Leprosy is well-known as a dreaded disease in biblical times, but it
was also a serious problem throughout Europe in medieval times.

At around 1125 AD/CE, in the reign of King Henry I, an isolation
Hospital for lepers was established in Cambridge UK and close by a
chapel - The Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene (now know locally as the
Barnwell Leper Chapel) - was built for the Lepers.

The Leper Chapel still stands today and is believed to be the oldest
complete building in the ancient and long-sacred city of Cambridge.

The Lepers survived by begging at the roadside and by growing crops.
However, in 1199 their income was boosted by King John granting them
the right to hold a 3-day fair on the vigil of the Holy Cross. This
fair - The Stourbridge Fair - benefited from being close to the river
Cam which connected with the North Sea and sea routes to and from
mainland Europe. It grew to be the largest medieval fair in Europe
and its popularity was to be a key factor in preserving the Leper
Chapel building up to the 18th century when the fair ceased.

Around 1279 the hospital became disused and a new Leper Hospital was
built in another part of Cambridge in 1361. At this point the chapel
became a Free Chapel and later a store building for stalls from the
fair.

The Leper Chapel was restored in the 20th century and is now an
incredibly beautiful (in a very simple and ancient way) chapel in
which services are occasionally held. Communion is still held twice a
month: on the first Sunday of the month at 9am, and on the fourth
Sunday of the month at 6.30pm.

Tomorrow, September 11th, will be the annual Saturday afternoon fair
at the chapel, if anyone is interested to visit. Wearing medieval
costume is encouraged, but not obligatory!

Wheelchair users should note that there are several steps in the
church entrance - one of the aims of the fair tomorrow is to raise
money to provide a new wheelchair access.

Further info about the chapel, photos and old drawings can be found
at:
http://www.cpswandlebury.demon.co.uk/page5.html