1. Avranches, St-Nicholas

dép.: Manche, arr.: chef-lieu

Leper house, Avranches diocese

In existence by the end of the twelfth century. The community was situated only 625 metres from the town ramparts.

References:

Jeanne, ‘Les lépreux et le léproseries en Normandie’, p. 32

Fauchon, ‘Les maladreries ou léproseries dans l'Avranchin et le Mortainais’

2. Bayeux (St-Vigor-le-Grand), St-Nicolas-de-la-Chesnaie

dép.: Calvados, arr.: chef-lieu

Augustinian leper house, Bayeux diocese

The exact date of foundation is unknown. The first mention of this community occurs in a confirmation by Henry II in 1173 of William the Conqueror's gifts to the house. The lepers were in the care of a prior and four monks. The house comprised two enclosures, that of the lepers and that of the immediate environment of the community. The surviving architecture within modern farm buildings probably dates from the fourteenth century, after it was rebuilt following the English invasion. The leper house was located 1.5 kilometres outside the ramparts of Bayeux, a position it shared with the abbey of St-Vigor-le-Grand.

Sources:

Letters and Charters of Henry II, no. 153

References:

Jeanne, ‘Exclusion and charité’, vol. 1, pp. 42–3, 93–6

Jeanne, ‘Quelques problématiques pour la mort du lépreux?’

3. Bellencombre, Tous-les-Saints

dép.: Seine-Maritime, arr.: Dieppe, cant.: chef-lieu

Augustinian leper house, Rouen diocese

Founded in 1130 by the châtelaines of Heuze. The church was consecrated in 1135 by Hugh of Amiens, archbishop of Rouen (1129–64).