Disir
Platinum Member
- Sep 30, 2011
- 28,003
- 9,608
- 910
It was previously thought that the Victorians destroyed the foundations of St Leonard’s Hospital (one of the largest and most important hospitals in medieval England) when building the theatre on the site. Last week these foundations have been uncovered. They are still intact and located underneath the stalls.
The City of York archaeologist has confirmed further excavation is needed. A longer time-frame has now been set to excavate an area of the stalls floor. Architects, De Matos Ryan, are now working on ideas for incorporating the archaeology into the new design of the theatre.
Ben Reeves chief archaeologist on the site said: "It is amazing that, considering all the alterations to the theatre since 1764, so much of the medieval hospital has survived under the stalls and elsewhere within the building. The remains are an exciting and important discovery for both archaeologists and the public, offering an opportunity to investigate and understand more about one of the city’s most fascinating and little understood sites."
Amazing medieval hospital find halts York panto plans From The Northern Echo
This is why I love the UK. They find something and whatever else is going on is moved, plans are changed, and most people have zero problems with it.
1137AD - 1539AD
The ruins of St. Leonards Hospital only hint at the significance of the Hospital in medieval York. Founded soon after the Norman Conquest, it was believed to be the largest medieval hospital in the north of England.
Remains of the hospital's undercroft can be accessed from the Museum Gardens, just to the right of the Museum Street entrance and contains some Roman and Medieval stonework.
The hospital was erected on the site of the former hospital St. Peters which was severely damaged in a fire in 1137. It was closely associated with the Minster, sharing the same grounds because it was so large. It was a self-sufficient building until the Reformation resulted in the religious aspects of hospitals being victimised and consequently St. Leonards was largely destroyed. This left York without a hospital from the time of Henry VIII to 1740.
St Leonard s Hospital History of York
The City of York archaeologist has confirmed further excavation is needed. A longer time-frame has now been set to excavate an area of the stalls floor. Architects, De Matos Ryan, are now working on ideas for incorporating the archaeology into the new design of the theatre.
Ben Reeves chief archaeologist on the site said: "It is amazing that, considering all the alterations to the theatre since 1764, so much of the medieval hospital has survived under the stalls and elsewhere within the building. The remains are an exciting and important discovery for both archaeologists and the public, offering an opportunity to investigate and understand more about one of the city’s most fascinating and little understood sites."
Amazing medieval hospital find halts York panto plans From The Northern Echo
This is why I love the UK. They find something and whatever else is going on is moved, plans are changed, and most people have zero problems with it.
1137AD - 1539AD
The ruins of St. Leonards Hospital only hint at the significance of the Hospital in medieval York. Founded soon after the Norman Conquest, it was believed to be the largest medieval hospital in the north of England.
Remains of the hospital's undercroft can be accessed from the Museum Gardens, just to the right of the Museum Street entrance and contains some Roman and Medieval stonework.
The hospital was erected on the site of the former hospital St. Peters which was severely damaged in a fire in 1137. It was closely associated with the Minster, sharing the same grounds because it was so large. It was a self-sufficient building until the Reformation resulted in the religious aspects of hospitals being victimised and consequently St. Leonards was largely destroyed. This left York without a hospital from the time of Henry VIII to 1740.
St Leonard s Hospital History of York
