Medieval Organization for UK Army Veterans Welcomes First Female ‘Brother’ in 450-year History

October 11, 2024 journo

Alan Gill and Janet Brodie-Murphy move into historic Tudor home for veterans, The Lord Leycester – SWNS

An Elizabethan order that has been a home for senior or infirm army veterans since the 1500s just welcomed its first female ‘Brother.’

450 years and 400 male residents have passed through the doors of the Lord Leycester in Warwick. Now though, the organization has selected Janet Brodie-Murphy as its first female Brother at the prestigious site which has remained largely unchanged since it was first built.

The Lord Leycester, in Warwick, was established as a hospital and home for soldiers by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in 1571 during the reign of Elizabeth I, but the buildings themselves date back even further—to the 14th century.

The historic timber-framed buildings enjoy the highest level of government protection and have remained a community for this organization of veterans, known as ‘Brethren,’ ever since.

Janet has moved in with fellow veteran and partner Alan Gill who she met at London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea. Alan will also become a member of the Brethren but within the community they will be referred to as “Brother Jan” and “Brother Alan,” just as in Tudor times.

Janet, who served in the Women’s Royal Army Corps, said that being able to call somewhere like the Lord Leycester home “is a huge honor and privilege.”

“I’m keen to help raise the profile of this wonderful place and ensure that everyone knows its quite remarkable history and how significant it is, not just to veterans but to the country as a whole,” she told English media outlet SWNS.

Captain Janet Brodie-Murphy wearing khaki in the back row in 1989 at a training center for the Royal Marines – credit, SWNS

The Lord Leycester is considered one of the most significant medieval sites in Europe and among the finest examples in Britain of medieval courtyard architecture.

“We are an ancient organization founded to take care of wounded veterans in the Tudor age and we haven’t changed much—except now finally we have a female Brother,” said Heidi Meyer, 33rd Master of the Lord Leycester. “I am the first female Master of the Lord Leycester and I am delighted we now have the first female Brother as well.”

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“We have a centuries-long history of welcoming war heroes to live as part of our community, and the Brethren play a key role in welcoming visitors to the site.”

The Lord Leycester was built by the powerful Warwick Guilds in the late 1300s and later given to Dudley. In its 450-year history of use by the Brethren, the Lord Leycester has welcomed over 400 men to live in private lodgings on the site.

Alan Gill and Janet Brodie-Murphy will help welcome visitors to The Lord Leycester – SWNS

It remains a home to former servicemen to this day, who have served in the Army, Royal Air Force, and Navy, and the Brethren welcome visitors at the main gates as well as leading guided tours.

The couple will now join five other veterans who call the age-old buildings home.

The premises have also been used for filming Doctor Who and a TV adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

“We’ve been made so welcome already and are looking forward to getting involved wholeheartedly in life at the Lord Leycester and Warwick,” said Alan, who served as an electrician in the Royal Corps of Engineers.

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