Wednesday 9th July 2025
Over 700 years ago, the United Guilds of Warwick built their headquarters consisting of a conference room, banqueting hall, mansion for the Master of the Guilds, storage rooms and lodgings for travellers. The Guildsmen built this splendid example of medieval half-timbered buildings with trees felled in the 1200’s from forests across England. Today, the site survives intact and tops the list of most complete and important medieval buildings in the British Isles.
The buildings are extraordinary, but what makes them unique is the enduring communities that have lived within the walls since the 1300’s. First came the Guilds, and then the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley, who was a favourite of Elizabeth I. Dudley founded the Lord Leycester Hospital in 1571 – a philanthropic community of a Master and twelve Brethren. Coming from the ranks of soldiers injured in Tudor wars, the Brethren were deserving recipients of Dudley’s philanthropy.
Today, the Master and Brethren still live in the community of the Lord Leycester established by Robert Dudley. Within the honey-coloured half-timbered walls it is as if time stood still. The Master and Brethren still wear Tudor livery and adhere to an ancient way of life. The Royal Hospital Chelsea, with its in-pensioners in their scarlet coloured livery are famous worldwide – The Lord Leycester is a much older, quieter and smaller forerunner of this most English of institutions. However, both have stood the test of time and still provide a place of sanctuary for those who have sacrificed to serve their country.
We will be escorted on this guided tour by a robed member of the Brethren – one of a long line of veterans who have lived on this site since the Tudor age. The 90 minute tour will explain the history of the site, the lifestyle of the Master and Brethren through the centuries and glimpse into a centuries old way of life at the Lord Leycester.
Because this is a medieval site with 700 year old buildings access can be limited for anyone with mobility issues. There is a lift to the second floor galleries, but access to the chapel is by stairs only. (there is a 3 D model of the chapel for those who can’t do stairs!).
We will be leaving the Conquest car park at 8.45am and the tour will start at 11.00am
The cost for this visit will be £30.00 per person including transport from Bromyard. Teas and coffees can be provided on arrival at a cost of £2.50. There is a restaurant on site and meals can be pre-booked.
Payment must be made in full prior to the trip. Please email your interest in the first instance to: programme@bromyardhistorysociety.org.uk
Full details including how to pay will be sent to you on receipt of your application.
David Grant, Programme Secretary
