The Audit Room
THE AUDIT ROOM leading off to the left is the room in which all the business of the Hospital was transacted, around the oak table which is over 5 metres long and bears the initials PR for Peter Routh who was Warden in 1583 when it was made. The Hospital had been richly endowed with property and agricultural land in the neighbourhood and an extensive archive remains giving information on all aspects of the management of this and of the domestic affairs of the Foundation.
The stained glass windows in the Audit Room are of the same date as those downstairs and are fully described in the Blue Guide. In the show cupboards at the east end of the room is an ancient almsbox which was recovered from a wall during the alterations.
The massive iron-bound chest was given be Thomas Stokke and used to guard the Foundation Documents and other precious possessions of the Hospital. It was secured by three padlocks and could be opened only when the Warden, the Vicar of All Saints’ Church and one of the men were all present each with his own key. The carved chest of 1629 has a candle-box and a drawer at the foot. The fireplace is original and the carved oak cornice around the top of the walls carries hooks (“tenterhooks”) for the suspension of hangings. The Windsor chairs are of a local pattern and one was placed in each cottage after completion.
The stained glass windows in the Audit Room are of the same date as those downstairs and are fully described in the Blue Guide. In the show cupboards at the east end of the room is an ancient almsbox which was recovered from a wall during the alterations.
The massive iron-bound chest was given be Thomas Stokke and used to guard the Foundation Documents and other precious possessions of the Hospital. It was secured by three padlocks and could be opened only when the Warden, the Vicar of All Saints’ Church and one of the men were all present each with his own key. The carved chest of 1629 has a candle-box and a drawer at the foot. The fireplace is original and the carved oak cornice around the top of the walls carries hooks (“tenterhooks”) for the suspension of hangings. The Windsor chairs are of a local pattern and one was placed in each cottage after completion.
