Hospital of the Holy Cross and the House of Charity for the poor noble was based in the city of Winchester in the UK between 1133 and 1136 years. It is the oldest charitable organization in the United Kingdom. Its founder was Henry of Blois, bishop Uinchestersky, grandson of William the Conqueror.

It is not only the oldest but also the largest poorhouse in medieval England. The shelter is still valid, it controls the Master and live here 25 elderly people who are referred to as "brother." They belong either to the Company of the Holy Cross Hospital, founded in 1132, and wear black clothes with a silver cross, or to the Noble Order of the poor, founded in 1445 and dressed in maroon. Sometimes referred to as "black brothers" and "red brothers." Brothers must be unmarried, divorced or widowed, and they must be older than 60 years. The poorhouse reach the most needy. Each provided a separate apartment, consisting usually of a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. Accommodations built in the XV century, and all are on the ground floor. It should be noted that the brothers are not monks, the Hospital of the Holy Cross - a secular organization.

There is still preserved the ancient tradition of helping travelers - anyone who asked about this gatekeeper can get a free piece of bread and a glass of ale.

The complex of stone buildings surround two courtyards. On the outside, the smaller, courtyard out the gate (XVI century), brewery (XIV century), guest wing, a kitchen where the food is cooked to the Master, 25 brothers and 100 poor people, gatehouse and three-storey tower Beaufort was built around 1450 and named in honor of Cardinal Beaufort. Fellowship Hall, which seats Masters, 25 brothers and 100 poor people, living spaces and galleries form the church courtyard. The church was built in the XII-XIII centuries and more like a miniature cathedral than a chapel in the poorhouse. The walls of the church reach a meter in thickness, and the building itself is an example of the transitional style - from Norman to Gothic architecture.