Unusually, Rhuthun/Ruthin had three of historic Denbighshire’s 14 almshouses, one for each local parish of the time. Two survive. One is Christ's Hospital; and a second with something of a more complicated history is at Llanfwrog. A third at Llanrhydd has gone.
These and others in the area were the subject of the Ruthin History Club's first all-face-to-face meeting since the health emergency. There were 60 people present, about a third fewer than might've been expected. The presenter on this occasion was Arnold Hughes and it is thanks to his thorough exposition of the subject we have these notes.
It was wealthy gentry benefactors who established almshouses for those at the time who were poor. This was a Christian usually Church of England (sic) response but that did not mean that the sponsor didn't benefit from the publicity: those in Cerrigydrudion, for example, have the motif above 'To the glory of God and Baron Prys'.
The oldest in this area tucked away behind St Peter's at c.1590 is in Rhuthun, thanks to the then dean of Westminster, Gabriel Goodman. Often like in Rhuthun they were called 'hospitals' in its mediaeval sense of being a place of care and refuge. Those at Llanfwrog and Llanrhaeadr were similarly named. Usually terraces of between three and 12 units, they tend to look attractive but they were not especially hospitable for generations of early residents.
There were fairly onerous qualification to entry. Usually residents had to be practising Anglicans (not of other denominations), of moral integrity, over 50, unmarried or widowed and, Hughes emphasised, were for the 'deserving poor'. Degenerates, drunks and slackers need not apply, then.
Alongside free keep came clothes rations and coal. Coal was usually delivered one a year but in Christ's Hospital this was all year round.
Christ's Hospital
These were built thanks to an endowment from Goodman, who also founded Schola Ruthinensis and Rhuthun charities. Goodman also established land at Llanberis that generated an income towards 'Tlodion Rhuthun' and this ensured that Christ's Hospital was well maintained. The almshouses were restored in 1865 and 1999 and, alongside, came 12 two-storey new properties in Church Walks.
Llanfwrog Hospital
Founded by Lady Jane Bagot, in 1695 she willed money to the serving poor. Construction at a site near Galltegfa was in 1708. It was supported by rental from two farms and one house. The farm is still owned. The chairman of Llanfwrog Hospital is none other than Hughes himself, perhaps these days not a wealthy benefactor but certainly in keeping with the requirement to be of moral substance.
The site has been subject to flooding, most recently in 2001, was sold and the money invested in the former farm house Hafod at the junction of Mwrog Street with Lôn Fawr.
Llanrhydd
All that remains is the gate and two short walls adjoining, above. Note nearby is the gatepost of the workhouse, below, surrounded by 21st century ephemera (junk).
Llanrhaeadr Hospital
It's said that Lady Jane's daughter married Maurice or Morris Jones of Llanrhaeadr Hall and it is she, the daughter, who paid for the almshouses in c.1726. These eventually passed to the local authority.
Llanfair
Known as Elizabeth Owen Terrace, these were built by the Owen family of Y Gyffylliog and were unusually of two storey construction. They are delightful to see. In 1886, they were handed over to the local church. Increasing repair bills results in the Knights of Malta taking them on, interestingly a Roman Catholic organisation! They struggled. In 2014, the almshouses passed to Tai Clwyd but this also proved to be difficult financially. Next was Grŵp Cynefin. Similarly, they could not afford to modernise them. They remain empty and alongside the empty 19th century school this brings into doubt exactly what can be done with them.
