An old engraving of the Savoy Hospital (formerly the Savoy Palace), the Strand, London, England, UK in the 1600s seen from the River Thames. The Savoy Palace was the home of John of Gaunt until it was destroyed during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. It was here that Henry VII founded the Savoy Hospital for poor people. It was the most impressive hospital of its time in the country and the first to benefit from permanent medical staff. Each evening the gates were opened and the poor entered and were allotted a bed for the night. In the morning they left (though the sick were allowed to remain).
An old engraving of the Savoy Hospital (formerly the Savoy Palace), the Strand, London, England, UK in the 1600s seen from the River Thames. The Savoy Palace, considered the grandest townhouse of medieval London, was the residence of John of Gaunt until it was destroyed during rioting in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. It was situated between the Strand and the River Thames. It was here that Henry VII founded the Savoy Hospital for poor people, endowing it with land and leaving instructions for it in his will. It was the most impressive hospital of its time in the country and the first to benefit from permanent medical staff. It consisted of a large cruciform arrangement of dormitories, around which were placed the chapel and a tower. Each evening the gates were opened and the poor entered. In the dormitory they were allotted a bed for the night. The matron's staff saw that people were bathed and their clothing washed. In the morning they left (though the sick were allowed to remain). The hospital's fortunes waned in the 16th century. Buildings in the precincts were converted into houses for the nobility and tradesmen. During the English Civil War it served as a military hospital. When Charles II came to the throne, he re-established the Hospital under its former statutes. However, a commission appointed by King William III reported that the Hospital's main function, relief of the poor, was being utterly neglected. In 1702 the hospital foundation was dissolved.
Size: 3071px × 2577px
Location: Strand, London, England, UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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