Dr Milley's Hospital, Medieval almshouse in Lichfield, England
Dr Milley's Hospital is a three-story stone building on Beacon Street with medieval structure and Tudor elements, including a chapel positioned above the entrance porch. The Grade II* listed building has been adapted to contain ten modern apartments while maintaining shared facilities such as a common room and garden space.
The building was originally founded in 1424 by Bishop Heyworth and later re-established in 1502 by Canon Thomas Milley, after whom it was named. From its inception it served as housing for women in poverty and represented an early form of organized social care in England.
The building still serves its original purpose as an almshouse for women, reflecting centuries of charitable housing traditions in England. Visitors can see how the spaces are arranged to foster community and mutual support among residents.
The building is viewable from the street where its Grade II* listed architecture can be admired from outside. Since current residents live within, visitors should ask permission before entering and respect the privacy of the occupants.
Once each year the residents present ten red roses to the Bishop of Lichfield, a ceremony rooted in the original land grant from 1424. This ritual connects the community today directly to a tradition stretching back nearly six centuries.
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