Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick
The Grade I listed Lord Leycester Hospital is one of the best preserved examples of medieval courtyard architecture in England, and is a charity supporting ex-servicemen.
The hospital started life as just the Chapel of St James the Great, which was built over the West Gate of Warwick in 1126 by Roger de Newburgh, 2nd Norman Earl of Warwick. In the late 14th century, it was rebuilt by the 12th Earl of Warwick. He granted the benefice of the Chapel in 1386 to the Guild of St George, a guild created on 20 April 1383 under licence from King Richard II.
The Guild of the Holy Trinity and the Guild of the Blessed Virgin Mary joined them to form the United Guilds of Warwick. Living quarters and public rooms were added to the chapel including the Great Hall. These form the courtyard of the Lord Leycester that we see today. The Guildhall was built in 1450 by Richard Neville "The Kingmaker", the 16th Earl of Warwick. It was primarily used as a private chamber where the Guilds met to discuss business.
Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick
The Grade I listed Lord Leycester Hospital is one of the best preserved examples of medieval courtyard architecture in England, and is a charity supporting ex-servicemen.
The hospital started life as just the Chapel of St James the Great, which was built over the West Gate of Warwick in 1126 by Roger de Newburgh, 2nd Norman Earl of Warwick. In the late 14th century, it was rebuilt by the 12th Earl of Warwick. He granted the benefice of the Chapel in 1386 to the Guild of St George, a guild created on 20 April 1383 under licence from King Richard II.
The Guild of the Holy Trinity and the Guild of the Blessed Virgin Mary joined them to form the United Guilds of Warwick. Living quarters and public rooms were added to the chapel including the Great Hall. These form the courtyard of the Lord Leycester that we see today. The Guildhall was built in 1450 by Richard Neville "The Kingmaker", the 16th Earl of Warwick. It was primarily used as a private chamber where the Guilds met to discuss business.