The origins of the hospital

St Saviour's Hospital was founded in about 1184 by Abbot Samson as a dependency of the Abbey. Although called a hospital, it was actually more similar to an alms-house.  It was originally intended for a master, twelve chaplain-priests, six clerks, twelve poor men and twelve poor women, but by the end of the 13th century, the women had been replaced by twelve more sick or aged monks. The hospital was dissolved at the same time as the Abbey.

Humphrey Plantagenet

A 19th century plaque above the door commemorates Humphrey Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester, who was the uncle of Henry VI and Lord Protector. In 1447, Parliament was held at the Abbey, and the Duke was lodging at St Saviour's. He was arrested on a charge of high treason, and kept under guard at the hospital.  The day after his arrest, 23 February 1447, he was found dead in his bed. His death was officially attributed to apoplexy, but it was rumoured that he had been murdered.

The ruins today

The hospital stands on Fornham Road.  The ruin and foundations surviving today are all that remains of the 13th century chapel of the hospital. Originally, there were many other buildings, and a large mill-pond behind them, where Tesco is now.  In recent excavations, six graves were found in the chapel, one of which was a priest buried with his chalice and paten. The bodies were re-interred here.

Medieval hospitals in Bury St Edmunds

There were six hospitals in Bury St Edmunds by the end of the 13th century.  All were located on the main roads into the town and offered accommodation to travellers as well as homes for elderly and ill people. Besides St. Saviour's, the other hospitals were:

• St Peter's, Out Risbygate
• St Stephen's, Eastgate Street
• St Nicholas's, Eastgate Street (the ruins are still visible)
• St Petronilla's, Southgate Street
• St John's or Domus Dei, Southgate Street