Medieval Hospitals in Kent

( 259 ) HOSPITALS IN KENT. BUCKLAND, NEAB DOVER. Leper Hospital, St. Bartholomew. Said to have been founded about 1150 by Osborne and Godwin, two of the monks of the Priory of St. Martin at Dover. Others say by Abp. Theobald, with the consent of the Prior and monks. A piece of land called Thega (opposite the old Wesleyan Chapel), on the west side of the London Road, was granted for the site of this hospital, on condition that all the inmates daily prayed for the monks of the Priory. In 1373 Thomas of Canterbury, the Sub-Prior of St. Martin's, with two of the monks (Robert Wells and John Hewsfield), drew up rules for the hospital and its possessions. CANTERBURY. Hospital of St. Lawrence. This hospital was on the south side of the Dover Road, and about a mile outside Canterbury, and was founded in 1137 (or 1149) by the Abbey of St. Augustine's, both for monks suffering from leprosy or other contagious diseases, and as an alms house for the poor relatives of both sexes of those monks. See The Antiquary, April 1910. Hospital of St. James. For a Master, three priests, a Prioress, and twenty-five leprous women, it was founded before 1164 by a medical man named Firmin, who was one of the household of Abp. Becket. It was at the further end of Wincheap and in the parish of Thanington. See The Antiquary, January and March 1911. Hospital of St. John the Baptist. Founded in 1084 by Abp. Lanfranc for poor, infirm, blind, or aged men and women. Continues to the present day as alms houses. 260 HOSPITALS IN KENT. The Chapel was dedicated to St. Mary, for Cristine Beneyt (or Benet), the widow of Robert Benet, who were both buried in the chancel of St. John in the Church of St. Mildred in Canterbury, and were the parents of William Benet, the second Mayor of Canterbury, by her will, proved 13 November 1419, gave to the high altar of St. Mary in the Hospital of Northgate one embroidered cloth. See Testamenta Cantiana, East Kent, p. 68. Eastbridge Hospital. Probably founded in the reign of Henry I. (1100—35), but became known as the Hospital of St. Thomas of Canterbury, after his canonization in 1173, as it gave a night's lodging and food to poor pilgrims who came in great numbers to his shrine. Continues to the present day as alms houses. The Chapel was dedicated to St. Mary. See Testamenta Cantiana, East Kent, p. 68. Hospital for Poor Priests, St. Mary. Although said to have been founded by Archdeacon Simon Langton (1227—48), this hospital was in existence in September 1224, when the Grey Friars first came, and they were entertained by Alexander the Master of this Hospital, who also gave to the Grey Friars a plot of ground and built for their use a chapel. Hospital of St. Nicholas and St. Katherine. Founded on the south side of St. Peter's Street about the year 1200 by William Cokyn, who about 1230 united it with Eastbridge Hospital. Maynard's Hospital, St. Mary. Founded in 1317 by John Maynard or Mayner, who was called " the Rich," for three brothers and four sisters, and endowed withrents in Canterbury to the value of £3 7s. a year and six acres of wood in Fordwich. Continues as alms houses to the present day. CHATHAM. Leper-Hospital, St. Bartholomew. ' Founded in 1078 by Gundulf, Bishop of-Rochester (1077— U08), for the relief of Lepers, and dedicated to St. Bartholomew. HOSPITALS IN KENT. 261 DARTFORD. Hospital of the Trinity. John Bamburgh, William Rothele (who died in 1464), Roger Jones, and Thomas Boost in 1452 had licence to found an alms house in honour of the Trinity for five poor persons, the Vicar and Churchwardens of Dartford being the Governors. In 1553 the revenue was £8 6s. 8d. (History of Kent, by Edward Hasted, vol. i., p. 227.) This hospital was built partly over the river, and the present house so built may possibly occupy the site. The Parish Church was the Chapel. (Boad from London to Canterbury, by Henry Littlehales, p. 16.) Leper Hospital. On descending the hill on the west side of Dartford, about halfway down, on the south side of the road is an almshouse, which is on the site of a leper house, whose endowment provides for the present time. (Boad from Canterbury to London, p. 14.) For bequests to this Hospital, see Testamenta Cantiana, West Kent, p. 18. In the first year of Henry VIII. (1509-10) the Manor of Temple in Dartford received from the Hospital of Lepers called Spitell House in Dartford, 12d. for the messuage where the lepers dwelt. (History of Kent, by Edward Hasted, vol. i., p. 227.) DOVER. The Domus Dei. This hospital for entertaining poor priests, strangers, and pilgrims, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded in the reign of King John (1199—1216) by Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent and Constable of Dover, 1202-3, and also from 1215 to 1232. HARBLEDOWN. Leper Hospital of St. Nicholas. This was the first Leper Hospital in Kent, being founded in the year 1071 by Abp. Lanfranc, for both men and women. See The Antiquary, November and December 1909, vol. v., New Series, 262 HOSPITALS IN KENT. HYTHE. Hospital of St. Bartholomew. Hamo de Hythe, a native of this place, and Bishop of Rochester (1319—52) in 1336: " On the site of the house where he and his parents were born, built an Hospital for the reception of ten poor persons of both sexes, and endowed it with an estate in land to the value of £10 per year." (History of Boohester, by S. Fisher, 1772, p. 145.) See Testamenta Cantiana, East Kent, p. 276. Hospital of St. Andrew. In March 1343 the Bishop of Rochester (Hamo de Hythe) wrote to the Prior and Convent of Christ Church at Canterbury about a loan of £20 to the poor of the Hospital of St. Andrew [sic] of Hythe. (Register L, 77b, in Letters of Christ Church, Canterbury, vol. i., p. 250.) MAIDSTONE. The Hospital, under the patronage of St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Thomas of Canterbury, was built in 1261 by Archbishop Boniface as a resting place for those travellers or pilgrims journeying to the shrine of St. Thomas at Canterbury. A portion of the chapel now remains (as the Church of St. Peter) and fragments of the other buildings may be found in old walls. See History of All Saints, Maidstone, by Rev. J. Cave-Browne, pp. 79—89. OSPRINGE. Domus Dei, St. Mary. Situated on the north side of Ospringe Street and in the parish of Faversham, founded by Henry III. about 1235, for a Master and three regular brothers of the Holy Cross and two secular clerks, to entertain poor and needy pilgrims and travellers, also to look after lepers, for whom a house was built on the south side of the street. This hospital in 1516 was made over to St. John's College, Cambridge. See Testamenta Cantiana, East Kent, p. 242. HOSPITALS IN KENT. 263 ROCHESTER. Hospital of St. Katherine. Founded in 1316 by Simon Potyn, master of the Crown Inn (for the crypt under this inn, see Vol. XXIV., p. 222). Simon Potyn by his will, dated in the Feast of Christmas 1316, when he was then living in the inn called the Crown in the parish of St. Clement, ordained a house with appurtenances called the Hospital of St. Katherine of Rochester, in the suburb of Eastgate, that if any man or woman of Rochester had leprosy or other disease that caused impotence and poverty they were to be received into the same Hospital, and there abide, by the alms of all Christian people. The hospital was to be under the governance of the Vicar of St. Nicholas, and the heirs of Simon Potyn, John St. Denys and his heirs, and the Bishop of Rochester; they were to appoint the Prior and remove him if necessary. All alms given were to be divided among the inmates, who were only to go out with the permission of the Prior and not after sunset, and they were not to haunt taverns or be disorderly. Every morning and evening they were to say Our Lady's Psalter for the welfare of the King, Simon Potyn, and all Christians. (History of Boohester, by S. Fisher, 1772, pp. 211-3.) See Testamenta Cantiana, West Kent, pp. 61—64. NEW ROMNEY. Leper Hospital of St. Stephen and St. Thomas of Canterbury. Adam de Charing between 1184 and 1190, in the time of Abp. Boniface, founded a certain Hospital for Lepers in the town of Romney, to which were given various lands, rents, and other possessions for the support of the lepers living in the same, and for one chaplain to celebrate divine service in the same hospital. But evil times coming, and especially because no lepers were to be met with, so that the hospital stood forsaken and divine service ceased, until in 1363 John, the son of Robert Fraunceys of Romney, restored the place for two priests, one to be the Master or Warden. (Register H, fol 49, printed in Letters of Christ Church, Canterbury, vol. ii., pp. 436—42.) Bologna, 22 April 1434. To Andrew Ayllewyn, perpetual Vicar of PrQmhill in the Diocese of Canterbury, Dispensation to hold for 264 HOSPITALS IN KENT. life with the said vicarage, value not exceeding £20 sterling (besides which he holds the chantry without cure of souls of St. Stephen and St. Thomas the Martyr by the town of Rommene in the said Diocese, called a Free Chapel, value not exceeding £25), auy other benefice with cure or otherwise incompatible, even if another parish church, and to resign them simply or for exchange, as often as he pleases, notwithstanding a constitution lately made by the Pope, 11 November 1431, whereby no one except certain persons as expressed therein shall in future be dispensed to hold two parish churches, unless they be so close together that they can be conveniently served by one person, and that their fruits, etc., do not exceed 24 gold florins. (Cal. Papal Registers, viii. (1427—47), p. 628, supplied by A. H. Taylor, Esq.) For other Masters, see Archmologia Cantiana, Vol. XIII., p. 249. In 1481 this hospital and its revenues was made over to the College of St. Mary Magdalene, Oxford. SANDWICH. Hospital of St. Anthony. This was for Lepers.—(See Testamenta Cantiana, East Kent, p. 294.) Hospital of St. Bartholomew. Situated on the west side of the road to Deal, this hospital consists of an ancient chapel, aud fifteen houses for the inmates, together with the farm house and buildings. There is a tradition that it was founded to commemorate the naval victory of the Ciuque Port ships under the leadership of Hubert de Burgh, over the French ships on the day of St. Bartholomew, 1217. See Testamenta Cantiana, East Kent, pp. 294—6. Hospital of St. John the Baptist. This hospital, which has also been rebuilt, stood on the northwest side of the Corn Market, and originally was one large building containing the hall and rooms for the brothers and sisters. It was in existence in 1282. See Testamenta Cantiana, East Kent, p. 296. Hospital of St. Thomas of Canterbury.—(See Testamenta Cantiana, East Kent, p. 297.) HOSPITALS IN KENT. 265 SEVENOAKS. Hospital of St. John the Baptist. William Sevenoke, grocer, who founded a Free School and Alms Houses at Sevenoaks, was Mayor of London in 1419, and at his death was buried in the Church of St. Martin on Ludgate Hill, where was a monument to his memory. (Newcourt, vol. i., p. 413.) This hospital was situated on the Dartford Road, near the site of the present Bat and Ball Station. The materials were used in building " Brooks," which in turn gave place to " Montreal " that was built by Jeffrey Amherst. (Old Sevenoaks, by F. Richards, 1901, pp. 42, 66.) The income in 1534 was of clear yearly value, with 26s. 8d. from the rent of the house and 18 acres of land adjoining, 7s. 2d. in rents fixed, and £ 6 9s. from the rent of eight acres of meadow and 60 acres of arable land, and 120 acres of pasture and marsh £8 9s. IOd.; less 16s. Bd. (Valor Eecl., p. 115.) On 30 November 1537 Abp. Thomas Cranmer granted certain properties to King Henry VIII., among them being " The advowson of the Hospital or Chapel of St. John in the parish of Sevenoaks ; and the advowson, donation, and nomination of one Chantry and Chantry priest in the parish church of Sevenoaks." (History of College of All Saints, Maidstone, by Beale Poste, 1847, p. 39.) William Hopkin, late Incumbent at Sevenoaks, in 1556 was receiving a pension of £6 a year. (Archmologia Cantiana, Vol. II., p. 63. Also see Vol. XXIII., p. 148, and Testamenta Cantiana, West Kent, p. 67.) STROOD. Hospital of St. Mary. The site of this hospital was on the north side of the street and known as " Newerk," founded in the year 1193 by Gilbert de Glanville, Bishop of Rochester (1185—1214), for the poor, weak, infirm, and impotent of the neighbourhood, or travellers from other parts, who were to be provided with beds, food and drink. The revenues were derived from the impropriations of the churches of Aylesford, HaUing, and St. Margaret's in Rochester, together with the small tithes of Strood. (History of Strood, by Henry Smetham, 1899, p. 129.) VOL. xxix, rr 266 HOSPITALS IN KENT, The clear income in 1534 was £52 19s. 10^. From the Rectory of Aylesford, £20 19s. Rectory of Hallyng, £9 10s. Vicarage of Strode, £8. Chapel of St. Blaise, Malling, £2. Rent of the manor or tenement called Hawkins in Strode, £10 12s. 6d. Lands, etc., in Strode, Hallyng, and Snodland, £11 12s. Total £62 13s. 6d., less the outgoings £9 13s. 8d. (Valor Ecel, p. 105.) See Testamenta Cantiana, West Kent, p. 77. Leper Hospital, St. Katherine. This hospital was situated at the top of Strood Hill, also then known as " Spitlal " Hill, on the south side of the highway at the place called White Ditch. The hospital, which was for both sexes, appears to have been called St. Katherine, whilst the chapel was dedicated to St. Bartholomew. Thomas de Woldham, Bishop of Rochester (1292—1317), by his will gave to the Lepers of the White Ditch, 6s. 8d. (Bygone Kent, pp. 75-6.) See Testamenta Cantiana, West Kent, pp. 62-3. TONG. Leper Hospital of St. James at Puckleshall. On the north side of Bapchild Street, which is within the parish of Tong, stood the Leper Hospital of St. James of Puckleshall, with its chapel and cemetery; it was much helped by the alms of pilgrims, but it possessed a small estate in Sheldwich, upon which there were forty-seven tenants in 1251. On the north side of the road at the east end of the village is (1897) a red brick wall and a barn-like building, which may perhaps occupy the site of this hospital. In the yard bones have been found where the soil has been dug. In the orchard is the well of St. Thomas, now called Springhead. (Boad from London to Canterbury, by Henry Littlehales, pp. 33-4.) Thomas Jeakyn, Vicar of Newington, in 1410 gave 6s. 8d. to this hospital. (Consistory Court Wills, vol. i., fol. 18.) Robert Brewer of Bapchild by his will, dated 15 April 1464, HOSPITALS IN KENT. 26*7 desired to be buried in the churchyard of the Chapel of the Hospital of St. James of Pokleshall, and gave 20s. to be distributed for his soul in the chapel of the abovesaid hospital ou the day of his burial. (Archdeaconry Wills, vol. i., 19.) Letters of Administration to collect the goods of Dom. Thomas, priest, Vicar of Rodmersham, were granted 25 August 1498 to Dom. John Slyth, chaplain of Puksall, and Dom. Peter Sare, vicar of Tong. (Archdeaconry Administrations, vol. i., 1487—1502, fol. 117.) John Smith of Borden in 1530 gave to the Hospital of Cheesehill [sie] 20d. to be prayed for there. (Archdeaconry Wills, vol. xix., 1.) In 3 and 4 Philip and Mary (1556-7), the Queen granted to Sir John Parot, knight, all that the Hospital of St. James of Puckeshall, with its appurtenances in Tong and Bapchild, late in the tenure of Richard Newton, to hold of the Queen as of the Manor of Greenwich by knight's service. (History of Kent, by Edward Hasted, vol. ii., p. 606.)