Da Vinci Is A Better

Da Vinci Is A Better Way To Be Noticed

Lincoln is soon to become one of THE places to visit after the film of The Da Vinci Code hits the screens.  This event had been brought to mind with the reading of a book on almshouses and mention of Lincoln being the second most important site after  London for a leper hospital.   The Lazar is called thus from St Lazarus and was run by an off-shoot of the Hospitallers  of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem.   It is supposed that the first ever leper hospital in the country was founded in Lincoln by Bishop Regimius during the 11th century.  It was named the Malandry  and built on common land just outside the city walls near Little Bargate.   One item of note was the funding of the Lazar;  on Canwick Hill was situated a gallows, those that were destined to take a last look at Lincoln from this viewpoint were buried by the lepers and the Lazar received payment for this service. Leprosy in those days was  considered your own fault; you must have been afflicted due to your sinful way of life!  After it was discovered that you had the disease you would be given a pep talk by the priest to mend your ways, sprinkled with holy water, given a black gown to wear, a rattle to shake to let all know you were coming by and put into a Lazar and left to fend for yourself.  The Leper would not be allowed to visit a church, mill or bake-house, talk to strangers, touch anything that was for sale nor wash in a running stream.  A shovel full of earth was thrown at the lepers feet and as far as the community was concerned  the leper was already dead   - just not buried yet.    
A local name I have come across is that of FARMERY.  This has little to do with farms but comes from the English habit of knocking letters of from the beginning of French words.  Similarly the hamlet near Caenby Corner named Owmby by Spital gets its name from the shortening of the word Hospital.    The Old French word is enfermerie is the origin of the English infirmary and a FARMERY would most likely work in the monastery infirmary.                                                                                                                                                                                                    
While still on the subject of shutting people away it seems that Sue from Perth, Australia had a relative on the wrong side of the law as far as Australians are concerned.  He, Nathaniel FARRANT lived in Stamford as the Goal Keeper.  Sorry but when I first read this I was thinking of football and wondered what they called the team in those days!!  By 1851 he was a Magistrates Clerk.  Could this be thought of as a step up the social ladder?   If this is your family Sue would be delighted to hear from you.   By 1881 the solitary FARRANT family member to be found in Lincolnshire, is George the bolt-maker of Lincoln who is living in Gainsborough.
The name FARRANT is thought to either come from the Old French ferant which is short for Ferdinand or ferrant being the nickname for one with iron-grey coloured hair.  
Bits and Bobs
Jan 6 1837 – there is now living at Misterton near Gainsborough, Mr James FARAM, who has reached the very advanced age of 102 years, and is in the enjoyment of considerable activity and health except for his eyesight, which has failed.  He is proof that this neighbourhood is not so prejudicial to health as common opinion has held it to be.
Lincolnshire Family History Society   2001