Hereford's Almshouses

St Giles's Hospital Almshouses
St Giles's Hospital Almshouses

Almshouses have been in existence for over a thousand years. The earliest were founded by the Church or by monasteries, and were dependent on donations of land or money as a result of appeals made by these bodies. Later almshouses sprang directly from the charitable inclinations of the wealthy who provided for them in their wills. They were generally intended to house the needy of the parish - the poor, the sick and the elderly.

Hereford is particularly well-endowed with almshouses, having over twenty groups of them. Many are administered by the Municipal Charities, established on 1st January 1886, by the Board of Charity Commissioners for England & Wales. The almshouses branch of the Municipal Charities is administered by twelve trustees, four of which are appointed by the City Council. Among those managed in this way are the Saint Giles', the Williams', the Trinity, the Lazarus Hospital and Price's Hospital. All now operate as a form of sheltered housing for the elderly.

Other notable surviving institutions include the Coningsby Hospital in Widemarsh Street, Aubrey's Almshouses in Berrington Street and Saint Ethelbert's Hospital in Castle Street.

Among those which fell into disuse, leading to their demolition were St Anthony's, The Weavers' Almshouses, Symonds' Hospital, Traherne's, Saint Martin's and the Trinity Almshouses. Of these, the most important was Trinity Almshouses which stood in what is today Commercial Street. Trinity was founded in 1607 by Thomas Kerry of Sherefield, Kent, for a Corporal, two unmarried men and twelve poor widows. These were nominated after Kerry's death by the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the city. The buildings were rebuilt in 1824 and until the time of their demolition in 1966, the occupants were paid ten shillings a year and received free coal. It is possible to confuse the Trinity Almshouses with the Kerry Almshouses which stood nearby and which were named after a local benefactor, James Carey (Kerry). This same Carey was commemorated in the name of the Kerry Arms, the popular pub which still stands opposite the end of Commercial Road.

Coningsby Hospital

One of the best known of Hereford's almshouses is the Coningsby Hospital in Widemarsh Street. The site was formerly occupied by a house of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, and parts of the hall and chapel date from this period, the 13th century. The almshouse was founded by Sir Thomas Coningsby of Hampton Court, Herefordshire, in 1614. Here he built twelve cottages with stone from parts of the existing structure as well as from the adjacent Blackfriars Abbey. This religious house had fallen into disrepair following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536 by Henry VIII and had subsequently passed by inheritance to Coningsby's wife, Philippa.

The Hospital was intended as a refuge for eleven "worn out" soldiers or mariners. The twelfth cottage was occupied by a man placed in charge of the pensioners and given the rank of Corporal. There was also a chaplain to administer to the pensioners spiritual needs who, Coningsby stipulated, had to be from Oxford University. They received free food, fuel, clothing and a small weekly allowance which was paid on Monday mornings after prayers. A uniform was provided which they were required to wear. It consisted of a ginger "fiston" suit, a hat with a white and red border, a military style jerkin, a "Monaco" or Spanish-style cap and a sword "for when he goeth abroad." The ensemble was completed by "a seemely gowne of redd cloth reaching downe to the ankle, lined likewise with redd baise." The twelve men were known as the Coningsby Servitors.

The Coningsby Hospital is still in use, although no longer a charity. Pensioners are entitled to wear the uniform and are chosen by interview. They must still be of good character and be retired servicemen or women or their surviving spouses. The Chapel is still in use as a place of worship and the old dining hall serves as a medieval museum.

The Lazarus Hospital

The Lazarus, situated in Whitecross Road, and also known as the Sickman's Hospital was founded for the maintenance of twelve poor people. It was built to house a religious order but was used as an almshouse for over 300 years. Its origins go back before the 16th century although the earliest endowments date from 1595, which suggests that the almshouses emerged following the suppression of the religious order which occupied the site.

Lingen Hospital

The Lingen Hospital is also situated in Whitecross Road although the original buildings are no longer standing. It was founded by Mrs Jane Shelley in 1609. In her will dated February 7th of the same year, the lady left a house and gardens for six poor widows. She also bequeathed œ30.00 a year which was raised from her other properties in Kenchester and Haymonds Farm. This was divided between the six widows. A further sum raised from other portions of her estate was earmarked for repairs. The cottages were of one storey, each with an attic, walls of stone and a tiled roof. They were restored in 1801 and again in 1849. They were eventually demolished and replaced by six Bricknell Webb built at the rear of Bricknell Close.

Saint Ethelbert's Hospital

This most venerable of the almshouses was founded in 1225 by one Canon Elyas. The original structure in Castle Street was built during the reign of Henry III as a home for ten old and poor people and was financed by the sale of indulgences granted by the Bishops of Hereford, Coventry, Salisbury and Ely.

The Hospital was rebuilt in 1805 as a neat stone gothic building with fine gardens reaching to the remainder of the Castle Moat. It housed ten elderly women who were required to attend morning and evening services at the Cathedral. One of their number was appointed "Portress" and was charged with keeping a watchful eye on the others. The women were equipped with a short capes and caps in which to attend the Cathedral where they had their own pew. Each received a loaf of bread a day and a penny on Sundays. The City also donated money raised from the stall charges at the Fair of St Denys. Today's pensioners continue to receive a token sum of 75 pence each Christmas.

The Trustees of St Ethelberts are the Dean and Chapter of Hereford Cathedral. Houses are allocated to women of exceptional character who have given service to the Church. There are now six houses converted to modern dwellings each furnished with emergency buttons with which to alert the Portress in the event of any mishap.

Saint Giles' Hospital

St Giles' Hospital in Saint Owen Street was founded in 1290 for the use of the Friars Grisey, a fraternity of monks. It became the property of the Knights Templar and later passed to the Crown. King Richard II donated it to the City of Hereford for use as an almshouse for five poor men. Each was granted a small patch of garden and a suit of clothes every three years. They were bound to attend services twice a week at the nearby Saint Giles' Chapel. This 12th century round church made way for the building of 1682, shown in the accompanying photograph by Alfred Watkins.

17th Century St Giles' Chapel 12th century Romanesque tympanum of the original chapel.

Originally this 17th century chapel stood on the corner of Saint Owen Street but was removed in 1927 and rebuilt next to the almshouses. In 1770 the almshouses themselves were entirely rebuilt over the site of a derilict medieval Synagogue. Built into the west wall of the terrace is a large, much worn, 12th century stone carving depicting Christ in Majesty, presumed to be part of the Romanesque tympanum of the original chapel.

Williams' Hospital

Williams' Hospital stands adjacent to Saint Giles' Hospital providing dwellings for six elderly men. It was founded in 1601 by Richard Williams, an attendant of Lord Cobhans. Williams also gave £1000.00 for its upkeep and in 1675 the houses were substantially renovated.

Prices Alshouses

These are to be found in Whitecross Road and are the result of a bequest by one William Price, a citizen and merchant of London. His will of November 3rd 1604 states that, "being sick in body but perfect of memory do make and declare this, my present will ... that out of moneys coming from the sale of said messuages, lands, tenements, etc., they shall procure and purchase sufficient corporation and licence of mortmain for the erection and establishing of an almshouse." The project was not completed until 1665 but contained ten dwellings, a chapel and a short wing at each end containing additional cottages.

Aubrey's Almshouses

This picturesque timber-framed group of six dwellings for "poor widows and single women of good character" stands in Berrington Street. They were founded by a Mrs Mary Price, in 1630 when she bought a property there called Wroughthall which possessed an orchard and several adjoining houses. Mrs Price died in 1638 and for forty years the charity was managed by her executor, a Mr Charles Booth and later by a Mr Elfe. It acquired its present name when a grand-daughter of Mr Elfe married Harcourt Aubrey, a wealthy landowner from Clehonger.

Twentieth Century Benefactions

Hereford's Almhouses
© 1988 Hereford City Council
An MSC Community Project Publication

Starblazer selected books about Alms Houses

Books about Alms Houses

Search for Shelter
Nora Richter Greer / Paperback / Published 1986
Almshouses of England and Wales
Brian J. Bailey / Hardcover / Published 1988
Houses of Noble Poverty
Brian Howson, National Association of Almshouses / Hardcover / Published 1993
© Starblazer 2001