Chapter 3

There is just one other subject to mention, namely the common error that the low narrow windows often seen in our older parish churches, were to enable the Leper to hear the service, and to receive the Eucharist, said to have been handed out to him. In support of this we have but guess-work; of proof, there is none.

In concluding, it will not fail to be interesting, to quote a few words from so eminent an authority as Sir Risdon Bennett, M.D., LL.D., F.R.C.S., ex-President of the Royal College of Physicians:--"If we adopt the view that Leprosy is another instance of disease induced by the presence of a particular microbe or bacillus, as in so many other diseases now the subject of absorbing interest to both the professional and the non-professional public, we may account for most of the facts adduced in support of the various theories; especially if we admit that there is reason to believe that such microbes, or self-propagating infecting agents, vary greatly in the rapidity with which they permeate the body. For all observers allow, that as a rule _true leprosy_ is a disease of very slow development. In the Middle Ages it is certain that the belief in the contagion of the _true leprosy_ was very general, both among physicians and the common people; but it is also true that as medical science advanced, and the diagnosis of disease became more definite and reliable, this opinion lost ground, and was at length abandoned."

The efforts being made by the "Missions to Lepers in India" cannot be too strongly commended to the benevolently inclined. The Asylums or Lazar Houses at Almora, Dara, and elsewhere, in India, are entirely supported by this society, which has under its care above 100 Lepers, at the cost of only about £6 per annum for each adult.

If I have awakened an interest in this remarkable and unique subject, and at the same time, above all, excited a stronger feeling of sympathy for our brothers and sisters suffering at the present time from the disease--a living death--in various portions of the globe, my humble efforts will not have been in vain.

APPENDIX A.

NOTES.

[a] An obolus = a halfpenny.

[b] Bolted Corn was so-called from it being "boulted" or sifted in a bulter or bolter; this was a special cloth for the purpose of separating the fine flour from the bran, after the manner of a modern sieve. Bread made from un-bolted flour was known as "Tourte bread," bakers of such were not permitted by law to have a bolter, nor were they allowed to make white bread; nor were bakers of white bread to make "Tourte." The best kind of white bread was called Simnel, manchet, Pain demaign or payman, so-called from having an impress of our Lord upon it, the next best was the Wastell or Puff, the third and inferior sort was called Cocket or Light bread.

Black bread was known as "All Sorts."

Bakers might only make certain kinds of bread. A table called the Assize of Bread was set up in every city and town, showing the weight of each kind of loaf according to the law, according as the price of wheat varied from one shilling to twenty shillings per quarter. The weight of the loaves was 'set' each year by the Mayors or Bailiffs.

[c] The weight of bread is given as five marks, that is £3 6s. 8d., at one time pounds, shillings, and pence, took the place of our weights--pounds, ounces, and pennyweights, hence these loaves would weigh 3 pounds 6 ounces and 8 pennyweights. The price of bread never varied, but the weight did; contrary to the modern custom.

[d] Mess--a particular number or set who eat together. At the Inns of Court at the present day, a mess consists of four persons.

[e] This rather upsets the theory as to the origin of eating a goose at Michaelmas, connected with Queen Elizabeth and the news of the English victory over the Spanish Armada.

[f] Furmenty or Frumenty was made of new wheat boiled in milk and seasoned with sugar and spices.

[g] Ale, anciently was made of wheat, barley, and honey, the term was then applied exclusively to malt liquor. Hops are supposed to have been introduced into this country in 1524 from Flanders, and the term "Beer" was used to describe liquors brewed with an infusion of hops. The two terms are now generally used synonymously.

[h] The seven Canonical hours of the Church were:--

{ Mattins or Nocturns, usually sung between midnight and daybreak. (1) { Lauds, a service at daybreak following closely on and sometimes { joined to mattins.

(2) Prime, a later morning service, about six o'clock.

(3) Tierce, a service at nine o'clock.

(4) Sexts, a service at noon.

(5) Nones, a service at three in the afternoon.

(6) Vespers, a service at six in the evening.

(7) Compline, a service at eight or nine in the evening, being the last of the seven hours.

These seven offices were condensed in 1519 into two, our present Mattins and Evensong.

[i] A Paternoster is a chaplet of beads.

A Rosary comprises 15 Paternosters and Glorias, and 150 Ave Marias, divided into three parts, each of which contains five decades consisting of one paternoster, ten Ave Marias, and one Gloria, each preceded by the Creed.

[j] Similar Services and Masses for the Dead were sung over Monks and Nuns on retiring from the world to a Monastery or Nunnery. See Manuale ad usum Sarum.

[k] Russet was a coarse cloth of a reddish brown or grey colour, said by Henry de Knyghton c. 1380, to have been introduced into England by the Lollards.

Hall in his "Satires" says, "Russet clothes in the 16th century are indicative of countryfolk."

The tunic is a very ancient garment, it is found on the sculptures and paintings of Early Egypt; it was in constant use by the Greeks, and was ultimately adopted by the Romans. It was worn in this country, in a variety of forms and lengths until the end of the fifteenth century. (Costumes in England, by Fairholt, ed. by Hon. H. Dillon, Vol. II.)

[l] _Royal Mandate, enjoining the exclusion of Leprous persons front the City._

20 Edward III. A.D. 1346. Letter-Book F. fol. cxvi. (Latin.)

"EDWARD, by the grace of God, etc. Forasmuch as we have been given to understand, that many persons, as well of the city aforesaid, as others coming to the said city, being smitten with the blemish of leprosy, do publicly dwell among the other citizens and sound persons, and there continually abide; and do not hesitate to communicate with them, as well in public places as in private; and that some of them, endeavouring to contaminate others with that abominable blemish, (that so, to their own wretched solace, they may have the more fellows in suffering,) as well in the way of mutual communications, and by the contagion of their polluted breath, do so taint persons who are sound, both male and female, to the great injury of the people dwelling in the city, aforesaid, and the manifest peril of other persons to the same city resorting;--We, wishing in every way to provide against the evils and perils which from the cause aforesaid may unto the said city, and the whole of our realm, arise, do command you, strictly enjoining, that immediately on seeing these presents, you will cause it to be publicly proclaimed on our behalf in every Ward of the city aforesaid, and in the suburbs thereof, where you shall deem it expedient, that all persons who have such blemish, shall, within fifteen days from the date of these presents, quit the city and the suburbs aforesaid, on the peril which is thereunto attached, and betake themselves to places in the country, solitary, and notably distant from the said city and suburbs, and take up their dwelling there; seeking their victuals, through such sound persons as may think proper to attend thereto, wheresoever they may deem it expedient. And that no persons shall permit such leprous people to dwell within their houses and buildings in the City, and in the suburbs aforesaid, on pain of forfeiture of their said houses and buildings, and more grievous punishment on them by us to be inflicted, if they shall contravene the same. And further, taking with you certain discreet and lawful men who have the best knowledge of this disease, all those persons, as well as citizens as others, of whatever sex or condition they may be, whom, upon diligent examination in this behalf to be made, within the city and suburbs aforesaid you shall find to be smitten with the aforesaid blemish of leprosy, you are to cause to be removed from the communion of sound citizens and persons without delay, and taken to solitary places in the country, there, as above stated, to abide. And this, as you shall wish to keep yourself scatheless, and to avoid our heavy indignation, you are not to delay doing; and as to that which you shall have done herein, you are distinctly and openly to certify us in our Chancery under your seals, within the fifteen days next ensuing herefrom. Witness myself, at Westminster, the 15th day of March, in the 20th year of our reign in England, and of our reign in France the 7th."

Proclamation of this writ was made on the Wednesday next after the Feast of St. Gregory the Pope [12 March], in the 20th year aforesaid.

_The Porters of the City Gates sworn that they will prevent Lepers from entering the City._

49 Edward III. A.D. 1375. Letter-Book H. fol. xx. (Latin)

WILLIAM DUERHIRST, _barbir_, porter of Algate, and the several porters of Bisshopesgate, Crepulgate, Aldrichesgate, Neugate, Ludgate, Bridge Gate, and the [1]Postern,--were sworn before the Mayor and Recorder, on the Monday next after the Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle [24 August], in the 49th year etc., that they will well and trustily keep the Gates and Postern aforesaid, each in his own office and bailiwick; and will not allow lepers to enter the City, or to stay in the same, or in the suburbs thereof; and if anyone shall bring any leprous person to any such Gate, or to the Postern aforesaid, or if any lepers or leper shall come there, and wish to enter, such persons or person shall be prohibited by the porter from entering; and if, such prohibition notwithstanding, such persons or person shall attempt to enter, then they or he shall be distrained by their or his horses or horse, if they or he shall have any such, and by their outer garment; the which such persons or person are not to have back, without leave of the Mayor, for the time being. And if even then such persons or person shall attempt to enter, they or he shall be attached by their bodies or body, and in safe custody be kept, until as to such persons or person it shall by the Mayor, for the time being, have been otherwise ordained.

[1] Near the Tower.

And further, the same porters were told, on pain of the pillory, that they must well and trustily observe and keep this Ordinance, as aforesaid.

William Cook, [2]_forman_ at [3]Le Loke, and William Walssheman, _forman_ at Hakeney, were sworn that they will not bring lepers, or know of their being brought, into the City aforesaid; but that they will inform the said porters, and prevent the said lepers from entering, as far as they may.

[2] Foreman, or manager.

[3] The Lock, adjacent to Southwark; these were Lazar-houses for Lepers.

Memorials of London and London Life, XIII, XIV, and XV centuries, Riley.

In the _Liber Albus_ p. 273, is a regulation that no Leper is to be found in the city, night or day, on pain of imprisonment; alms were, however, to be collected for them on Sundays. Again on p. 590, are further regulations that Jews, Lepers, and Swine are to be driven out of the city.

[m] See Dr. Lanigan's Eccles. Hist. of Ireland vol. III. p. 83-88, Dublin 1822, quoted by Dr. Stewart in "Arch. Essays" 1872, ii.

[n] See vol. I. Surtees soc: pp. 37,41.

[o] A Sewer was an Usher. Vide Catholicon Anglicum.

See Dugdale's Mon: Angl. vi. 643, 2nd ed.

Lord Lyttleton's the Life of Henry II. etc. (London 1767) append of Documents iv. 220.

Leland's Itinerary iv. 105. (Hearnes ed.)

[p] See authorities quoted by Simpson in Arch. Essays, (ed. Stewart) ii. 115.

[q] See p. 179, ii. Arch. Essays, Simpson ed: ed Stewart.

[r] See Rot: Orig: in Curia Scacecrie Abbrev: i. 33, London 1805.

[s] See Dugdale's Mon: Angl: vi. 687. Cheon Hencia Knyghton, _Bod: Lib:_ ii. cap. 2. quoted by the late Sir J. G. Simpson, Bt. in Arch. Essays, ii.

[t] See Alex. Jenkin's, H. and Discrip: of the City of Exeter, etc. (1806) p. 384 quoted by Simpson.

[u] Simpson quotes Bellenden's Transl. of Boece, Chronikles of Scotland, ii. 102, ed. of 1821. Dempter's Hist. Eccles Gentis Scotorum (1627) p. 278, etc.

[v] See Fuller's Hist. of the Holy Warre (3rd ed. 1647) p. 94, quoted by Simpson. Notes and Queries 7th S viii. 218.

[w] See Orygynale Cronikil of Scotland, (Macpherson's ed.) ii. 136.

Simpson's Arch. Essays, ii. 113 et sq.

Froisart's Chron. of England etc., by Lord Berners (London 1812) i. 19.

A large number of other authorities are quoted by Simpson. Notes and

Queries, 7th S viii. 108, 217.

[x] See Notes and Queries, 7th S. viii. 108. Lingard's H. of England (1st ed.) iii. 315.

Rapin's H. of E. (ed. Tindal) ii. 185. Sharon Turner H. of E. ii. 272.

Duchesne's Hist. d'Angleterre, (Paris 1614) p. 1010. Strickland's Lives of the Queens of England iii. 114, and others quoted by Simpson, late Professor Thorold Rogers in Notes and Queries 7th S. viii. 278.

[y] Notes and Queries 7th S viii. 277.

[z] Notes and Queries 7th S viii. 363.

Leprosy was sometimes called Meselrie and Spiteluvel in the Middle Ages, see Catholicon Anglicum, a Leper, elefancia, missella, mesel. _ibid._ also Promptorium Parvulorum.

APPENDIX B.

ENGLISH LAZAR HOUSES.

BERKSHIRE.

Reading S. Mary Magdalene. Founded by Auchirius, 2nd Abbot, 1134, for 13 Lepers.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.

Aylesbury SS. John & Leonard. Founded by Robert Ilhale and others, _temp_ Henry I. & II. Fell into decay previous to 1360.

High Wycombe SS. Giles & Margaret. Founded _ante_ 13 Henry III.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE.

Cambridge SS. Anthony & Eligius. _Ante_ 1397.

Stourbridge S. Mary Magdalene. Suppressed 1497.

CORNWALL.

Bodmin S. Laurence, for 19 Lepers.

Launceston S. Leonard.

Liskeard S. Mary Magdalene.

CUMBERLAND.

Carlisle S. Nicholas. _Ante_ 1200, for 13 Lepers.

DERBYSHIRE.

Chesterfield S. Leonard. _Ante_ 1195.

Derby Maison Dieu. _Temp_ Henry II.

" S. Leonard.

Locko S. Mary Magdalene.

DEVONSHIRE.

Exeter S. Mary Magdalene. In being 1163.

Honiton S. Martin. Founded by Robert Chard, _last_ Abbot of Ford.

Pilton S. Margaret. Exists, though not for Lepers.

Plymouth Holy Trinity & S. Mary Magdalene.

Plymton S. Mary Magdalene. Founded in Edward II.

Tavistock S. Mary Magdalene.

DORSETSHIRE.

Allington S. Mary Magdalene.

Long Blandford

Lyme S. Mary & Holy Spirit. _Ante_ 1336.

DURHAM.

Badele, near Darlington _Ante_ 1195.

Sherburn Blessed Virgin, Lazarus, and his Two Sisters. Still existing. Founded by Hugh Pudsey, Bishop of Durham, 1181, for 65 Lepers.

ESSEX.

Colchester S. Mary Magdalene. Founded by Eudo, Seneschal of Henry I.

Ilford SS. Mary & Erkemould. By Abbess of Barking, _c._ 1190, for 13 Lepers.

Little Maldon S. Giles.

Southweald S. John the Baptist. Still going on as an almshouse.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

Bristol S. Lawrence.

" S. Mary Magdalene.

" S. John the Baptist. Founded by John Earl of Morton.

Gloucester S. Margaret; or, the Lepers of S. Sepulchre. _Ante_ 1320, for men and women.

S. George S. Leonard.

Tewkesbury _c._ John.

HAMPSHIRE.

Southampton S. Mary Magdalene. Founded 1173-4.

Winchester

HEREFORDSHIRE.

Hereford S. Giles.

HERTFORDSHIRE.

Baldock _Temp_ Henry III.

Berkhampstead S. John the Evangelist. For men and women.

Hoddesdon SS. Landers & Anthony. Founded 1391.

S. Albans S. Mary.

" S. John.

" S. Julian. Founded by Geoffrey de Gorham, 16th Abbot of S. Alban's. _Temp_ Henry I., between 1109 and 1146, for 6 Lepers.

HUNTINGTONSHIRE.

Huntingdon S. Margaret. Founded by Malcolm IV., King of Scotland, who died 1165.

KENT.

Bobbing

Boughton-under-Blean S. Nicholas.

Buckland-in-Dover S. Bartholomew. Founded 1141.

Canterbury S. Laurence. Founded by Hugh, Abbot of S. Augustine's in 1137, or _ante_ 1089.

" S. Nicholas.

Chatham S. Bartholomew. Founded by Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, or by Henry I. Goes on as a hospital. The chapel remains and is still used.

Dartford S. Mary Magdalene. Founded _c._ 1380.

Dartfort Holy Trinity.

Dover S. Bartholomew. Founded _c._ 1141.

Harbledon S. Nicholas. Founded by Lanfranc in 1084. For men and women. Still used, though not for Lepers.

Hythe S. Andrew. _Ante_ 1336.

Olford _Temp_ Henry III.

Ramsay, Old SS. Stephen and Thomas of Canterbury. Founded by Adam de Charing. _Temp_ Archbishop Baldwin.

Rochester S. Catherine. Founded by Simon Postyn 1316. Still going on, though not for Lepers.

Tannington S. James. _Ante_ 1189.

LANCASHIRE.

Lancaster S. Leonard Founded by John White, Earl of Moreton.

LEICESTERSHIRE.

Burton Lazars Blessed Virgin and S. Lazarus. Founded chiefly by Roger de Mowbray, _temp_ Stephen.

Leicester S. Leonard. Founded by William, son of Robert Blanchmains, _temp_ Richard I.

Stamford _Ante_ 1493.

Tilton Founded by Sir Wm. Burdett. Annexed to Burton Lazars _temp_ Henry II.

LINCOLNSHIRE.

Bassingthorpe

Lincoln Holy Innocents. Founded by Remegius, 1st Bishop, or Henry I. Annexed to Burton Lazars.

MIDDLESEX.

Bloomsbury S. Giles-in-the-Fields. Founded by Queen Matilda, 1101, for 40 Lepers.

Kingsland (Hackney)

Knightsbridge Holy Trinity?

London S. James'. Westminster. Founded _pre_ Conquest, for 14 Leprous maids; 8 men added at a later date (site of S. James' Palace.)

Savoy

Smithfield S. John of Jerusalem. Founded by Jordan Bristol and his wife, 1100.

Southwark

NORFOLK.

Choseley

Hardwick S. Lawrance.

Langwade

Little Snoring Founded 1380.

Lynn (6) S. Mary Magdalene. Founded by Peter the Chaplain, 1145, for 1 Prior and 12 brethren; 3 to be Lepers.

S. Nicholas. Men and women.

Cowgate

Gaywood

Setchhithe

West Lynn

Norwich (6) SS. Mary and Clement. S. Austin's Gate. (Still existing as the Pest House.)

S. Mary Magdalene. Founded by Herbert de Lozinga _ante_ 1119.

Without Fibriggate or S. Magdalene Gate.

" Nedham or S. Stephen's Gate.

" S. Giles' Gate.

" Westwyk or S. Benet's Gate.

Racheness-in-Southacre S. Bartholomew. _Ante_ 1216.

Thetford S. John. _Temp_ Edward I.

" S. Margaret. _C._ 1390.

Walsingham

Yarmouth Outside North Gate. _Ante_ 1314.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

Cotes, near Rockingham.

Cotton Far S. Leonard. Founded by William I.

Northampton S. Leonard. Founded by William I. 11th century. Men and women.

Peterborough S. Leonard. Founded in the reign of Stephen. _Ante_ 1154. Towcester S. Leonard. _C._ 1200.

NORTHUMBERLAND.

Bolton S. Thomas the Martyr or Holy Trinity. Founded by Robert de Ross of Hamlake. _Ante_ 1225, for 13 Lepers.

Hexham S. Giles. _C._ 1210.

Newcastle-on-Tyne S. Mary Magdalene.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

Blythe S. John the Evangelist. Founded by William de Cressy.

Nottingham S. John.

" S. Leonard.

OXFORDSHIRE.

Banbury S. John. _Temp_ John.

Crowmarsh

Oxford S. Bartholomew. Founded by Henry I. _Temp_ Henry I. _Ante_ 1200, for 12 Lepers.

S. Clement's S. Bartholomew.

SHROPSHIRE.

Bridgenorth S. James.

Shrewsbury S. Giles. Founded by Henry II. Men and women.

SOMERSETSHIRE.

Bath

Berrington

Bridgewater S. Giles.

Langport S. Mary Magdalene. _Ante_ 1310.

Selwood

Taunton

STAFFORDSHIRE.

Penkridge

Stafford S. Leonard.

" Henry II.

SUFFOLK.

Beccles S. Mary Magdalene. _C._ 1327.

Bury S. Edmunds S. Peter. _C._ 1327.

Dunwich Maison Dieu. (Chancel of Church remains.)

" S. James. _Ante_ 1199.

Eye S. Mary Magdalene. _C._ 1330.

Gorleston Existing 1372.

Ipswich S. James. _Temp_ John.

" S. Mary Magdalene.

Sudbury S. Leonard. Founded by John Colnays.

" S. Lazars. Founded by Amicia, Countess of Clare. _Temp_ John.

SURREY.

Newington Blessed Mary and S. Catharine.

SUSSEX.

Arundel Founded by Henry of Arundel. _Temp_ Edward II.

Beddington S. Mary Magdalene.

Bramber

Chichester SS. John & Mary Magdalene. _Temp_ Richard I.

Herting S. John the Baptist. _Ante_ 1199.

Shoreham S. James?

WARWICKSHIRE.

Coventry S. James.

" S. John.

Warwick S. Michael. Founded _c._ Henry I. or Stephen.

WESTMORELAND.

Appleby S. Leonard.

" S. Nicholas.

Kirby-in-Kendal S. Leonard.

Kirkby By Henry II.

WILTSHIRE.

Devizes Founded _ante_ 1207.

Cricklade S. John the Baptist.

Fuggleston SS. Giles and Anthony. Founded by Adelicia, 2nd Queen of Henry I., for men and women.

Maiden Bradley Blessed Virgin. Founded by Manasseh Biset. _Temp_ Stephen or Henry II., _c._ 1154, for "pore Lepers and women."

Marlborough S. John? For Lepers.

Wilton S. John. Founded 1217.

" S. Giles. Founded by Alicia or Adelicia, 2nd Queen of Henry I. 1217.

WORCESTERSHIRE.

Droitwich Founded by William de Donére. Edward I.

YORKSHIRE.

Bawtry S. Mary Magdalene. Founded by Robert Moreton, 1316.

Beverley S. Nicholas (without Keldgate Bar). _Ante_ 1286.

" " (without North Bar).

Brough S. Giles. Founded by Henry Fitz-Randolph of Ravenswood. _Temp_ Henry III. ? For Lepers.

Doncaster S. James. Founded by Manasseh Biset, _c._ 1154. For women.

Doncaster S. Nicholas.

Hedon Holy Sepulchre. Founded by Alan Fitz-Oubern, for men and women.

Hull Maison Dieu?

Hutton Locras, or Lowcross S. Leonard. Founded by William de Bernaldby.

Pontefract S. Mary Magdalene. _Temp_ Henry III.

Otley _Temp_ Henry II., or Edward II.

Ripon S. John. Founded by William I. 1068.

" S. Mary Magdalene. Archbishop Thurstan, 1139. Some parts, including chapel with its altar _in situ_, are left.

" S. Nicholas. Maude the Empress.

Sheffield S. Leonard.

Whitby S. John the Baptist. Founded by Abbot William de Percy, 1109. For one Leper[A].

[A] Who gave to it the wood and thorny ground adjacent to the spot. The building being for the habitation of one Leper only, one Orme being the first, was necessarily small. Orme was supplied with his provisions daily from the Abbey. After him Geoffrey Mansell, a Leprous monk of Whitby also lived here in solitude. On his death the hospital ceased to be used as a Lazar House, and was enlarged for the reception of several poor people both healthy and sick, Robert de Alnett being appointed master of it.

Yarm S. Nicholas. Founded by Robert de Brus, _c._ 1180.

York (4) S. Mary Magdalene.

" S. Nicholas. Early _c._ 1110. For men and women.

" S. Oswald. Founded by Bishop Oswald, 1268.

* * * * *

_This is not a complete list of all the Lazar Houses once existing in England, but has been hurriedly compiled from Dugdale's Mon. Ang. vol. vi.; Lewis' Top. Dic. of England; Promptorium Parvulorum; Historic Towns--Exeter, by Professor Freeman, and other sources._

* * * * *

JOHN HAGYARD, PRINTER, ST. NICHOLAS STREET, SCARBOROUGH.