Hospital of St Cross

For the hospital in Warwickshire, see Hospital of St. Cross, Rugby.

The hospital and chapel seen from St Catherine's Hill

The Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty is a medieval almshouse in Winchester, Hampshire, England, founded between 1133 and 1136. It is the oldest charitable institution in the United Kingdom. The founder was Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester, grandson of William the Conqueror and younger brother to King Stephen of England.

Not only is it the oldest but it is also the largest medieval almshouse in Britain: it is built on the scale of an Oxford or Cambridge college, although is older than any of the colleges at those universities. It has been described as "England's oldest and most perfect almshouse". Most of the buildings and grounds are open to the public at certain times.

Charitable work

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The wayfarer's Dole, as in 2004

The Hospital still provides accommodation for a total of 25 elderly men known as "The Brothers" under the care of "The Master". They belong to either of two charitable foundations: those belonging to the Foundation of the Hospital of St Cross (founded in about 1132) wear black robes with a silver cross and square academic caps; those belonging to the Order of Noble Poverty (founded in 1445) wear claret red robes and trencher hats. They are sometimes called the "Black Brothers" and the "Red Brothers". Brothers must be single, widowed or divorced, and over 60 years of age. Preference is given to those in most need. They are expected to wear their gowns and attend daily morning prayers in the Church.

The Hospital continues an ancient tradition in the Wayfarer's Dole which consists of a small horn cup of ale and a piece of bread. The dole was started by a Cluniac monk and can be obtained by anyone who asks at the Porter's Lodge.

Architecture

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The hospital

The building is constructed of stone and surrounds two quadrangles. The smaller Outer Quadrangle to the north consists of: the outer gate (16th century); brewhouse (14th century); from the 15th century, the guest wing, kitchen (which had to produce food for the Master, 25 Brethren, 100 poor men and the servants); the porter's lodge and the three-storey Beaufort Tower of c. 1450. This has three niches above the arch, one of which still contains the weathered statue of Cardinal Beaufort who was Bishop of Winchester, and the tower and spaces above the porter's lodge used to be the Master of the almshouse lodging.

Passing beneath the tower the Inner Quadrangle is reached. The north range includes the 14th-century Brethren's Hall (which had to be large enough for the Brethren & 100 poor men), entered via a flight of steps in a stone porch. There is a timber screen with gallery above, within which is also a splendid timber roof, arch braced; a central hearth and a dais where the Master dined with the Brethren in the main part of the hall; and a wooden staircase leading to the Master's rooms in the south-east corner. The main set of two-storeyed lodgings are on the north-west and west sides of the quadrangle; these house the 25 inmates and are notable for the tall, regularly spaced chimneys and doorways, each leading to four sets of apartments. There used to be a corresponding range on the south side joined to the church, but this was demolished in the 1760s. The east range of timber framing and brick with stone windows is a 16th-century long gallery for the use of the Master raised on a cloister open to the quadrangle, which leads to an entrance to the church.

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The church

The 12th- and 13th-century church in the south-east corner is more like a miniature cathedral than a typical almshouse chapel. The building is stone-vaulted throughout, with transepts and a central tower. The walls are over a metre thick, made from stone from Caen, Dorset, and the Isle of Wight as well as local flint. The roof is lead. The building is in Transitional Norman/Gothic style. Started in 1135, the chancel was the first part, built two bays deep with aisles. This is typically Norman, with round-headed windows and much chevron ornament. But the main arches in the arcade and beneath the central tower are slightly pointed in the Gothic manner. The three-bay aisled nave and transepts continue the style. Between 1383 and 1385 a large tracery window was inserted in the west front, and the clerestory windows in the nave were enlarged and a north porch added. Several medieval encaustic tiles survive on the floor. There are also traces of medieval wall paintings. The stained glass is mainly 19th century. The font came from the nearby St Faith's Church, which was demolished in 1507.

The complex has been listed as grade I by English Heritage.

Media

The Hospital was used in the filming of The Day of the Triffids. It was also featured on Songs of Praise.

Masters of the Hospital

• John Campden fl. 1399
• John Lockman (until 1807)

External links

• Official website
• Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty, Registered Charity no. 202751 at the Charity Commission

• Visit St Cross Village.