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Two views of the Maison Dieu today. |
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The Hospital of St Mary,
Domus Dei, or Maison Dieu, which forms part of the Old
Town Hall buildings, was founded by Hubert
de Burgh, then Constable of Dover
Castle, in 1203. The main purpose was that it should
accommodate pilgrims coming from the Continent to visit
the shrine of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury.
The original buildings were probably
little more than one substantial hall with a kitchen
and living quarters attached for the Master and Brethren
who 'practised hospitality to all strangers'. Wounded
and destitute soldiers, some staying as permanent pensioners,
as well as pilgrims were accommodated.
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The Maison Dieu in 1801.
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A chapel was added to
the hall in 1227 and dedicated during a service at which
Henry III was present. This chapel, converted into a
courtroom in the nineteenth century, still stands. The
Stone Hall with its magnificent pictures, stained glass,
Cinque Ports
Volunteer flags, arms and armour is thought to be the
"Great Chamber" built in 1253.
In 1534, the Master and Brethren of
the Hall signed an oath accepting the supremacy of Henry
VIII as Head of the Church of England, formally
ending all religious connections with the Maison Dieu.
In 1544 the building was surrendered to the Crown and
until 1830 was used as a supplies base for the navy
and army.
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In 1834 the building was sold to the Corporation
of Dover who, finding their old Guildhall in the Market
Square rather cramped, determined to turn the
Maison Dieu into their new Town Hall. At first the
building was only superficially refurbished for use
as a meeting place for the Town Council. The old chapel
became a courtroom with a prison built below, and
to one side, of the Stone Hall. There was a desire
to fully restore the building but little was done
until 1851 when it was agreed to carry out work suggested
by Mr Ambrose Poynter, an eminent Victorian architect.
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A further seven years
passed whilst attempts were made to raise funds for
the project, until at last a proper programme of restoration
began under the direction of William Burges, another
famous architect of the Victorian era, funded almost
entirely by the Council. Burges admired the style of
mediaeval craftsmen and builders and this can be seen
in his work such as the grotesque animals around doorways,
and in the coats of arms of the Lord
Wardens of the Cinque Ports ranged along each side
of the Stone Hall.
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The Maison Dieu about 1900.
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The Maison Dieu about 1900, showing the Connaught Hall
side of the building.
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Burges designed the Council
Chamber at the end of the hall added in 1867. The Connaught
Hall, adjacent to the Stone Hall was built between 1881-3
as a meeting and concert hall for the town. Built on
the site of the old prison, the building also contained
meeting rooms and offices for the mayor and civic officials.
All were designed by William Burges but completed after
his death by Pullan and Chapple, his partners.
The Maison Dieu is still one of the
main meeting halls in Dover used for conferences, weddings,
banquets, fairs, concerts and theatrical performances.
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The interior of the Stone Hall.
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The Council Chamber.
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