The history of dermatology in the Sheffield region

When one looks at Sheffield, today England's fifth city, it is difficult to imagine it as it was at the beginning of the seventeenth century, a small town of about 2200 people huddled round the castle near the confluence of the rivers Don and Sheaf. Before that time the only event of dermatological interest was the establishment of a hospital for poor lepers by William de Lovetot, Lord of Hallamshire, in 1181. Leprosy was then very prevalent and similar institutions were established in many English towns. St Leonard's hospital was built on the land granted by de Lovetot near the bridge over the Don; dissolved in the reign of Henry VIII, nothing now remains but the name of Spital Hill.