York Historic Environment Record

Monk Bridge Maison Dieu.—There was a small hospital on Monk Bridge as early as 1350, in which year Edward III granted protection for the master and brethren of the hospital of lepers of St. Leonard on 'Monkbrig,' who had not sufficient to live on unless relieved by alms.

It was possibly refounded by Robert de Howm, citizen and merchant of York, who died in 1396, and in his will desired that Robert his son and all into whose hands certain of his lands should come were to 'uphold a house near Monk Bridge in Monkgate . . . which I have made into a hospital (ad hospitandum) for poor invalids of both sexes there, for the poor of which sort I have constructed twenty beds in the same, for the health of my soul and the souls of all faithful departed.' The will proceeds with directions that the house was to be maintained for 100 years after his death.

'Hospitals: York', in A History of the County of York: Volume 3, ed. William Page (London, 1974), pp. 336-352.

The lack of evidence concerning the leper hospital has led some scholars to belive it was relatively short lived and replaced by alater foundaiton. In 1396 Robert de Howme stated that he desired his heirs to 'uphold a house near Monkbridge on Monkate' which he had made into a hospital. The association with this foundaiton and the leper hoospital is not certain as a will for Thomas Bracebrig makes donations to York's four leper hspitals and the maison dieu pf Robert Howme in Monkgate. This suggests they were separate entities.

Information derived from SYO696

NMR, NMR data (Unassigned). SYO2214.

FAS, 2001, Britannia car park Heworth Green York (Unpublished document). SYO696.