The Duchy of Lancaster
What is the Duchy of Lancaster?
The Duchy of Lancaster is an ancient body responsible for managing a portfolio of land, property and financial investments on behalf of the reigning Monarch who also holds the title of Duke of Lancaster. The Duchy originally began as a gift of land from Henry III to his son Edmund in 1265 from the estates of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, which were seized after his rebellion against the crown in the 1260s and defeat at the Battle of Evesham.
The estates and jurisdiction now known as the Duchy of Lancaster have directly belonged to the reigning Sovereign since 1399. It is administered on behalf of The King by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Clerk of the Council.
The rural estates consist of 18,481 hectares of land in England and Wales and comprises commercial, agricultural and residential properties, the majority of which are in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Lincolnshire. Additionally the Duchy has a significant commercial and investment property portfolio centred largely in London.
The Duchy has many other duties including ceremonial, management, educational and church appointments throughout the Duchy lands, as well as the upkeep of castles and historic buildings and the administration of ownerless estates.
So why Trinity Hospital?
Trinity Hospital was founded in 1331 by Henry Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster, to provide housing for 50 ‘old and infirm persons’ in the Newarke district of Leicester. Between 1354 and 1356, the 2nd Duke of Lancaster established a chantry college here and linked the hospital to the college, with an allowance of one penny a day. Further benefactions were later made by John of Gaunt when he became Duke of Lancaster. Almost 300 years later, in 1614, King James I granted a new Charter and gave the institution the name “Hospital of the Holy Trinity”.
The original site of the Hospital and College of the Newarke lay within an area formed by an enclosure wall and the only trace of the College is a few arches preserved in the basement of the College of Art and Technology which now stands on the site. The Hospital still survives and all the buildings now form part of the De Montfort University campus. In 1994, the charity moved to a purpose-built housing scheme on Western Boulevard where it provides residential sheltered housing accommodation for up to 23 elderly residents.
Canon Barry Naylor
Chaplain of Trinity Hospital
The Master of Trinity Hospital continues to be the Lord Mayor of Leicester during his or her term of office.
An ancient stipend of £246 per annum has been paid by the Duchy of Lancaster to the Hospital since its foundation in 1331. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is a Visitor to Trinity Hospital and appoints the Chaplain by Letters Patent on behalf of Her Majesty.
The present Chaplain is Canon Barry Naylor who was appointed in October 2009.
In the 21st Century the Chaplain of Trinity Hospital is required to be an Anglican Priest, and my role as a member of the Senior Staff and a Governor (Trustee) of the Charity.
As ‘Chaplain’ I am therefore responsible for the regular and special Services (both Anglican and non-denominational) in our lovely Chapel. I am available for pastoral care of residents, staff and relatives (regardless of creed or background). As an ‘ex-officio’ Governor I attend and take part in all Governors meetings (and their committees). As part of the Senior Staff I am involved in much of the day to day life and administration and the office staff.
Canon Barry Naylor
