THE HOSPITAL OF ST. PETER, YORK. 
99 
in his revenge had laid waste the land in this district and the 
north, a great famine arose, but the Culdees, out of their 
revenues, did many good deeds to the poor, by reason of which 
many rich and noble men gave them lands, possessions, and 
money. 
King William II. enlarged the site of St. Peter’s Hospital. 
PTom the hospital or almshouse for the poor on the King’s 
Waste it now stretched to the King’s Place where, as late as 
the time of Henry V., there were many houses standing which 
were anciently employed to the King’s use. William II. built 
a church for the Hospital and dedicated it to St. Peter. 
The Close of the establishment was extended to the banks 
of the river by King Henry I., who also gave a common in 
Galtres Forest with pasture for all their cattle, wood to burn, 
and timber for building. 
King Stephen at his own charge built a church for the 
Hospital on the part of their close adjoining the King’s Street. 
The church was dedicated to St. Leonard, and the King also 
changed the name of the Hospital from St. Peter to St. 
Leonard. From this time, the Hospital under royal patronage 
became independent of the Minster. 
The Hospital was surrendered on December ist, 1539. The 
buildings and site passed through various hands until 1675, 
when these were bought by the Corporation for £ 800. In 
i 75°, Joseph Baker leased the buildings of St. Peter’s Hospital 
and erected a small theatre. Fifteen years later it was 
extended. In 1807, that part of the cloister sketched by 
Joseph Halfpenny and published in his “ Fragmenta Vetusta,” 
was perfect and remained so till about 1835, when it was cut 
through for a new staircase to the boxes of the theatre from 
the newly formed street of St. Leonards. 
Some fourteen years ago the Corporation, in making altera¬ 
tions, destroyed the greater part of the cloister, and last 
December saw all the remains cleared away, except one bay, 
which will be preserved. A column, including base and cap is 
now in the cloisters of St. Leonards. 
The cloister or undercroft of St. Peters Hospital is of 
Norman work, plain pointed arches of worked stone spring 
from the scolloped capitals of columns and wall piers enclosing 
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