'Chancery lunatics' were people whose possessions and property were the responsibility of the Crown due to their being deemed a 'lunatic'. The term ‘lunatic’ was used from the 17th century to describe a person who was “sometimes of good and sound memory and understanding and sometimes not”. Today we would say these people experienced mental health problems.
People classed as 'lunatics' were defined depending on their ability to pay for care. ‘Pauper lunatics’ were patients for whom the local Poor Law Board of Guardians was required to make any financial contribution towards their treatment. ‘Private patients’ were those who were able pay for their treatment. If a patient owned significant property, their care was administered by the Crown. The Crown, via the Lord Chancellor and Chancery Masters, would also become responsible for their possessions and property, and therefore these patients would sometimes be known as ‘Chancery lunatics’.
Sources: National Archives, ‘Asylums, psychiatric hospitals and mental health’, National Archives website, accessed 02/04/2025.
This is part of the Series: GAY01/03 Highgate And Hampstead; within the Collection: GAY01 John Gay Collection
© Historic England Archive
Photographer: Gay, John
Gravestone