The Leper Chapel, Barnwell, Cambridge.

The Leper Chapel of St Mary Magdalene dates from 1125. It was part of the buildings of a leprosy hospital. Some of the east wall (right) is original. but most was re-built in the 13th century and still retains some Romanesque features.
In 1199, the Chapel was given Royal dispensation by King John, to hold a 3 day fair in order to raise money for the hospital. Starting in 1211 the fair took place around the Feast of the Holy Cross (14th Sep) on Stourbridge common, behind the Chapel.
It grew to be the largest Medieval fair in Europe and raised so much money that the post of priest at the Leper Chapel became one of the most lucrative in the Church of England. It was also a sinecure which gives a regular income for little or no work, as it had no parish. In 1297, the lepers were moved to a colony near Ely. The Chapel was closed in 1546 and used to store the stalls for the next fair. It was restored in 1816 and given to the University, who in turn gave it to Cambridge Preservation Society in 1951. It is now being used for worship as part of the parish of Christ the Redeemer. 'The Friends of the Leper Chapel' was formed in 1999 to promote cultural events, and the fair which had been abandoned was revived and is now held yearly in the Chapel grounds.