The Hospital of Annan
The site of the original medieval hospital is not known but it is thought to have been situated close to the ford crossing the River Annan.There are still sites in Annan that retain the name of the hospital, the Howes and Spittalriddinghill. The first record of the hospital occurred in the Register of the Priory of St.Bees around 1258. The last record is a mention of hospital lands which formerly belonged to the preceptory of Trailtrow and the hospital within the parish of Annan.(The Register of the Great Seal, vii, no.21)
Robert de Brus' 12th. century motte and bailey, now surrounded by trees on the right of the picture, stands by the site of the original river crossing. The area now known as Howes is on the left and is considered to be the most likely siting of the hospital of Annan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Stewartry of Annandale by Timothy Pont c1583-c1596, also published by Joan Blaeu in 1654. Here we can see the Howes Spittel to the North West of Annan
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