This statue of Lady Anne Middleton is thought to have come from the original Middleton's Hospital, in Skeldergate. It is a monument to the piety and benevolence of Dame Ann Middleton, who bestowed by will two thousand pounds for its erection and endowment. In this hospital, twenty widows of poor freemen, in York, have dwellings, with an income of five pounds sixteen shillings a year each; three pounds sixteen shillings of which is derived from the funds of the original benefactress, and two pounds from an augmentation bequeathed by Thomas Norfolk, gent.
The hospital was rebuilt in 1829 following original plans and renovated by Peter Atkinson in 1973.
The hospital is now a hotel with conference facilities.I attended several courses there when still working and have fond memories of the place (especially the chapel) and the food!
One of the buildings hosts a brass rubbing centre which has provided much pleasure for us as a family when the girls were younger.
I heard of brass rubbing but I think it was in a joke. I'm sure that's not what it stands for. A beautiful statue and interesting reading about the history.
@dolphin Thanks Molly. It is nice to note the generosity of women like Anne and I am glad the hotel has managed to make its alterations sensitively. The Chapel is upstairs and worth a look. Katharine
@bruni Thank you Bruni. Some of our older churches have brass plaques showing an image of people who have been buried in them. The images are valued by historians because they show the typical dress of the time. It was fashionable to take a "rubbing" of the image by laying paper over the plaque and rubbing with a wax crayons. Many churches have stopped allowing these images to be made as they
cause damage. Brass rubbing centres were set up as a substitute. Katharine
cause damage. Brass rubbing centres were set up as a substitute. Katharine