The Lord Leycester Hospital is hard to miss as you drive through Warwick. 20 MIRTHers paid a visit this November. The Lord Leycester Hospital was founded in 1571, although the buildings are older. They are some of the most important medieval buildings in the country. The buildings have recently been restored.
After enjoying lunch in the Great Hall (once host to King James 1 for a three-day banquet) we were taken on a guided tour around the buildings and gardens to learn about the history of the buildings. The building remains a home to the brothers who reside there, just as it was in 1571. The brothers are all retired service personnel; today, they are both male and female residents.
There were many things pointed out on our tour. My favourite curiosity was in the kitchen. On the wall was an inkwell and a quill. The cook used this to keep records using a pen and ink. It was locked to prevent the ink from being stolen. Ink was expensive in those days, much like printer ink today, one of our members observed.
MIRTH 