InfoBritain

 

Eastbridge Hospital, Kent

Eastbridge Hospital in Canterbury's High Street, was founded in 1180 by Edward Fitz Odbold, a wealthy Canterbury merchant. He built it to provide accommodation for poor pilgrims, visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket. Becket who had been involved in a power struggle with Henry II, was killed in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. A few headstrong knights had overheard Henry II saying something like "who will rid me of this turbulent priest" and had taken their king at his word. Following Becket's murder, the Church, playing power politics, encouraged the image of Becket as a saint. He after all had been standing up for Church power in the face of royal authority. Pilgrims eagerly accepted the idea of Becket's saintliness, and flocked to Canterbury, often following the route of Becket's last journey from Southwark Cathedral along the Dover Road to Canterbury in Kent.

The hospital was probably in existence by 1172, and Rolph, the nephew of Thomas Becket was probably the first master. Wealthy pilgrims stayed in the Chequers of Hope, and other inns, but for those with little money, Eastbridge Hospital offered a place to rest after long and often dangerous journeys. Visitors today can see the undercroft where pilgrims would have slept, visible through the second doorway in the photo above. It is also possible to visit the two chapels on the upper floors, where services are still held. In the first chapel is a plaque showing the coat of arms of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. In 1569 Archbishop Matthew Parker established the Eastbridge Exhibition. This was a scholarship founded to send students at King's School Canterbury to Corpus Christi. The famous sixteenth century playwright Christopher Marlowe received this scholarship when he attended Corpus Christi. The scholarship is still being awarded to students of King's School today.

 

 

Directions: Eastbridge Hospital is easy to find, on Canterbury's High Street in Canterbury near the West Gate. This was the busiest gate into the city, and many pilgrims would have passed the door of the hospital. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Eastbridge Hospital.

Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm. At certain times services may be in progress. Visitors are welcome to join them. Greyfriars Chapel is open from Easter until the end of September 2pm - 4pm Monday to Saturday. The Franciscan Gardens are open all year until 5pm in summer, dusk in winter.

Address: Eastbridge Hospital, 25 High Street, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2BD

Access: There are steps down into the undercroft, and up to the chapels.

Contact:

telephone: 01227 471688

e-mail: info@eastbridgehospital.org.uk

web site: http://www.eastbridgehospital.org.uk/