Leyser |first= Timothy|last= Reuter|year=1992 |page=212|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-0826426758 }}</ref>

During the Hexham Riot in 1761, when a crowd protesting about changes in the criteria for serving in the [[Militia (Great Britain)|militia]], rioters were fired upon by troops from the North Yorkshire Militia in the Market Place. Some 45 protesters were killed, and many others were incarcerated in the gaol.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hexham Riot |url=http://www.ndfhs.org.uk/Articles/HexhamRiot.html |access-date=2008-11-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021052058/http://www.ndfhs.org.uk/Articles/HexhamRiot.html |archive-date=21 October 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/hexham-old-gaol/about-us/our-history/  |title=Hexham Old Gaol|publisher=Museums Northumberland|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref> After the prisoners had been transferred to [[Morpeth Court|Morpeth Gaol]], the prison closed in 1820.<ref name=tynedale>{{cite web|url=http://tynedaleheritage.org/Resources/GaolHist.htm  |title=The Old Gaol: outline history|publisher=Tynedale Heritage|access-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124031610/http://tynedaleheritage.org/Resources/GaolHist.htm|archive-date=24 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was then converted for use as a bank and a solicitor's office.<ref name=tynedale/>

The old gaol became the home of the 2nd Northumberland Rifle Volunteers when it was formed in 1860 and remained in use as such until [[Dare Wilson Barracks|Hencotes drill hall]] was completed in 1891.<ref name=tynedale/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F7y__ACbNigC&pg=PA192  | title= Tracing the Rifle Volunteers: A Guide for Military and Family Historians |first= Ray |last=Westlake|publisher=Pen and Sword Books|year= 2010 |page=192|isbn=978-1848842113}}</ref> During the [[World War II|Second World War]], it served as a [[fire lookout tower]].<ref name=tynedale/> The building reopened as a museum in 1980. Topics covered include archaeology, archives, costume and textiles, law and order, music, photography, social history, weapons and war. The collections include 15th and 16th century arms and armour, and objects of local historical interest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/explore/things-to-do/culture/museums/hexham-old-gaol |title = Hexham Old Gaol |publisher=Visit Northumberland|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref> The Border Library holds the "Butler Collection", which is a series of books, recordings and music relating to the culture of [[Scottish Borders|the Borders]], assembled by the former Chairman of the Northumbria Tourist Board, William Butler.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F72629|title=Butler, William, (fl 1960-1981), Director of Northumbria Tourist Board|publisher=National Archives|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>