Lyddington Bede House & Church, East Midlands, England

The manor house originally belonged to the Bishop of Lincoln.  During the reign of Elizabeth I it was converted into an alms-house for 14 people.  Of these it was stipulated that there would be 12 men ‘beadsmen’ who must be over 30 years of age and 2 women who must be over 45, all must be free of lunacy, leprosy and the French Pox.

A bedesman was originally someone who would receive a benefit in exchange for saying prayers for the soul of a donor.  In the later middle ages a bedesman came to mean simply someone in receipt of charity.

The great chamber has a carved cornice, which is an elaborate example of medieval woodwork.  

What survives is only part of what was once a grand manor house which once belonged to the Bishop of Lincoln.  The house has gone through many changes, and in many time periods, it has been expanded and contracted which makes it a bit confusing to work out.  What survives is just one wing of the bishop’s palace, still it possesses some amazing details and has an interesting history.

The church of St. Andrew in Lyddington is just next door to the medieval manor.  The church dates in part from the 14th century with the nave being rebuilt at the end of the 15th century.  The rood screen dates from the 15th century, where traces of the medieval saints can be seen.