Ever wonder what it was like to live in a leper hospital? Step back in time with me. We are standing before St Bartholomew’s Chapel. It is also known as Bartlemas Chapel. This small chapel has a big story to tell.
St Bartholomew’s Chapel began as part of a leper hospital. Henry I founded it in the early 12th century. He intended it for twelve sick persons and a chaplain. Imagine a place of refuge for those suffering from leprosy.
Henry I provided funds for his foundation. It received £23 0s. 5d. a year. There was also an allowance for clothing and hay. The hospital is first mentioned in 1129.
Over time, St Bartholomew’s Chapel faced challenges. During the 1310s, there were accusations of mismanagement. Wardens were suspected of misusing hospital funds. One warden even dismissed the chaplain. Mass was rarely said.
Edward II intervened in 1316. He reduced the number of brethren from twelve to eight. Only the infirm were to be admitted. However, rules were sometimes bent. One man, not infirm, was admitted after promising money for chapel repairs.
In 1328, Edward III granted St Bartholomew’s Chapel to Oriel College. The brethren were to be paid as before. The hospital was to provide a place for sick college members to recover.
The college later complained about disobedient brethren. New rules were put in place. Admission was denied to those married, in debt, or not free.
The chapel’s building has seen changes over the centuries. The north doorway is original with a chamfered arch. Alterations were made in the 15th century. The west doorway and roof were updated in Perpendicular Gothic style.
During the English Civil War, the chapel suffered damage. Cromwell’s soldiers occupied the site. They used the chapel as a stable for their horses. The lead was stripped from the roof for shot.
After the Civil War, Oriel College restored the chapel. A screen with openings divided by two columns was added in 1651.
St Bartholomew’s Chapel once held peculiar relics. These included the comb of Edward the Confessor, said to cure headaches. There was also a piece of skin of St Bartholomew himself. Bones of St Andrew and St Philip were present too.
A tradition developed involving New College. Scholars and choir members would walk to the chapel on May Day and Ascension Day. They would say prayers and sing hymns. Afterward, they enjoyed woodland merriment. This custom was revived in 2009 after 400 years.
Today, St Bartholomew’s Chapel stands as a Grade I listed building. It is a reminder of medieval England. It is a place of history and quiet reflection. It is hidden behind the busy Cowley Road. Its story echoes through the centuries.