More information : (NU 2605) Lesser Hospital (Net income under #50) Existed until A.D.
1500 at Warkworth. (1)
A Hospital for the poor, aged and sick founded pre-A.D. 1292 at
Warkworth and dedicated to St John the Baptist, dissolved pre-A.D.
1537. The hospital had apparently been disused for some time in 1537
when it belonged to Hulne Priory (2 miles NW of Alnwick). The eastern portion of the township of Low Buston, comprising 55 acres in two or three grass closes, with a strip of link, until the decay or
demolition of the house (which remained until the last century) was
known as the Spital House and since that time has been known as the
Spital Closes. Since 1708 it has formed part of the Shortridge
Estate. In the 13th century the Spital was known as the Hospital of
St John Baptist at Warkworth. In 1292 a writ was brought against the
master of the hospital by a certain Laurence of Wooler to obtain 2
messnages and 24 acres of land in Low Buston. Mentioned in 1537,
1567, 1585; Spital House was sold in 1663 and in 1708. Not a stone of the house or building remains. (Two houses are shown on map at
approx. NU 24540867). (2-3)
NU 24540867. Two houses, which are shown in the map contained in T2
(c), have been sited approx to this position in the field named
Spitle. The field is at present just stubble and an examination of
the ground failed to reveal any traces of the buildings concerned.
AP's Nos. 541/A/479 3246-7 have been consulted, but no trace of the
hospital can be seen on them an no crop marks are visible. (4)
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