Malmesbury - St John's Court

Image: © Rob Farrow Taken: 22 Dec 2019

This interesting little building is on the corner of St John's Street and the High Street in Malmesbury, with this view being taken across the latter. The archway seen here and in close-up Image] is the oldest part of this building as it originally belonged to a Norman chapel which was subsumed into the mediæval hospital of St John of Jerusalem. When the hospital, which was allied to the Benedictine Abbey, was closed as a result of the Dissolution of the Monasteries it changed purpose once again and became three almshouses - only one of which can be seen in this image. The building continues around the corner into St John's Street where the other two almshouses are situated. Above and slightly to the left of the arch is an interesting feature - a reused mediæval plaque, inscribed in 1694 to record a charitable endowment by a former resident of the town. The building is EH listed as Grade II* - see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1269276 for more information on its history and architecture.

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