A History of Leicester Castle

3: The Trinity Hospital

One of the changes brought about by the downgrading of the castle fortifications was the development of the area to the south of the castle as the Newarke. This process began with the foundation of a hospital just to the south of the castle in 1331. Had the castle still been expected to resist assault no building would have been allowed within arrow range of the defences, but the hospital was located within 20 metres of the castle.

The Trinity Hospital was founded in 1331 by Henry, the third Earl of Lancaster and Leicester. It comprised a church at the east with adjoining accommodation to the west. It was originally dedicated to ‘the glorious Virgin and All Saints’ and staffed by a warden, four chaplains and five women nurses. The arrangement was that the sick that were expected to recover were cared for in the nave of the church.