Rahere
Encyclopedia
Rahere (died 1144) was clergy
man and a favourite
of King Henry I
. He is most famous for having founded St Bartholomew's Hospital
in 1123.
Many of the details of Rahere's life have become confused with legend, but undoubtedly a historical Rahere existed and did many of the things in the legends about him. He has been described as a clergyman (clerk), a courtier, a minstrel
, and a jester, and may at different times in his life have been all of these.
He is listed as one of the Canons of St Paul's Cathedral
in a document of 1115. On a pilgrimage to Rome, he fell ill and had a vision of St Bartholomew, who told him to found a hospital. On his return to England, he adopted a religious calling, and in 1123 founded St Bartholomew's Hospital
and the nearby church of St Bartholomew-the-Great
, becoming prior of the church, a post he held until his death in 1144. His ornate tomb can be found in the church.
Rahere is the subject of a poem, "Rahere", by Rudyard Kipling
, collected in his book Debits and Credits, and is a major figure in Kipling's story "The Tree of Justice", collected in his book Rewards and Fairies
.
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man and a favourite
Favourite
A favourite , or favorite , was the intimate companion of a ruler or other important person. In medieval and Early Modern Europe, among other times and places, the term is used of individuals delegated significant political power by a ruler...
of King Henry I
Henry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
. He is most famous for having founded St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
in 1123.
Many of the details of Rahere's life have become confused with legend, but undoubtedly a historical Rahere existed and did many of the things in the legends about him. He has been described as a clergyman (clerk), a courtier, a minstrel
Minstrel
A minstrel was a medieval European bard who performed songs whose lyrics told stories of distant places or of existing or imaginary historical events. Although minstrels created their own tales, often they would memorize and embellish the works of others. Frequently they were retained by royalty...
, and a jester, and may at different times in his life have been all of these.
He is listed as one of the Canons of St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
in a document of 1115. On a pilgrimage to Rome, he fell ill and had a vision of St Bartholomew, who told him to found a hospital. On his return to England, he adopted a religious calling, and in 1123 founded St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
and the nearby church of St Bartholomew-the-Great
St Bartholomew-the-Great
The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great is an Anglican church located at West Smithfield in the City of London, founded as an Augustinian priory in 1123 -History:...
, becoming prior of the church, a post he held until his death in 1144. His ornate tomb can be found in the church.
Rahere is the subject of a poem, "Rahere", by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
, collected in his book Debits and Credits, and is a major figure in Kipling's story "The Tree of Justice", collected in his book Rewards and Fairies
Rewards and Fairies
Rewards and Fairies is a historical fantasy book by Rudyard Kipling published in 1910. The title comes from the poem Farewell, Rewards and Fairies by Richard Corbet. The poem is referred to by the children in the first story of the preceding book Puck of Pook's Hill...
.