St Leonard’s Hospital in York

There have been two reports online recently about the discovery of foundations of part of the buildings of the medieval Saint Leonard‘s Hospital in York. 

This late Anglo-Saxon foundation survived until the dissolution of the monasteries and related institutions in the sixteenth century. Unlike the great mediaeval hospitals of London this York foundation was suppressed and largely destroyed. Although parts of the site have been investigated since the early nineteenth century the only remains above ground out of part of the gate house and the adjoining chapel, dated to about 1240, adjacent to the City Library. The remainder lies under.Duncombe Place, the Theatre Royal and adjoinhg buildings, and adjacent to the York Oratory.

The VCH for York has an article describing the various religious precinct of the mediaeval city, including that of St Leonard’s, together with a map. This can be accessed here

There is more about the history and buildings of the hospital from the York Archives at History in the remains: A look at St. Leonard’s hospital

By 1300 the Hospital had up to 225 inmates, ministered to by thirteen chaplains and eight sisters. However in 1350 the buildings were said to be in great disrepair. 

I recall reading in the VCH volume on the City of York - which I cannot find online - that a few days before the battle of Towton in 1461 King Henry VI and Queen Margaret together with the Dukes of Somerset and Exeter, and, I assume, others of the Lancastrian court, attended Vespers in the chapel of St Leonard’s.

In 1515 the chapel and other buildings were described as dilapidated. The foundation was surrendered to the Crown in 1540, and after sale and repurchase a branch of the Royal Mint was established on part of the site in 1546.

In January 1556 the City Council petitioned Cardinal Pole for the re-establishment of the Hospital, but without success before the end of the Marian Restoration.

The recent online articles can be seen, from Archaeology Magazine, at Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest and, in a very similar account, from GB News at Archaeologists discover remains of medieval England's largest hospital after sinkhole opens up in historic British city