The original St Leonard's Hospital was founded in 1130. In 1640 a house was built on the site and a new hospital built in Northgate (at SK 8013 5453), this in turn was replaced by the "Cottage Houses" 1888. Excavations at SK 8036 5471 in 1929(8?) produced pier and wall foundations, a "priest's burial" with pewter chalice and patten in stone built grave, a burial pit with 90 skulls, Med plaster and stonework 11-1500, and numerous small finds now in NWM. This is almost certainly the original hospital site. (1)
No evidence of the original hospital on site. (2)
Finds include a half groat of Henry VII, and a groat of Edward III (1327-77) found in building work, 1935. (3)
Founded as a leper hospital by Bishop Alexander (1123-48 - Clay gives foundation date as 1125). In 1417 it had apparently become a bede-house, which was not suppressed in the C16. (4) (5) Building found 1929 may have been the hospital church. Skull and small whetstone found later. Tradition of burials found during construction of viaduct. In 1979 during remedial work on viaduct, at least 87 further burials uncovered, in salvage excavation - predominantly male, no children, some showing signs of illness (but no leprosy). See source for details. (6)

<1> Harper FR, 1962, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT748.

<2> Colquhoun FD, 1962, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT577.

<3> Newark Museum, 1964, Catalogue of Archaeological Material, p 25 (Published document). SNT249.

<4> Clay RM, 1966, Med Hosps of Eng, p 313 (Published document). SNT564.

<5> Knowles D and Hadcock N, 1971, Medieval Religious Houses (2nd edn), pp 327,378 (Published document). SNT867.

<6> Thoroton Society, 1983, TTS, pp 23-35 (Published document). SNT396.

<7> Kinsley G, 1989, Newark's Archaeological Resource, App 1, pp 12,14 (Unpublished document). SNT40.