This #FunFactFriday we’re exploring the historic Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr @EastbridgeHosp, Canterbury, a medieval building located in the heart of Canterbury, Kent.

: ABrocke

Eastbridge has been a place of hospitality since the late 12th century, following Thomas Becket’s murder at Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Poor pilgrims stayed here when visiting Becket’s shrine at the Cathedral. Eastbridge was founded by Edward FitzOdbold, a local merchant.

Eastbridge initially prospered yet fell into decline. It was only in 1342 that Eastbridge was revived by the Archbishop of Canterbury, John Stratford, and once again became a popular place for pilgrims to stay.

Just under 200 years later, however, Eastbridge deteriorated when Henry VIII ordered Thomas Becket’s shrine in Canterbury Cathedral to be destroyed.

Another Archbishop of Canterbury, John Whitgift, restored Eastbridge’s fortune in 1584, whereby an ordinance detailed that Eastbridge was to become an almshouse for 10 poor people local to Canterbury.

: Archbishop John Whitgift, unknown author, Wikimedia Commons

A big change to Eastbridge following this was that the Pilgrim’s Chapel became a schoolroom and remained one until 1880. It wasn’t until 1927 that it was used again as a chapel and restored to its original purpose.

: @MeganBatterbee

Today Eastbridge is still an almshouse, providing accommodation for inn dwellers.

Have you got a #localhistory #FunFact that you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear about your #localhistory research and the amazing stories you have to tell. See you for more #FunFacts next Friday!