Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr, Eastbridge, Canterbury, was founded c1170 as an almshouse and for travellers and poor pilgrims. The Hospital of St Nicholas and Katherine, founded c1193, was united with it in 1203. The remains comprise the undercroft, refectory and a chapel

Monument Types

• ALMSHOUSE (HOSPITAL, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• HOSPITAL (Medieval to Modern - 1180 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 15 NW 59:
[TR 14785791] Eastbridge Hospital [NR]. (1) The Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr, Eastbridge, Canterbury, was founded c1170 as an almshouse and for travellers and poor pilgrims. The Hospital of St Nicholas and Katherine, founded c1193, was united with it in 1203. [TR 15 NW 263]. (2-3) The remains comprise the undercroft, refectory and a chapel, the latter in daily use. In good condition; open to the public. (4) Nos 25 & 26 High Street, Eastbridge Hospital. Grade I. Founded in 1180 for the needs of poor pilgrims to the shrine of St Thomas Becket. Restored 1827-1832. In the C14 a chantry chapel was added, and after the Dissolution the building was turned into almshouses. The hall and undercroft, originally the dormitory, date from about 1180. (For full details see list). (5) Additional bibliography. (6-10) Additional bibliography - not consulted. (10-12)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 944 HIGH STREET (South West Side)
Nos 25 & 26 (Eastbridge Hospital) TR 1457 NE 4/18
I GV
2. Founded in 1180 for the needs of poor pilgrims to the shrine of St Thomas Becket. Restored 1927-1832. 12 pilgrims were accommodated here each night and were charged 4d for board and lodgings. In the C14 a chantry chapel was added, and after the Dissolution the building was turned into almshouses. The exterior is built in 2 portions. The left side is 2 storeys high faced with knapped flint and having stone quoins. Tiled roof with crenellated parapet. 3 early Perpendicular windows with reticulated tracery set in stone surrounds. 4 arched C14 door set in an earlier round-arched C12 door. The right hand side is a timber-framed building but with an early C19 facade to the High Street. 3 storeys red brick with crenellated parapet. 4 lancet windows, some double, some triple with diamond panes. Brick plinth. The rear elevation of this part is C17 and tile humg. 2 to 3 storeys with a slate roof in hips and restored sash windows. The hall and undercoft date from about 1180. The undercroft was originally the dormitory and is groin-vaulted. It is 5 by 2 bays on short round piers with round ball caps and moulded bases. This is a form which was first introduced in 1179 in William the Englishman's crypt. There is C13 mural on the north wall of a seated figure of Christ in an almond-shaped surround with the symbols of the 4 Evangelists. The south wall has late C16 painted panels with strapwork and shields of arms. The chapel upstairs has a fine crown post roof.
Nos 25 to 29 (consec) & Cottages situated to south west of main Eastbridge Hospital Building form a group. Listing NGR: TR1478857916 (13)

English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<1> OS 1/2500 1957 (OS Card Reference). SKE48127.

<2> MRH Eng & Wales 1953 262 (D Knowles & RN Hadcock) (OS Card Reference). SKE47436.

<3> Arch J 861929 102-4 plan (WH Godfrey) (OS Card Reference). SKE36747.

<4> F1 FGA 01-FEB-65 (OS Card Reference). SKE42878.

<5> DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Kent Sept 1973 102 (OS Card Reference). SKE39981.

<6> MRH Eng & Wales 1971 317 350 (D Knowles & RN Hadcock) (OS Card Reference). SKE47438.

<7> VCH Kent Vol 2 1926 214-16 (RC Fowler) (OS Card Reference). SKE51205.

<8> BOE NE & E Kent 1983 253-254 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38209.

<9> Arch J 126 1969 237 (WG Urry) (OS Card Reference). SKE36545.

<10> Arch Cant 101 1984 (J Bowen and T Tatton-Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE34552.

<11> Bib Topo Brit 1 1780-90 xxx 297-419 (OS Card Reference). SKE37644.

<12> Tanner's Notitia Monastica 1787 Kent xii 6 (Naismith) (OS Card Reference). SKE49808.

Sources and further reading