Talk: Celebration and Ceremony at Barts, Charterhouse, and The Royal Hospital Chelsea

The foundation of these organisations is celebrated in founding charters, traditions, and annual ceremonial events. Hear all about these across three talks, before enjoying a hearty performance from the Royal Hospital’s brilliant singing group, the Chelsea Pensioner Singers.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea

Each year on Founder’s Day every Chelsea Pensioner gathers at the heart of the Royal Hospital Chelsea to honour the founding of their home by King Charles II in 1692. The day is steeped in history and tradition, and, having been celebrated almost every year since the Hospital’s opening, it has become the pinnacle of the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s calendar.

St Bartholomew’s Hospital

View Day has been part of the Barts calendar for nearly 500 years, and has possibly existed in some form since the hospital’s foundation in 1123.

Traditionally, View Day has two parts – sharing the work of the hospital with our local community and a more formal inspection of the hospital’s properties. Although viewing patients and wards is no longer appropriate, attendees still get to hear about the work of the hospital, and the projects supported by Barts Charity over the previous year.

The Charterhouse

The Charterhouse is an almshouse charity founded in a former monastery.  Like many ancient institutions it has traditional celebrations and ceremonies, including Founder’s Day, which has been marked by the community for more than 400 years.  In May 2005 the Charterhouse started a new tradition: a sombre ceremony known as Martyrs’ Day, which is held in commemoration of the Carthusian monks executed for treason on the orders of King Henry VIII.

This talk will explore why the violent events of 1535 were pivotal to the history of the Charterhouse, and how a new tradition started.