God's House Hospital
| God's House Hospital | |
|---|---|
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| Alternative names | Domus Dei, Maison Dieu, God's House Hospice |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Southampton |
| Coordinates | 50°53′49″N 1°24′11″W / 50.897°N 1.403°W |
| Construction started | 12th century |
God's House Hospital was a refuge for poor travellers in Southampton, England. Much of the complex has now been destroyed, with only two buildings remaining: the gatehouse, a grade II listed scheduled ancient monument, and the chapel, a grade I listed building.
The hospital was founded in the 12th century by Gervase le Riche, Burgess and Portreeve of Southampton.
The Hospice, or Hospital of God's House - Domus Dei or Maison Dieu - was founded in the latter half of the 12th century by Gervase (or Gervaise) le Riche, Burgess and Portreeve of Southampton. In the Norman or Mediaeval Latin of that period, he is named Praepositus de Sudhanton. Gervase le Riche had one brother, Roger (possibly a twin), who was the first warden of God's House.
The reasons for le Riche's decision to found the hospital are not known. John Leland reported that the hospital was founded on the site of the founder's home. As portreeve, le Riche would be likely to live near the scene of his duties; his house would have opened directly onto the harbour, at a time when there was no wall running along Winkle Street from the Water Gate to God's House Gateway. The portreeve would step out of his house, through the wicket-gate, at once upon a pier or quay, against which the waters lapped at high tide, and where the official vessel awaited him for embarkation. Behind, and at the side of his house, along the present High Street, and up to Gloucester Square, stretched the garden and orchards. Nearby, at the other side, lay the Bowling Green.
The resident members of the Hospital consisted of a custos or warden, two or more priests, three or more brethren, some ten sisters, three or more poor men and women — who were to make themselves generally useful according to their health and strength. Besides these, there were various officials and servants necessary for so large an establishment, such as cook, barber surgeon, laundress, dairymaid, cowherd, shepherd, brewer, and swineherd. There appears to have been a large body of men, partially non-resident, who, acting as under-stewards, managed the various properties of the Hospital, and had to give account thereof to the warden. Attached to the establishment also were others, non-resident, living on the various farms and manors, and being unpaid, subsisted on the produce of the land which they tilled.
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