Pilgrims
Pilgrims came to Reading Abbey in large numbers.
In the middle ages, a pilgrimage was the nearest thing to a holiday
away. People would go together to one of the famous pilgrimage centres,
such as the shrine to Thomas a Beckett at Canterbury. Each Abbey would
have a relic, something of religious importance, which the pilgrims
would come to see. They would hope to have past misdeeds forgiven or
be cured of a disease. The most important relic in Reading Abbey was
the hand of St James, but there were over 200 more.
A Pilgrim would arrive at the abbey, perhaps after a long journey, and
would be welcomed to the Hospitium which was not a hospital but a guest
house sleeping perhaps as many as 400 people. Pilgrims could stay in
the Hospitium free for 2 nights and 2 days, after which they would have
to pay. The pilgrims would light a candle or make a gift at the shrine
for a relic.
As the Middle Ages went on,
pilgrimage became less important and part of the Hospitium was used
for Reading School from 1485
on.
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