Ospringe buildings [4]

Image: © Michael Dibb Taken: 5 Sep 2021

The fine king post roof of number 17 Ospringe Street, the most substantial surviving portion of the medieval Maison Dieu Hospital. The lower part is 13th century, mostly of flint, but partly rebuilt in red brick. The upper part is early 16th century, timber framed, jettied to the street, the whole under a tile roof. The building has been used as a dwelling, a public house and a shop, but is now a small museum. Listed, grade II*, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1069431 The building is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and there is much detail and history at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1011801 Maison Dieu, the Hospital of Blessed Mary of Ospringe was a hospital, monastery, hostel, retirement home and royal lodge commissioned by Henry III in 1234. Its purpose was to care for the sick and aged. Pilgrimage was the legitimate reason for the poor to travel and the Maison Dieu was the last stop on the journey to Canterbury. Henry III added a Camera Regis or “King’s chamber” to enable royalty to stay at the Maison Dieu and many Kings and Queens stayed here. There is more detail at https://maisondieu.org.uk and at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maison_Dieu,_Faversham Ospringe is a village and area of Faversham, Kent. The village lies on the Roman road Watling Street (now the A2). The historic Maison Dieu fronts onto Watling Street and the remains of substantial Roman buildings, thought to be the site of the Durolevum mentioned in the Antonine Itinerary, have been found nearby.

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