One of the most interesting building's of Warwick to survive the great fire in 1694 is the Lord Leycester Hospital. This historic group of building's that date from the 12th and 16th centuries and have been used as a guildhall, council chamber and grammar school. They are now dominated by the ancient Chantry Chapel of St James, built over the West Gate into Warwick by Thomas Beauchamp, 12th Earl of Warwick, in the latter half of the 14th Century.
In 1571, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leycester (leicester) acquired the buildings and founded the Hospital, or almshouses, for those wounded in the service of the Queen and her successors. The accommodation was for a Master in charge and 12 Brethren. Parts of the buildings, including the Guildhall itself, were divided into primitive quarters. These arrangements remained unchanged until 1950, when the Guildhall was cleared and the number of Brethren temporarily reduced to five.
The tiny courtyard is surrounded by Elizabethan gables and a half-timbered building with overhanging gallery. Next to the hospital is the westgate, part of the original medieval wall, and above it is the hospital's chapel which was founded in 1123.
a Historic Market Town in the county of Warwickshire
(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)Warwick offers its visitors the chance to explore England's fascinating history with fine medieval buildings and a truly magnificent castle...
in the county of Warwickshire
(2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction E)This town has a history stretching back to the Doomsday Book, but it was Queen Victoria who put the "Royal" into Leamington Spa when she bestowed the title in 1838...
in the county of Warwickshire
(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction N)Kenilworth is a pleasant town located in the spacious Warwickshire countryside, it is a town with an 'air of gentility' that tells you that this is a prosperous place with a long, illustrious history...
a Historic Market Town in the county of Warwickshire
(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction W)Hidden deep amonst the leafy lanes of Warwickshire, close to what little remains of the ancient Forest of Arden, lies the pleasant Market town of Henley-in-Arden...
in the county of West Midlands
(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction N)Coventry has been at the heart of industry for many decades and has a great industrial past...
All towns in Warwickshire
A charming 17th century mansion displaying folk life and costume, with period reconstructions of a Victorian parlour, kitchen and.....
St Marys Church is believed to date back to pre norman times. Roger Earl of Warwick made it a collegiate church in 1123, giving.....
Lovely in the summer, St Nicholas park contains a crazy golf course, childrens train, amusements, paddling pool and boats for.....
The Warwickshire County Museum is housed in the Market Hall which was built in 1670. It was built on arches to allow for stalls.....
The black and white fronted Oken's House houses one of the finest collections of early dolls and toys in the country. It was the.....
