A bit more about York.

Here are a few more pictures of our visit to the city of York. Some may be repeats from yesterday, for which I apologise. These photos are of what remains of St Leonard’s hospital, which covered a lot of ground in the city, sharing grounds with the minster itself.

Back in the 10th century there was a hospital, St Peter’s, on the site. Of course it was St Peter’s as the minster is the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter. However, the hospital was severely damaged in a fire in 1137. (Fire seems to have been a problem in York, as the Minster itself was damaged by fire in 1829 (arson) and 1840 (accidental) and again in 1984. On that last occasion some traditionalist Anglicans suggested the fire was a sign of divine displeasure at the recent consecration as Bishop of Durham of David Jenkins, whose views they disapproved of. It’s amazing how intolerant the followers of Jesus can be!)

 

In 1137 St Leonard’s was erected on the site of St Peter’s.  It was the largest hospital in medieval England, with 225 beds and 70 staff.

Much of the work of the hospital was caring for and feeding the  old, the poor and the chronically sick. Indeed, the story goes that the sick could not have their illnesses treated until or unless they confessed their sins. If they kept to the religious rules though they were promised a more or less guaranteed place in heaven. 

 

The hospital had high ceilings and large windows because of medieval medical belief that illness was caused by “bad air” and that good circulation of air would help recovery. 

Saint Leonard’s has a bit of medieval scandal too.: 

“According to folklore, a monk at St Leonard’s was prone to revelry. Discovered drunk amongst the townsfolk, his punishment was decreed by the prior: to be walled up alive within the hospital’s cellars. Once imprisoned, the monk pushed his way through a rotten wall to the cellar of St Mary’s Abbey next door, where he passed himself off as a newly-arrived novice monk. After a year, he was made cellarer and put in charge of the abbey’s food and wine. Sure enough, he was caught drinking the abbey’s supplies and once again, as punishment, sealed up alive within the abbey’s cellar walls. The cellarer at St Leonard’s heard singing, unblocked the wall and found the monk still alive a year on. Thinking this a miracle, the monks rejoiced and made him prior of the hospital.” 

Boy! They knew how to punish turning work events into parties in those days!  

Not much remains of the building because the buildings because of the reformation. Good old Henry VIII had monasteries and convents destroyed and their wealth confiscated. Because the hospital was connected to the church it suffered the same fate in 1539. The city of York was left without a hospital until 1740. 

Perhaps good old Henry was an early Tory, cutting health services! 

That’s enough Yorkshire tourism for today. 

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!