CHARITY THROUGH THE AGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 February 1939, Page 10

CHARITY THROUGH THE AGES

800-YEARS-OLD HOSPICE. For 800 years genuine wayfarers in the vicinity of Winchester, England’s ancient heart, have been able to receive free the “dole” of bread aiid a hornful of ale at the hospice of St. Cross, just on the town’s outskirts. It was Bishop Henry de Blois, the grandson of William the Conquerer, who planted the hospice of St. Cross in Hampshire in the year 1136, to shelter “thirteen poor men, feeble and so reduced in strength that they can hardly or with difficulty support, themselves without another’s aid.” They ■were to be provided with “garments and beds suitable to their infirmities, good wheaten bread daily, of the weight of live marks, and three dishes at dinner and one at supper, suitable to the day, and drink of good stuff.” The hospital was also to give food and drink to poor wanderers who came to its gates. That was in 1136. To-day. the hospice distributes al its gateway, two gallons of beer and 32 portions of white bread daily.

The hospice is used as a home for a certain number of poor men, who are members of one or other of the two I lay orders of the charity. Those of the “red” order are recruited from the ranks of indigent gentlefolk, those of the “black” order are mostly old craftsmen, such as carpenters. The funds for the upkeep of the two orders are secured by the income from various properties that have been bequeathed by Roman Catholics in the past to the hospice. Some of the funds for the “black” order have been drawn from valuable rentals, one of the properties concerned being the site of Waterloo Station—which is most visiting Australians’ first view of London —and there are consequently more members of the “black” order than ol (lie “red.”

In return for their shelter and keep, the members of the orders look after Hie beautiful gardens and grounds of the hospice, and act as guides to the many visitors to the wonderful old place.