Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals

The Bethlem Royal Hospital 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.

[1] In 1546 the Lord Mayor of London, Sir John Gresham, petitioned the crown to grant Bethlem to the city.

This petition was partially successful and Henry VIII reluctantly ceded to the City of London "the custody, order and governance" of the hospital and of its "occupants and revenues".

[3]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".

Edward VI grants a charter in 1553 to Bridewell Hospital
"The Prospect of Bridewell" from John Strype 's, An Accurate Edition of Stow's " A Survey of London "
Sir Rowland Hill was the first president of the hospitals. Hill also coordinated the Geneva Bible translation, and was Lord Mayor of London in 1549
Sir Rowland Hill was the first president of the hospitals. Hill also coordinated the Geneva Bible translation, and was Lord Mayor of London in 1549