Medieval Chapel of St Mary Magdalen
The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Magdalens Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1HU
Medieval hospitals were quite different from modern hospitals. They offered "hospitality" to the poor and needy, and to travellers. They were a combination of a free care home and a Travelodge!
The display in the Chapel aims to provide an insight into the patron of the hospital, Archbishop Thurstan of York and an opportunity to see the recently rediscovered hospital seal used on official documents such as the lease of land or sale of property.
It is thought there were about 1,000 hospitals in England, all different from one another. Many offered general care to the local poor and to wayfarers. Others also specialised. St Mary Magdalen was one of around 250 of the hospitals that offered care to lepers. Others offered care to unmarried mothers and, if they died in childbirth, to their children until they were 7, blind priests, poor clergy, the insane.
In medieval times if you were penniless or if you were unable to care for yourself, it was the will of God. The solution was prayer. So the Chapel was central to the work of the hospital and most medieval hospitals had one. It was not by chance that the Chapel of the hospital of St Mary Magdalen was built of stone while other buildings were wood and plaster. The Chapel was the important building and was built to last. St Mary Magdalen may well be unique in England in retaining a building from the foundation of the hospital, which is little changed and which is still being used for prayer while approaching its 900th birthday!
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- 0930-1630
Location & directions
The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Magdalens Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1HU
- Directions:
- From the Cathedral standing on steps at the front with your back to Cathedral door, turn right follow St Marygate to the traffic lights Straight across onto Magdalens Road Pass Aldi and Fire Station and straight on at traffic lights Chapel on right hand side of road about 10 minute walk
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
No steps on entry to the Chapel. Inside there is one step at the altar
Additional information
- Max no of people per tour:
- 8
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 15 minute(s)
