Maison Dieu, Faversham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maison Dieu |
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Maison Dieu
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| OS grid reference | TR0036260855 |
| Built | 1234 |
| Built for | Henry III |
| Governing body | English Heritage |
| Type | Grade II* |
| Designated | 29 July 1950 |
| Reference no. | 1069431 |
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Maison Dieu, which means 'House of God', is a very old building in Ospringe, England. It was built in 1234 by King Henry III. This special place served many purposes over the years. It was a hospital, a home for monks, a place for travelers to stay, and even a royal guesthouse. It also provided a home for people in their later years.
The building is made of wood and stands next to an ancient road called Watling Street. Today, this road is known as the A2 road. It's located in Ospringe, a village near Faversham in Kent, England.
In 1798, a historian named Edward Hasted wrote that Maison Dieu was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was run by a master and three monks from the Order of the Holy Cross. Two other priests also worked there. Their main job was to welcome and help poor and needy travelers and pilgrims. These travelers were often heading along Watling Street.
There was also a special room in the building called Camera Regis, or the king's chamber. This was where the king could rest when he traveled through the area. The old records of Maison Dieu also show how sick and disabled people were cared for long ago. For example, in 1235, a blind girl was welcomed into Maison Dieu. She became a 'servant of God and sister of the hospital'.
Key Moments in History
Maison Dieu has a long and interesting history. Here are some important events:
- 1234: King Henry III ordered the building to be built.
- 1240: King Henry III gave the people running Maison Dieu a special right. They could hold a market and a fair in the nearby parish of Headcorn. This helped them earn money.
- 1245: The abbot of St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury gave permission for the monks and sick people who died at Maison Dieu to be buried there.
- 1314: Nicholas de Staple, who was in charge of the hospital, left after an argument. He went to another hospital in Oxford. He later returned to Ospringe in 1334.
- 1360: King John II of France stayed at Maison Dieu. He was on his way to Dover to return to France after being held captive.
- 1384: Records show that the hospital's income from the church in Headcorn was about £13 and 6 shillings. This was a good amount of money back then.
- 1511: Archbishop Warham visited the hospital on September 28.
- 1518: The last monks of the Order of the Holy Cross sadly died, possibly from the plague. After this, the hospital became a regular building, not run by monks. It then belonged to St John's College, Cambridge. The building later became a public house, which is like a pub.
- 1573: The building was rented out to Robert Transham. He used materials from the Maison Dieu chapel to rebuild another building nearby.
- 1925: Maison Dieu became England's first village museum. The area around it used to flood every winter. This stopped in 1965 when a new drain was built during the construction of the M2 motorway.
- 1950: The building was given a special status. It became a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's a very important historic site.
Maison Dieu Today
Today, Maison Dieu is looked after by English Heritage. It is managed by the Maison Dieu Museum Trust. The building is used to show off Roman artifacts found in the local area. This includes items from the ruined 'Church of Our Lady of Elwarton'. You can visit Maison Dieu on weekends and Bank Holidays from Good Friday until October.
Historic Images of the Maison Dieu
The Faversham Society has many old pictures of Maison Dieu in their archives. One picture from the 1890s shows the original building. In 1900, the bottom part of the building was changed into a shop. You can see these original images at the Faversham Society Museum Archive.
