Close-up of the Entrance to the Ambulatory, at The Hospital of St Cross, Winchester, Hampshire, England
The Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty is a medieval almshouse in Winchester, Hampshire, England. It has been described as "England's oldest and most perfect almshouse". Most of the buildings and grounds are open to the public at certain times. It is a Grade I listed building. The lower part of the eastern or infirmary range is occupied by an open-arcaded ambulatory. At the northern end both stories are of brick and stone with an embattled parapet, and the stairs to the infirmary are contained within an octagonal turret. The upper part of the southern portion is of timber and plaster and supported on the quadrangle side by a timber arcade of six bays with four-centred arches and traceried spandrels on a continuous brick plinth. The bay below the oriel window of the infirmary has a plain two-light window. The oriel window is of four trefoiled lights on the front face, with a similar light on each side. Below the sills of these latter are buttresses of two off-sets, standing on the ground, and the whole is carried by two two-centred droparches of brick supported by a central octagonal shaft and abutting upon the angle buttresses. The central shaft is of brick with stone base and capital, on which is carved Robert Sherborne's motto 'Dilexi Sapientiam.' The upper portion of the oriel is of brick with stone tracery in the light. Below the sill is a stone bearing the name of Henry Compton. The lower portion, including the angle buttresses, is of brick and flint diaper. The interior of the infirmary is quite plain, and the southern end is formed by the north wall of the north transept of the church, through the eastern window of which the interior may be seen. The old church clock, made by William Skikelthorp of London in the year 1737, is stored away here
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: The Hosipal of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty, St Cross Road, Winchester SO23 9SD
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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