Sutton, Esq., purchased it of the Earl of Suffolk for 13,000 pounds,
anno 1611, and converted it into a hospital by virtue of letters
patent obtained from King James I., which were afterwards confirmed
by Act of Parliament, 3 Charles I.

Pounds s. d.
The manors, lands, tenements, and
hereditaments which the founder
settled upon this hospital
amounted to, per annum 4493 19 10
The revenues purchased by his
executors, &c., after his death,
to per annum 897 13 9
Total of the charity per annum 5391 13 7


But the revenues now amount to upwards of 6,000 pounds per annum by
the improvement of the rents. This charity was given for the
maintenance of fourscore old men, who were to be either gentlemen by
descent reduced to poverty, soldiers by sea or land, merchants who
had suffered by piracy or shipwreck, or servants of the King's
household, and were to be fifty years of age and upwards at their
admission, except maimed soldiers, who are capable of being admitted
at forty years of age. Nor are any to be admitted who are afflicted
with leprosy, or any unclean or infectious disease, or who shall be
possessed of the value of 200 pounds, or 14 pounds per annum for
life, or who are married men. No poor brother to go beyond sea
without the licence of six of the governors, nor to go into the
country for above two months without the master's leave, and during
such absence shall be allowed but two-thirds of his commons in money