S. John the Baptist

Community ID:

879

Alternate Names:

S. Mary and All the Saints was the community name at the time of its foundation. Later known as Hospital of S. John Without the North Gate.

Town:

Chester

Diocese:

Coventry (LI)

Region:

Cheshire

Medieval Location:

The hospital was located outside the town beyond North Gate, also called Foregate.

Modern Location:

Chester

Corporate Status:

Hospital

Dedication:

John the Baptist and S. Mary and All Saints (cited in the foundation document).

Date Founded:

1190 or later

Date Terminated:

1644

Religious Order:

The community was probably Augustinian at first.

Rule:

Augustinian

Foundation Information:

Ranulf III , Earl of Cheshire founded the hospital for the poor and the insane. Primarily it served poor men and women of Chester and in particular widows dependent upon alms. The founding also involved some brothers and a Prior.

Population Counts:

Between 1493 and 1496 there are 12 poor and sick men or women. When the community is terminated there are 6 consores who receive pensions. They are the widows of S. John's.

Patrons/Benefactors:

A clerk of the Black Prince, whose sister lived at the hospital, bequeathed 20 pounds to its prior in 1400.

Early Documents:

[1]The first document records the donation by Ranulf III to found the hospital. (After 1190.)

Secondary Sources:

The Victoria County History of the County of Chester3:180-83 available online at ">http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=39986&strquery=st.%2... [Victoria County History]
Dugdale's Monasticon Volume 6 Part 2
Hospital of St. John Baptist, Chester

Miscellaneous Information:

Sisters and brothers in the confraternity who are well enough wear habits and are buried in the community. After 1200 a woman not wearing a habit cares for the sick.

Contributors:

WRL Project

Contributors Notes:

Further research is necessary to confirm that this is a female community.

Date Started:

1190

Date Finished:

1644

Length:

1186