The Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals were two charitable foundations that were independently put into the charge of the City of London. They were brought under joint administration in 1557.

Bethlehem Hospital

Edward VI granting the Royal Charter to Bridewell Hospital

The

Bethlem Royal Hospital Bethlem Royal Hospital, also known as St Mary Bethlehem, Bethlehem Hospital and Bedlam, is a psychiatric hospital in London. Its famous history has inspired several horror books, films and TV series, most notably '' Bedlam'', a 1946 film with ...

was founded in 1247 as the Priory of the New Order of our Lady of Bethlehem in the city of London during the reign of Henry III. It was established by the Bishop-elect of Bethlehem, the Italian Goffredo de Prefetti, following a donation of personal property by the London alderman and former sheriff, Simon FitzMary. The original location was in the parish of St Botolph,

Bishopsgate Bishopsgate was one of the eastern gates in London's former defensive wall. The gate gave its name to the Bishopsgate Ward of the City of London. The ward is traditionally divided into ''Bishopsgate Within'', inside the line wall, and ''Bishop ...

's ward. In 1546 the Lord Mayor of London,

Sir John Gresham Sir John Gresham (1495 – 23 October 1556) was an English merchant, courtier and financier who worked for King Henry VIII of England, Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell. He was Lord Mayor of London and founded Gresham's School. He was the b ...

, petitioned the crown to grant Bethlem to the city. This petition was partially successful and

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...

reluctantly ceded to the City of London "the custody, order and governance" of the hospital and of its "occupants and revenues". This charter came into effect in 1547. The crown retained possession of the hospital while its administration fell to the city authorities. Following a brief interval when it was placed under the management of the governors of Christ's Hospital, from 1557 Bethlem was administered by the governors of Bridewell. Prospect of Bridewell

Bridewell Hospital

In 1553, Edward VI gave Bridewell Palace to the City of London for the housing of homeless children and for the punishment of "disorderly women". The City took full possession in 1556 and turned the site into a prison, hospital and workrooms. British (English) School - Sir Rowland Hill (1492^–1561) - 609006 - National Trust

British (English) School - Sir Rowland Hill (1492^–1561) - 609006 - National Trust

Joint administration

In 1557 the administration of Bethlem Royal Hospital became the responsibility of the Bridewell Governors. The post of President was established, with first occupant being

Sir Rowland Hill Sir Rowland Hill, KCB, FRS (3 December 1795 – 27 August 1879) was an English teacher, inventor and social reformer. He campaigned for a comprehensive reform of the postal system, based on the concept of Uniform Penny Post and his soluti ...

in 1557.

List of presidents of the Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals

1557–1558 * Sir William Garrett 1558 *

1559 * Sir Roland Haywood 1561 *Edward Gilbart 1563 * Sir William Chester 1564 *

Sir John White Sir John White's (1588-1625) was a government official in the Kingdom of England. Sir John was twenty-two when he succeeded his father, Thomas White, as High sheriff of Nottinghamshire. Marriage Sir John White was married at the age of 32 to ...

1568 * Sir Lionel Duckett 1568–73 *Sir Alexander Avenon 1573 * Sir Lionel Duckett 1580–86 * Sir William Rowe 1592 * Sir William Webbe 1594 * Sir Stephen Slaney 1599 * Sir William Ryder 1600 * Sir Leonard Halliday 1605 *Sir Thomas Middleton 1613 *Sir Roland Hayter 1631 *George Whitman 1631 * Sir John Wollaston 1643 * Christopher Packe 1649 * Sir Richard Brown Bt 1661 *Sir James Smith 1668 *

Sir William Turner Sir William Turner (7 January 1832, in Lancaster, Lancashire, Lancaster – 15 February 1916, in Edinburgh) was an English anatomist and was the Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1903 to 1916. Life Turner was born in Lancaster ...

1669 *Sir Robert Jeffries 1689 *

1690 *Sir Robert Jeffries 1693- * Sir Samuel Dashwood 1703 * Sir Thomas Rawlinson1705 * Sir William Withers 1708 * Sir Samuel Garrard 1721 * Sir William Humfreys, 1st Baronet (died 1735) *

Humphrey Parsons Humphrey Parsons ( – ) was an English merchant and Tories (British political party), Tory politician who twice served as Lord Mayor of London in 1730 and 1740. He also sat in the House of Commons of Great Britain, British House of Commons from ...

1725–1741 *

Robert Willimot Sir Robert Willimot (died 1746), of Banstead, Surrey, was a British politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1734 to 1741. He was Lord Mayor of London in 1742. Willimot was an underwriter in the City of London. He married, at St Olave, Hart ...

1741 * William Benn1746 * Sir Richard Glyn 1755 * Sir Walter Rawlinson 1773 *

Brackley Kennett Brackley Kennett was a British merchant who served as Sheriff of London in 1765 and Lord Mayor of London from 1779 to 1780. During his time in office the Gordon Riots broke out and his response to the rioting proved controversial. He failed to rea ...

1777 * Brass Crosby 1782 * Sir James Sanderson 1789 * Sir Richard Carr Glyn 1793 *

Sir Peter Laurie Sir Peter Laurie (3 March 1778 – 3 December 1861) was a British politician who served as Lord Mayor of London. He was appointed Sheriff of the City of London for 1823 and elected Lord Mayor for 1832. From 1838 until his death, he was Chairman ...

1833 * William Taylor Copeland 1861 *J E Johnson 1868 * Sir James Lawrence, 1st Baronet 1868

References

{{authority control 1557 establishments in England Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals