A Maison Dieu is recorded to have been located in White Friars Lane in the fifteenth century. Founded by John de Howme, whose will is dated April 20, 1490, the Maison Dieu is also recorded in the will of Ralph Moyses, 1471, who left 10s to repair 'the house of God called Maison Dieu in the 'Whytefreyrlane' and 1s to the poor in that site' (in Raine, 1955, 63). On the September 7, 1481, 40 days indulgence was granted to all who aided the poor in this house (Reg Rotheram, 202; Raine, 1955, 63).
Richard Kirke, in his will of 1485, gave his garden in Whitefriar Lane to the executors, providing that they give part of the garden to the poor in the Maison Dieu of John Howme, with free entrance and exit (Raine, 1955, 63). Raine also mentions Skaife's reference to a York rent roll, listing money from a garden in a certain lane called 'Whitefreerlane' near the 'Stonebow', and a 1487 will of John Carre leaving a bed to the poor in the Maison Dieu in that lane (Raine, 1955, 63). In 1575, an order was given to 'dress the layne called White Frear lane and so kepe it clean every week' (YC E31 92b, Raine, 1955, 63).