Until the 19th century, Trumpington Street marked the edge of
Cambridge’s development to the south, along the main London
road. Beyond this were vast fields and open fenland. It was
here, at Spittle End, that the leper hospital of Saints Anthony
and Eligius was founded in 1361. It was one of the many leper
hospitals – or 'leprosaria' – which sprang up all over medieval
Europe, at a time when leprosy was endemic. Leprosy (or Hansen’s
Disease as we now know it) has varied symptoms, but primarily
affects the skin, nerves and mucous membranes, resulting in
painful skin lesions and disfigurements. Leprosy was regarded in
many different ways in the Middle Ages. Some saw it as a
manifestation of God’s punishment, associated with lust and
other kinds of sexual sin. Others believed lepers were enduring
a kind of Purgatory on earth and therefore their suffering was
considered more holy than that of an ordinary person. Strict
leper laws were enforced throughout Europe, which segregated
sufferers in an attempt to contain