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Woody Memoranda.
It took me a little time to realise that, over all the years I have interacted with historic buildings and places, all the best journeys begin with a gateway. There’s something about the psychology of a gateway that absolutely intrigues me. They are portals, transitional places, and in-between spaces that offer a glimpse of what might be; yet, because of their bounded and circumscribed nature, they create a sense of mystery about what lies beyond, sparking the anticipation of the journey ahead.
Add to that a gateway encountered at first light in the empty streets of an ancient city, and the expectation becomes almost unbearable.
I’m standing outside an entrance to the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall which is one of the most exceptional surviving medieval guild halls. It continues to serve as the home of the Merchant Adventurers.
I'm about to be baptised by the shadows of a snicket fronted by winged horses. When I enter, I close the red doors behind me, and they glow with a mystical intensity.
Behind them, the latches are being pulled on the café doors, and the awnings set; in front of me, an archway envelops a simple vernacular building of heart-wrenching beauty.
And this is what the best portals do – they put the mind into an equilibrium, balanced between the joy of leaving the street and the anticipation of encountering the building in front.
Not far away, near Micklegate, Roman dedications to the Genius Loci – the spirit of place – have been discovered. Yet, for those seeking to truly experience, study, and capture the essence of a place, they need only come here.
Bounded by the River Foss, cradled beneath modernity on the ancient medieval floor levels, this place, more than most in York, invokes an otherworldly sense of respite – a sanctuary within a bustling city.
I’m here to photograph this place, to wander and observe, to use my lens as a divining rod, to articulate and interpret. As I walk through this time capsule, the day unravels like a sail in the wind, until the jib and rigging are stilled by the arborescent majesty of a 14th-century hall.
Here, the light is fluid – the clouds passing quickly outside. It engorges the floor, pulsing into the arcade of crown posts that unfurl like a waiter’s hand beneath a tray. I wait for the best light – the kind of light that electrifies the timbers – but I’m too early in my task, so I sit, wait, and watch. In and out it comes, framed by the sash.
And during this time, the pilgrims’ marks stay etched upon the timbers, the floral patterns embellish the framing and the ghost sconces burn into the panelling.
I’ve got time on my side, so I pull out my pen and ink. My hand mirrors the rhythm of light that resides in and then recedes from this place. Up and down I look, taking in the line of the post, the curve of a brace. Melliflous, this building courses through my arm and onto the paper.
And, as I sketch in the lines and look backwards and forwards, it starts to happen – peak light within the framing, the same light that helped Pegasus break its chains and fly along the gatehouse wall.
The timbers are alive and dancing within the hovering light.
And, as if all of these motions and effects are a key to unlocking another world, I see the timbers through the mind’s eye of those who crafted them. It’s as if the joy of their craft has been caught within Medusa’s gaze – surging, soaring, uplifting. This place is not merely a building, but a glade within a forest – the medieval artisan’s woody memoranda embedded within the street.
This is not a place to rush through or tick off on a bucket list. It is a place that rewards patience, a place to linger when others hurry past. To be here is to step into a world where time folds in on itself, where the genius loci appears to those willing to invest their time. In a world obsessed with speed and surface, this place beckons us to dwell, and to let its beauty unfurl as a gateway not just to the past, but to a profound sense of connection with those who came before.
I put my heart and soul into the Genius Loci Digest and it takes a day a week to produce. With your support, I’m able to keep this digest free and public facing. 📸🏛🚐
I'll be sharing more photographs of the Merchant Adventurers' Hall in a future digest, but I wanted to say how struck I was by the spirit of this place. It is a real sanctuary and it has one of the most evocative cafe's that I've come across on my travels.
When the Romans came to York, they carved their appreciation of this place’s genius loci into stone. I hope I have done the same through my photography of the Merchant Adventurers' Hall, capturing its unique spirit and beauty.
This project was brought to life through Member Powered Photography (MPP), and I am deeply grateful to all members for making this possible. Thank you for your continued support.
MPP allows me to photograph historic places and people for free. I'm committed to photograph a historic place for free anywhere in the UK for every 20 new tier members to the Digest.
The Genius Loci Digest Member Powered Photography has helped connect me to some remarkable people and places like the Merchant Adventurers' Hall.
Can you help me with Member Powered Photography?
MPP enables me to provide my professional services anywhere in the UK for free - to help others within the realm of the historic environment. It also helps support me and keep me on the road.
Heritage and The Arts have suffered terribly over the last decade and I thought it might be refreshing to work out a way of giving something back.
I'm afraid we've used up our last MPP slot and there's a waiting list for more shoots (hopefully to take place this year).
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Every 20 new members creates a new free slot.
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Andy Marshall
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People have very kindly sent in donations and made purchases in my shop. I am putting the money towards MPP. Here's the current status:
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How can I keep up to date with progress?
I share progress via the Digest and also via Members' communications. Members get to see exclusive media and information from each MPP site. I also have public status page.
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Thank You!
Photographs and words by Andy Marshall (unless otherwise stated). Most photographs are taken with Iphone 14 Pro and DJI Mini 3 Pro.
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