York Historic Environment Record

Whitefriars Lane Maison Dieu.—This house is said to have been founded by John Holme in 1472. On 7 September 1481 Archbishop Rotherham granted a forty days' indulgence to all those who, having confessed their sins, contributed to the maintenance and refection of the poor of either sex in a certain house called 'Masyndew in le Whit Friar layn,' York.

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

Close to Stonebow Lane was Whtie Friar Lane, but its exact position can no longer be determined. In this lane stood a Maison Dieu, founded by John de Howme, whose will is dated 20th April, 1490. It's first recordedmention is in the will of Ralph Moyses in 1471. On 7th September 1481, an indulgence of forty days was granted to all those who helped to maintain and feed the poor in the house. In 1485 Richard Kirketon in his will gav his garden in Whitefriar Lane to his executors on condition that all the poor in the Maison Dieu of John de Howme might have part of the garden given to them, with free entrance and exit. In 1487 John Care left a bed to the poor. In 1575 an order is given to 'dresse the layne called White Freers layne and so kepe it clene every week'.

Raine. 1955. Medieval York. Pp 62-3

NMR Information

Almshouse founded in 1472 by John Holme for poor men and women, for whom an indulgence was granted in 1481.

Sources
1 Union Terrace : excavations in the Horsefair. Microfiche in pocket inside back cover 1989 by J D Richards, C Heighway and S Donaghey 19 vol.11, fasc.1
2 Medieval religious houses in England and Wales 1971 by David Knowles and R Neville Hadcock p409

NMR, NMR data (Unassigned). SYO2214.

Victoria County History ed. William Page, 1974, A History of the County of York Volume 3 (Bibliographic reference). SYO2397.