¶ The description/ and foundation of the holy apostolic Hospital/ and Confraternite of the holy ghost in Rome/ and by whom it was first found and edified.  
 depiction of the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove, descending on Mary, mother of Jesus, and twelve disciples   

¶ For the instruction of all such as desire to know how the apostolic hospital & confraternite of the holy ghost in Rome was first found/ and by whom it was established and/ in what place it is edified: in this little treatise here following it shallbe declared.  
¶ first ye shall understand/ that this said hospital is edified near unto the water of Timber a this side the bird 〈◊〉 ●●ynt Ange within a large bow shoot of saint Pe●●●●●●urche and palace of our holy father the pope/ and next unto bridge (that now is fallen in decay & ruin) the which is called the bridge of Nero. And more over within the said Hospital is a fountain/ which yet at this time is called the fountain of Nero. And where as now is the vineyard of the said Hospital/ some time there stood the palace of Nero. And also where as now standeth the church of the said hospital (as we find by writing) the said Nero caused a house to be builded/ which was called Taberna meritoria: that is to say the house of pity/ the which house the said Nero let build to the similitude of another called Taberna meritoria: where as now is edified the church of our Lady/ over water of Timber/ in the which place at the hour that our saviour jesus was borne sprang a fountain of oil the which ran into Timber in the sight of all people. And in to this foresaid house were received all ancient gentlemen & men of war/ that had travailed in battle about the public wealth/ which in their age were fallen in poverty/ and were not able to succour themself: than in the said house they were honestly nourished.  
¶ And sith the time our faith catholic hath been established and augmented/ in the said place hath been edified a right fair church in the worship of god/ and of the virgin mary/ the which was called Sancta Maria ¶ Also in the said hospital to receive the seek people be ordained. three C. beds/ where sometime ye shall see. iii. or iiii. C. seek folk and more.  
¶ Also the children that be given to the said hospital to govern: for as many as they have (both in the said Hospital & i the country/ the which be put to nourish at a place accustomed for them/ till they be. v. or. vi year of age) for each of those children they pay a ducat a month/ & sometime they have a M. & sometime more: the which they kep● & nourish till they be able to learn some science: & some of the men children be religious men/ & some craftis men & some be servants in the said place. And likewise they keep the maiden children till they be spousable/ & than they marry them honourably at the dispense of the said hospital.  
¶ Also in the said hospital be priests & religious men/ the serve god both day & night. And there be also. three C. lrvi. hospitals belonging to the said hospital/ the which be in divers countries: & in them also the said warkis of mercy be acomplished. And in the foresaid hospital daily is a dole of breed & meet to poor people from morning to noon.  
¶ Also in the said hospital be many servants/ that take wages: and also they find many soldiers/ that guard & defend certain castles: as the castle of saint Severe Tryꝑgule/ & other being on the parts of the myscreantꝭ. wherefore Pope Innocent the viii Alexander the vi Pius the iii july the ii and also our holy father pope Leo that now is/ saying the great cost & charge of the said hospital the which they be not able to sustain without the charity & alms of christen people: wherefore our said holy father hath confirmed & extended the confraternite/ & all the indulgences of the said hospital/ willing that it should be published/ & conduted in all places within cristendome: as it appeareth in the bulls & vulgaries of the said holy fathers.  
¶ Also the said indulgence & confraternite were never denulled/ revoked/ nor violate: but always augmented. Also the work of misericorde of the said hospital daily be augmented by the help of good christian people/ and principally within this Royalme by the sacred majesty of the most mighty king of England/ the most reverent father my lord Cardinal and legate/ my lord the Archibysshop of Caunturbury primate of England/ and of all other prelate's.  
¶ Also the said holy matter is conduted by the very religious persons of the said hospital and order of the holy ghost: among whom is a special Comyssarie/ which may make and ordain perpetually the said confraternity and indulgence in all churches/ where he and his substitutes shall erect the foresaid pardon.  
¶ Wherefore than so great and dign pardon/ given for so holy a cause ought vat to be refused: but with great devotion should be desired both for them that be alive/ and for them that be deed.  
¶ And finally/ though no pardon were granted to the said hospitayll/ yet for the honour of god/ and to fulfil the marks at misericord/ that every christian man & woman ought to put to their helping hands to the susten fashion of the poor people and other work of charity that daily he done in the said hospital/ to the end that for their good deeds (done in this world) they may obtain the joy of paradise and reign with the father and the son/ and the holy ghost world without end. Amen.  
¶ Thus end●●h the description and foundation of the holy apostol●●●ospitall of the holy ghost in R●●●●ulgarly called saint Esp●●●●.