The Building Accounts of the Savoy Hospital, 1512-1520
- Background info
- Summary created: 2021
My research studies underrepresented groups who are generally too poor to leave a written documentary record through traditional venues such as property deeds or wills.
Summary was created by
My research focuses on architecture of the later European medieval period. The structures I study range from religious to secular, large to small: both cathedrals and parish churches, palaces and more modest domestic structures. My particular interest deals with experiential questions such as who built these structures, and why? Who entered inside those spaces, how did they use and experience those areas? I am particularly interested in the experiences of women, and what evidence can be found for their participation in building work in premodern times.
My studies are primarily of interest to academic audiences but may provide historic background for global communities and governmental agencies to examine past patterns of behaviour, with the hope for better and clearer inclusion for underrepresented groups.
This research focused on the Savoy Hospital building in London, England.
Insights
My work on the Savoy Hospital records in particular reveals patterns of employment for workers low on the social hierarchy, as they laboured to build a prestigious, royally sponsored charitable institution.
This published work helps demonstrate how careful analysis of written historical evidence can build a picture of the lives of individuals who lived humble working lives and owned little to no property.
This applies especially to premodern women.
What it means
My research studies underrepresented groups who are generally too poor to leave a written documentary record through traditional venues such as property deeds or wills.
This work is primarily of interest to academics, but anyone interested in studying historical precedent may find interest and value in it.
Proposed action
This work is primarily of interest to academics, but anyone interested in studying historical precedent may find interest and value in it
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Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Anna Chadwell for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Anna Chadwell, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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