Browne's Hospital, Stamford

Browne's Hospital, Stamford is a historic hospital and almshouse located in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. Founded in 1475 by William Browne, a wealthy wool merchant of Stamford, it is a well-preserved example of a medieval bedehouse.

History

William Browne and his wife, Margaret, established Browne's Hospital in 1475. The couple, who had no children, intended the hospital to serve as a home for poor men and women. The original statutes stipulated that the hospital should house ten poor men and two poor women, with a master and a confrater, who were to pray for the Browne family.

Architecture

The hospital is built around a quadrangular courtyard, with the chapel occupying the north range. The buildings are constructed of limestone, with Collyweston slate roofs. The hospital's architectural features include a fine timber roof, a notable series of 15th-century stained glass, and a rare surviving example of a medieval frater, or dining hall.

Today

Today, Browne's Hospital functions as an almshouse, providing accommodation for elderly people in need. It is also open to the public as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of its medieval residents.

See also

• List of hospitals in England
• History of hospitals
• Almshouse