Our History

The Lord Leycester is a medieval treasure with a 700 year unbroken legacy of people living on this site and a precious collection of half-timbered buildings.

The first building was the original chapel, built in 1123.

Between 1385 and 1430 the medieval Guilds built the half-timbered buildings as a centre to govern the town, house travellers and provide support to the deserving poor. In 1571 Robert Dudley, Queen Elizabeth I’s favoured courtier, established a community of Master and Brethren in the old Guild buildings.  The Brethren were, and still are, deserving military who served Crown and Country and were carefully selected to live here.  We are Warwickshire’s answer to the Chelsea Pensioners but smaller and older!

Today the Hospital is run by the Master, a retired military officer. The eight ex-servicemen and their wives who live here, are provided with almshouses, carry out ceremonial duties and act as guides for visitors.

Heidi Meyer, the first woman to hold the office, was installed as the current Master in November 2016.

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester