‘Leper hospitals’ were isolated communities or hospitals for the treatment of people affected by leprosy. They were known by many different names including ‘leper house’, ‘leper colony’, ‘leper asylum’, and ‘lazar houses’. Leprosy, now also known as Hansen’s disease, is thought to have entered England by the 4th century. By the 9th century the consequences of the disease were widespread and visible across many communities.
The hospitals were usually built on the edges of towns or cities to reduce the transmission of the infectious disease. In rural areas they were built on major travel routes. The communities were often run by religious houses: at least 320 religious ‘leper hospitals’ were established in England between the 11th century and 1350. Many of the buildings were destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s; others fell into disuse or were put to new uses, including as hospitals and almshouses.
Modern treatments developed in the 20th century reduced the need to isolate people affected by leprosy.
Sources: Historic England, ‘The Time of Leprosy: 11th Century to 14th Century’, Historic England website, accessed 07/01/2025.
Wikipedia, ‘Leper colony’, Wikipedia website, accessed 07/01/2025.
World Health Organization, ‘Leprosy (Hansen disease)’, World Health Organization website, accessed 07/01/2025.
This is part of the Volume: AF0831573 Rchme: South Wiltshire; within the Series: RCH01/126 South Wiltshire Project; within the Collection: RCH01 Royal Commission On The Historical Monuments Of England (Rchme) Archive
© Crown Copyright. Historic England Archive
Archaeological Field Investigator: Cunliffe, Deborah: Royal Commission On The Historical Monuments Of England
Archaeological Field Investigator: Mcomish, David: Royal Commission On The Historical Monuments Of England
Archaeological Field Investigator: Riley, Hazel: Royal Commission On The Historical Monuments Of England
Medieval Augustinian Monastery, Medieval Leper Hospital