Leper Pot

Leper hospitals, or leprosaria, were specialised institutions in medieval England that provided care for individuals suffering from Leprosy. These hospitals were predominantly established between the 11th and 13th centuries, often by religious organisations, monarchs, and wealthy benefactors as acts of charity. By the 13th century, England was home to approximately 300 of these facilities, with notable examples including St. Mary Magdalene Hospital in Winchester and St. Leonard's Hospital in York. These institutions served a dual purpose: they were both medical facilities and religious communities. Residents adhered to strict routines of prayer and isolation, reflecting the societal fear of leprosy as a contagious and divinely ordained affliction.