Hull Charterhouse

Hull Charterhouse, also known in historical contexts as the Maison Dieu, was a significant religious and charitable institution in Kingston upon Hull, England. Originally founded as a Carthusian monastery and later functioning as an almshouse, its history is marked by both destruction and remarkable resilience.

History and Development

The site's religious association dates back to the time of Edward I. William de la Pole established a hospital, the Maison Dieu, around 1350. His son, Michael de la Pole, completed the foundation of a monastery dedicated to Saint Michael for thirteen Carthusian monks in 1377. The monastery's income in 1535 was substantial, but despite surviving the Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries Act, the priory itself was suppressed and destroyed in 1538. The hospital, however, had a different fate. Though rendered to the Crown in 1506, it was restored in 1553 and became known as the Charterhouse. During the English Civil War, the hospital building was demolished before the First Siege of Hull to prevent its use by besieging forces. It was subsequently rebuilt in 1645, with further additions including cells and a chapel between 1663 and 1673. The structure underwent another significant rebuilding in 1780 and was extended in 1803. By the 1860s, the hospital was caring for 70 pensioners. The Master's House, thought to incorporate parts of the 1650 hospital, was damaged in the Second World War and restored in 1950. Both the Charterhouse and Master's House are listed buildings.

Present Day

As of 2002, Hull Charterhouse continued its long-standing tradition of serving as an almshouse. The 1.65-hectare area around the Charterhouse, designated a conservation area in 1975, also encompasses a Victorian board school, Charterhouse School, and an 18th-century burial ground, reflecting the layered history of the site. The buildings remain in use, continuing their charitable function to the present day.