Monument record MLI70006 - SITE OF CARMELITE FRIARY (WHITEFRIARS), LINCOLN

Summary

SITE OF CARMELITE FRIARY (WHITEFRIARS), LINCOLN

Type and Period (5)

  • (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

Full Description

The friary of the Carmelite Order, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded in 1260. It was thought to have been set up by hermits of the Order brought back from Europe by crusaders. It was enlarged in 1280 when Edward I authorised the receipt of land adjacent to the friary. There are references to both friars and local merchants being buried in about 1325, and John Boston of Lincoln buried in 1431. The friary is said to have owned a library of considerable value. At its peak there were 42 friars. The friary was dissolved after 279 years in 1539. {1}{2} A watching brief in 1994 during the installation of sewer trenches revealed robber trenches, walls and three burials associated with the friary. {3}{5}{12}{13} Excavations in 1994-95 revealed walls, foundations, floor levels, the possible precinct ditch and burials. Pottery of Saxo-Norman to late medieval date was also recovered. Although there are no standing remains the sub-ground level preservation is extremely good. {4} Excavations from 1995 to 1997 have established that the friary buildings eventually came to occupy the entire area bounded by the High Street to the east, the river to the west, St Edward the Martyr's Church to the south, and St Mark's Church to the north. It is thought that the area just to the east of the river would have been utilised for pasture and growing crops. A building located towards the west of the site has been interpreted as a possible barn or warehouse connected with river transport. The church was located, unusually, in the southern part of the precinct. It appears to have been demolished in the second half of the 15th century and rebuilt. The exact position of the earlier church was not established, although some pre-15th century high status burials are thought to have been located within the church or in a building attached to it. The date of construction of the cloister is uncertain, but it remained in use until the Dissolution. To the west of the cloister is a kitchen which may have served the refectory. The nave of the later church lies directly beneath the modern station building. At the Dissolution the majority of the friary buildings were demolished. The inner walls of the cloister to the south and west may have been retained as property boundaries for the area which now contains the terraced buildings on the High Street frontage. There is evidence to suggest that the kitchen and immediately adjacent buildings to the north continued in use as private accommodation at least into the 17th century. {6}{7}

Sources/Archives (13)

  •  Bibliographic Reference: D. Knowles and R.N. Hadcock. 1971. Medieval Religious Houses: England and Wales - Second Edition. PP232-8.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: William Page (ed). 1906. The Victoria County History: Lincolnshire - Volume 2. VOL 2.
  •  Article in Serial: WRAGG K. 1994. CLAU ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT NO 7. pp.11-12.
  •  Unpublished Document: S.J. Catney. 1995. PARISH FILE. ST MARK'S. -.
  •  Article in Serial: F.N. Field and I. George. 1996. Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. VOL 31 P 64.
  •  Report: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. 1998. St Marks Station, High Street, Lincoln: Archaeological Investigation. ZEA95; ZEB95.
  •  Archive: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. 1998. St Marks Station, High Street, Lincoln: Archaeological Investigation. LCNCC 95.95; 165.95.
  •  Article in Serial: Otter, M. and Jones, M.J.. 1987. Trust for Lincolnshire Archaeology Third Annual Report. page 27.
  •  Article in Serial: Camidge, K.. 1986. Trust for Lincolnshire Archaeology Second Annual Report. pp.25-27.
  •  Article in Serial: Chitwood, P.. 1988. Trust for Lincolnshire Archaeology Fourth Annual Report. pp.24-26.
  •  Article in Serial: Otter, M. and Jones, M.J.. 1988. Trust for Lincolnshire Archaeology Fourth Annual Report. page 24.
  •  Report: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. 1995. Former St Marks Station Site, Lincoln - Sewer Installation: Archaeological Watching Brief. ZWB94.
  •  Archive: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. 1995. Former St Marks Station Site, Lincoln - Sewer Installation: Archaeological Watching Brief. LCNCC 142.94.

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Location

Grid reference SK 9730 7070 (point)
Civil Parish BOULTHAM, LINCOLN, LINCOLNSHIRE

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Record last edited

Nov 24 2023 10:15AM

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