Almshouses

It’s easy to imagine that in the past the poor were always treated badly, and the poorest of the poor treated the worst of all. However, there were almshouses in nearly every parish, if not every parish in this country, and nearly three hundred still remain to be seen today. There were similar things in other European countries, and the idea of giving shelter and accommodation to the destitute was carried cross the Atlantic to the United States in the seventeenth century.

The earliest known almshouse was built by King Athelstan in the early tenth century in York; the oldest existing almshouse is in Winchester dating from 990 AD. By the middle of the sixteenth century there were at least 800 across the country. Here in Somerset there are nine known places, including Taunton, Wells and Bath; no doubt there are many more which have become private housing, or businesses like the lovely tea rooms in Axbridge which was built in 1450 and had accommodation for twenty-four old men… they had to climb a ladder to get to the upper chambers to go to bed, so I hope they were sprightly old fellows! as well as those places listed in Somerset, there are also thirteen or so in Bristol… so there is no doubt that there was compassion and kindness shown to those who had the misfortune to be old and alone, or without any means of subsistence.

What I didn’t realise was, there are still almshouses benefiting elderly people today. Many of these places are in modern purpose-built accommodation, well-suited to the needs of twenty-first century oldies, many of whom are very lively and active, mentally if no longer physically! I think it is wonderful that there is still a community feeling of a desire to help those less fortunate… charity begins at home, or maybe in a home!

Some interesting links:

http://www.almshouses.org/

http://thealmshouseteashop.co.uk/about-us/