Here’s the little leper chapel in the Saltisford at Warwick, part of the remains of the Hospital of St. Michael (founded in the 13th century). Such hospitals were originally set up by monastic foundations to care for the poor, the sick and the old, but many were dissolved during the Reformation. Richard Fisher took over the hospital from the Crown in 1535. By 1586 three families were being supported with 20s a year from St Michael’s Hospital funds, including 70-year old Ellen Clark who was ‘Lame and Beggith’ and John Harbet and his wife who had an 18-year old ‘ideot’ son. Most of the rest of St Michael’s Hospital has disappeared, but the master’s house – a timber-framed building of historic importance – is currently shrouded in plastic and appears to be in urgent need of care and restoration. One of the current Hospitals in Warwick takes its name from this ancient hospital.
Used as an almshouse
Leper chapels were designed to allow the sick to participate in religious services without infecting other people. This chapel has been reroofed and conserved (but is not open to the public). The remains of St. Michael’s Hospital in Warwick (possibly this little chapel): ‘were appropriated as an almshouse for old women’ in the 19th century.
References: The Book of John Fisher, Warwickshire County Record Office, B WAR Kem, p. 167; F. White & Co., History, Gazetteer and Directory of Warwickshire, Sheffield, 1874, p. 207.
Comments
I was left, many years ago, the brass bowls etc that were in the little leper hospital in Warwick.
Many thanks for that comment Daphne: if you are able to send in a photo of the bowls etc. we could add it to the site. Since I wrote this piece I’ve discovered that the Saltisford almshouses (now demolished) were in effect wrapped around this little chapel so I’m adding a photo of them.
Hi Anne, I’ve been fascinated about these old buildings in Warwick. It’s a fun hobby of mine to explore derelict and old places. I have a camera which I’ve been dying to use and fancy doing some exploring myself, do you have any tips?
I think I found an old tunnel entrance, but didn’t feel comfortable going in un-invited, is there a way to find out who owns these properties, to request access?
Hi Mike,
I think most get taken from the public highway, or at places open to the public. If you wanted to explore a private site then the land registry should offer up who owns the land… but there is a charge for using that, of course.
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