ST. CROSS, (Hampshire) near Winchester, a hos. founded by Will. Rufus, for relieving distressed travellers with a manchet of bread, and a pot of beer. Cardinal Beaufort, Bp. of Winchester, half brother of K. Hen. IV. endowed it with lands worth 500 l. a year, for the maintenance of a master, 2 chaplains, 35 decayed gentlemen, and 3 women; but dying, before the foundation was compleated, Hen. VI. incorporated them under a rector of their own, by the name of the New Alursh of Noble Poverty, and gave them a common seal, and power to purchase, &c. Since the civil wars, their number is reduced to 14. They wear black gowns, go to prayers twice a day to the Ch. which is built in the form of a cross; and have 2 hot meals a day, except in Lent, when they have only bread and butter, or cheese, and 12 s. in money, to buy what other provisions they please; but there have been very few gentlemen admitted, since the Rest. the generality being broken tradesmen, put in at the pleasure of the master, who lives very grand, his income being 800 l. a year; besides, that he is generally a prebend of the cathedral.