I met Brother John thanks to Ray (and Jinks) who got chatting to him in the outer quadrangle while I was taking photos inside. When I asked him for a portrait shot he readily agreed, 'If I can keep sitting down'. He's 87 so I was happy with that - except for the sun being in the wrong place (well me actually).
In the background is the Hundred Mens Hall which now houses a tea room. One of the brothers gets up early every morning to make all the cakes.
I'm indebted to Ray for my information. It seems to be developing into a tradition now: he gathers the facts while I'm gathering the photos.
I also found this paragraph from the St Cross website interesting:
"The Hospital was founded to support thirteen poor men, so frail that they were unable to work, and to feed one hundred men at the gates each day. The thirteen men became the Brothers of St Cross. Then, as now, they were not monks. St Cross is not a monastery but a secular foundation. Medieval St Cross was endowed with land, mills and farms, providing food and drink for a large number of people. However the water was unfit for drinking so copious amounts of ale and beer were needed."
Brother John belongs to the original order founded c1132 and wears its black robes. He has lived here for 27 years and has just become a senior brother.
I love that history Hazel....just become a senior brother at 87.......there's hopefor us yet at our age Hazel!! Love the beer & ale thing too! I would think on the whole a very nice life indeed!
Pat, I think that I and some of my friends are agreed that it would be a good and peaceful place to spend one's retirement! The buildings are beautiful and the atmosphere wonderful. No women allowed though.......
What a lovely photo. I hope you give him a copy of it. He looks so peaceful sitting there. Interesting history too. Thank you Ray for remembering it. Whenever I ask David to remember information to go with some of my photos he has forgotten before we get home,
Pat, I think that I and some of my friends are agreed that it would be a good and peaceful place to spend one's retirement! The buildings are beautiful and the atmosphere wonderful. No women allowed though.......