Hospital Of St Cross And Almshouses Of Noble Poverty

The Hospital of St Cross and Almshouses of Noble Poverty were founded in 1136 by Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester. The church, dating from the transitional Norman periods of the 12th and 13th centuries, is cruciform in plan and features a large central tower. The buildings, apart from the church, were largely enlarged during the early 15th century under Cardinal Beaufort and are principally of that period. Access is gained from a small courtyard through a 14th-15th century entrance gate. A plan from 1675 illustrates a main quadrangle with a range of fourteen two-story almshouses, each with a tall shafted chimney. The Hall, featuring graceful two-light windows, adjoins the Main Gate Tower to the west. On the east side of the tower, a range of buildings over a cloister links the tower with the church. A plan drawn in 1675 illustrates the layout of the buildings at that time. The church was restored by Butterfield in 1864-5. The overall group of buildings is considered one of the most beautiful in the country, demonstrating varying dates and rebuildings throughout its history.