Agnes Bottenham (C14th)

A blue plaque to Agnes was unveiled in September 2017 on the Rai D’Or pub on Brown Street. It reads “Here dwelt Agnes Bottenham Landlady of the Rydedorre who founded Trinity Hospital for the poor c 1370”. She established the hospital to give shelter to 12 needy people, and for up to 18 sick people on a temporary basis, at a time when there was little competition to offer this kind of welfare. From then on, Trinity Hospital’s charitable work has remained unbroken. Today the office of Salisbury City Almshouse and Welfare Charities is based there. Local archaeologist Phil Harding unveiled the plaque and explained why Agnes was a worthy recipient, despite her reputation as a brothel keeper (which, he thought, might have been somewhat embellished over the years). Perhaps it was out of guilt, a feeling that she had to atone for her past sins, but whatever the motive, she had invested the profits of her enterprise into a magnificent memorial to her public spiritedness. The unveiling event was organised by the Salisbury Civic Society in association with the Salisbury and South Wilts branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).