CHAPTER VI FOUNDERS AND BENEFACTORS

“Hospitals . . . founded as well by the noble kings of this realm and lords and ladies both spiritual and temporal as by others of divers estates, in aid and merit of the souls of the said founders.”

(Parliament of Leicester.)

AS our period covers about six centuries, some rough sub­div­i­sion is nec­es­sary, but each cent­ury can show pat­rons of royal birth, bene­vo­lent bish­ops and barons, as well as char­i­table com­moners. The roll-call is long, and includes many note­worthy names.