Monument record 2206/3 - Hospital Of St John The Baptist, Armston

Hospital of St John The Baptist 1232 - 1540, and Chapel of St Leonard. Early 13th century - 1536

{1} Armston: A hospital (for the poor, aged and sick), dedicated to St John Baptist, was founded in 1232 and dissolved 1540; Austin ?

{2} In 1232 Ralph de Trubleville and his wife Alice built the hospital of St John Baptist on their own land in Armston. It had a chapel with right of burial. Masters are recorded from 1232-1540.

{3} Also founded by Ralph and his wife, a Chapel of St Leonard, early in the 13th c, evidently as a chapel of ease to Polebrook. It received a chantry in c 1250, and by c 1500 appears to have been solely a chantry, the hospital chapel having taken over its original function and as such was supressed by Sir Robert Kirkham in 1536.

{4} Siting is uncertain, for the Hospital Chapel is frequently confused with St Leonard's, but the following may apply to either: (a) In or before 1791 there remained in Armston a building with 4 large windows resembling chapel windows, and a high arched roof within, and two columns without {3}. (b) Chapel like remains were found at the end of the 18th c in a farmhouse to the E of the green; and near to this was some evidence of a moat and fishponds {6} ie C.TL 061 859. (c) A medieval well was uncovered at TL 0613 8591. (d) During excavations at TL 0622 8590 the remains of a "row of small cottages" were uncovered - possibly the Hospital.

{5} The farmer, Mr W Miller, said the house noted by V C H stood at TL 0614 8591, ie very close to where the well was found. It was demolished in 1890 to provide building material for an extension to the Manor House. Which, if either of the chapels this was the remains of, was not determined. The area of the excavations is under crop and was not examined.

<1> Knowles; Hadcock, 1971, Medieval Religious Houses England and Wales, p. 252 (Book). SNN10192.

<2> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 149 (Series). SNN100369.

<3> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 101,104-5 (Series). SNN100370.

<4> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Letter S D Londesborough 4.8.60 (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<5> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 BHS 03-SEP-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<6> Undated, Externally held archive reference, Ms notes on the Barnwell Estate 1909 (T H Wright) (Archive). SNN113573.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:14PM