Hospitals: St Mary Magdalene, Dunstable

20. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. MARY MAGDALENE, DUNSTABLE

This hospital was founded, like so many others, near the end of the twelfth century, receiving in 1209 from King John a letter of safe conduct for those who were collecting alms on behalf of the house. (fn. 1) It was probably founded under the patronage of the prior and canons of Dunstable, for the benefit of their town, and was intended for lepers as well as other sick people. The masters of the hospital were appointed by the prior, but the name of only one is known early in the thirteenth century; he was called Roger, and was a chaplain of the priory. (fn. 2) In 1293 the lepers of Dunstable erected a new bell, larger than they had ever had before, and hung it on a crossbar between two poles in front of their house; but the prior seems for some reason to have suspected their motives in doing this, for he sent and had it taken down, restoring it afterwards on the condition that it should never be used for his parishioners nor for calling people together. (fn. 3)

The hospital was still in existence in 1338, for the master and brethren received at that time another letter of protection from the king, and permission to collect alms; (fn. 4) but it is not heard of at any later date.