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Eastbridge Hospital, Canterbury

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, who flocked to the shrine of the martyred Archbishop Thomas Becket who was killed in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. 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 the 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 Christie 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 Christie. The famous sixteenth century playwright Christopher Marlowe received this scholarship when he attended Corpus Christie. The scholarship is still being awarded to students of King's School today.

Directions: Eastbridge Hospital is easy to find, right on the High Street 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: Eastbridge Hospital is open Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm. At certain times services may be in progress. Visitors are welcome to join them.

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

Contact:

phone: 01227471688

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