Current Literature
fthe great hospital that looks across the river at the Houses of Parliament had its origin, and till 1861 its home, in South- wark. Its early career is carefully described by Dr. F. G. Parsons in the first volume, ending with 1599, of The History of h't. Thomas's Hospital (Methuen, 10s. 6d.). His book is not easy reading but it has the solid merit of being based on the charters and minute-books of . the hospital. Dr. Parsons shows that the institution developed out of the infirmary of the Priory of St. Mary Overie, refounded for Austin Canons in 1106, whose church is now Southwark Cathedral. The hospital, dedicated to St. Thomas the Martyr, was separated from the priory in 1215, but retained its ecclesiastical status. At the Reformation it shared the fate of the other two London hospitals in being closed and despoiled. Edward VI gave the three hospitals back to the City, with Bridewell as a penitentiary and the estates of the Savoy as an endowment. The City and individual citizens largely increased the royal fund. Edward VI directed the Corporation to manage_ the four institutions, but each soon evolved its own board of governors from its benefactors. The story is clearly told, and those who are interested in Southwark will find much topographical detail in Dr. Parsons' pleasant pages, which are well illustrated.
Previous page
