British coats of arms discovered in former hospital in Jerusalem

A new exhibition will open on June 20 at Jerusalem City House, titled “Among the Symbols.” Among other things, a collection of coats of arms of XNUMXth century British royalty and nobility, found in the building of what was one of the first hospitals in modern Jerusalem, will be on display.

The coats of arms were mapped and deciphered by Shai Halevy and Michael Chernin, researchers at the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAI), who managed to unearth historical moments in the construction that today houses the Jerusalem House of Quality, located near the walls of the Old City, in front of Mount Zion.

Founded by the Order of St John in 1882, the British eye hospital was crucial to the control of eye diseases throughout the Middle East. Furthermore, during the British Mandate period, the hospital grew thanks to the investment of British royalty. The shields were a symbol of gratitude for the royal investments.

Researchers managed to identify 18 of the 23 visible insignia, including those of King George V, Major General Aldred Lumley, 10th Earl of Scarbrough, and brewing magnate Edward Cecil Guinness, among others.

Amit Re'em, Jerusalem regional archaeologist for the IAI, said that “these walls continue to speak to us and reveal the history of Jerusalem.” For his part, Eli Escuido, director of the institution, stated that “every stone in Jerusalem tells a story. Our researchers examine each stone, literally and figuratively, to discover the fascinating history of Jerusalem, in all its expressions and cultures.”