NHER 11963 (Monument record) - Site of hospital of St Mary Magdalen, Gaywood Road

Believed to be the location of the medieval hospital of St Mary Magdalen. The site is now occupied by a group of eight almshouses built around a courtyard. These Grade II listed buildings are now recorded separately as NHER 66620 and the associated courtyard wall and gates (which are also listed Grade II) as NHER 63494.
P. Watkins (HES), 6 December 2022.

Rectangle of almshouses west of school is on site of St Mary Magdalen's hospital. According to OS record card (S1) founded at Gaywood Causeway in 1154 and demolished 1849.
However the listing description for the almshouses (S2) dates them to 1649, so the OS date for demolition is probably a mistake [actually a misreading of the card - see below].
Bryant (S3) gives the foundation date as 1145; destruction as 1643 and rebuilding 1649.
Information from record card (S4).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 6 December 2022.

NB. Original Ordnance Survey record card (S1) does say destroyed in 1549* (the five is written oddly). *1549 Kett's rebellion, the hospital was sacked and the chapel destroyed.
1982 Ordnance Survey record card says founded in 1145, which agrees with (S5), although original OS card did say 1154!
R.J. Rickett (NAU), 19 March 1990.

Listed Grade II.
(S2) reports that the almshouses had 13th century origins and were destroyed in the Siege of Lynn in 1643, rebuilt in 1649, restored in 1904, and further restored and modernised in 1965. Brick with plain tile roofs, single storey. A datestone in the gable commemorates rebuilding in 1649 following a fire. Restored in 1904 when arched braces inserted. One original window (of 1649), 18th century casements. North-east stack with stone sundial slab dated 1738. Dutch gables at each end of façade. In the centre of the court is a cast iron water pump.
Information from (S2).
E. Rose (NLA), 12 March 1999.

For details of wall and gates previously recorded under this number but Listed separately, see NHER 63494.

August 2021. Stray Find.
Human skeletal remains found beneath paving slab during maintenance works within the grounds of the former almshouses.
Three incomplete bones were recovered; two skull fragments from a mature or older adult ?female and a right tibia that is probable from an adult male. All are in good condition, though stained mid brown.
The account of the hospital's history in (S6) includes a summary of the statutes drawn up by its founder, a Peter the chaplain, and Archbishop Winchelsey. These include the requirement that "...all should attend the general chapter the day after the feast of St. Mary Magdalen, and after chapter the mass for all buried there and for all benefactors…". This would suggests the presence of a burial ground associated with the medieval hospital. A full transcript of the statues can apparently be found in (S7).
See short report (S8) for further details.
The bones themselves have been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2021.208).
Information from NCM records. No other details available at present.
P. Watkins (HES), 6 December 2022.