Bethlem Hospital

Bethlem Hospital was founded in 1247 as the priory of the New Order of our Lady of Bethlehem, a centre for the collection of alms for the Crusader church which helped link London to the Holy Land. By the early fifteenth century it is clear the Hospital was specialising in housing those with mental illnesses. Following the dissolution of the monasteries the Hospital was refounded in 1547 with a new royal charter, and was jointly administered with Bridewell Hospital by City authorities after 1557. Bethlem Hospital continued to specialise in housing those with mental health disorders, with physical punishment often used as a means of ‘correction’. [MB]

Economic Sector: Charity

Region: England

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