Great Chart Leper Hospital The Great Chart Leper Hospital was a medieval hospital in Great Chart, Kent, England, that was founded in the 13th century. It was one of many leper hospitals that were established in England and Europe during the Middle Ages to care for people who were suffering from leprosy, a contagious disease that causes skin lesions, nerve damage, and other health problems.
The leper hospital at Great Chart was a complex of buildings that included a chapel, a dormitory for the lepers, a kitchen, and a infirmary. The lepers were isolated from the rest of the community to prevent the spread of the disease. They were provided with food, clothing, and medical care, and they were also given religious instruction.
The leper hospital at Great Chart was in operation for over 500 years, until it was closed in the 18th century. The site of the hospital is now a private house.
Great Chart Church The Great Chart Church is a medieval church that is located next to the site of the former leper hospital. The church was built in the 12th century and has been extensively modified over the centuries. It is a Grade I listed building, which means that it is considered to be of special architectural or historical interest.
The church is a single-cell building with a nave and a chancel. It has a round tower that was added in the 15th century. The interior of the church is decorated with a variety of stained glass windows, including a window that commemorates the lepers who were cared for at the hospital.
The Great Chart Church is a popular tourist destination, and it is open to the public for tours.
Combined Significance
The Great Chart Leper Hospital and Church are important historical sites that provide insights into the medieval treatment of leprosy and the role of religion in medieval society. The hospital was a place of care and compassion for people who were suffering from a debilitating disease, and the church provided spiritual support to the hospital's patients and the wider community.
The juxtaposition of the leper hospital and church highlights the duality of medieval society, which was both compassionate and discriminatory towards people with leprosy. The hospital was a place of healing and acceptance, while the church reinforced the stigma associated with the disease.
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