| Summary : Ruins of a Medieval hospital probably built by Eustace de Vescy between 1193 and 1216. It was an independent hospital until 1376 when it was annexed by the Premonstratensian Alnwick Abbey. It is last mentioned in 1457 and had probably fallen into decay before the Reformation.The chapel, consisting of nave and chancel, and domestic buildings to the south survive as ruins, and was largely reconstructed after 1845 by the Duke of Northumberland's architect, F R Wilson, only the lower course being unaltered. |
More information : (NU 18791438) St Leonard's Hospital (Premonstratensian)(GT)
(Remains of). (1)
The hospital was founded between 1193 and 1216 by Eustace de Vescy
for the poor, aged and sick. It continued as an independent
religious establishment until 1376 when it was annexed to Alnwick
Abbey (Premonstratensian). It is mentioned in 1457. The hospital
probably fell into decay before the Reformation (c 1535).
All traces of the building had been lost until 1845 when foundations
were discovered when ploughing a field called Radcliff's Close. The
ploughing revealed the foundations of a chapel and other buildings,
carved stones, a holy water vase, an ancient well (Malcolm's Well NU 11 SE 3), a burial ground, stone coffin, and upwards of 20 skeletons.
The chapel consisted of a nave and chancel, the former being 22ft
long x 27ft wide, and the latter 15ft long x 16ft wide; at the west
end appears to have been a chamber 13ft long. Foundations of the
domestic buildings are traceable near the chapel on the south side.
The building fragments are part of the original hospital, being of
late Norman architecture. They have been built up by Mr F R Wilson
architect to the Duke of Northumberland to reproduce, to some
extent, features of the original building. (2-3)
The remains of the chapel have been reconstructed and as such do not
constitute an antiquity except that a plinth course on the south
side at ground level may be original. The foundations to the south
of the chapel are in the form of a sub-divided rectangular building
measuring 30.0 m x 6.0 m with grass covered walling 1.0 m wide and 0.3 m high. (4)
The field name "Radcliff's Close" could not be authenticated during
field investigation. Tithe and Estate maps were consulted. (5)
Condition unchanged. Foundations of domestic buildings on south
side surveyed at 1:2500. (6)
Ruins of St Leonard's Hospital. Grade II. (7)
NU 188 144. St Leonard's Hospital, Alnwick. Scheduled No ND/58. (8)
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