Site of Monastery at Friar Street

1 In the suburb on the W of the town there was a house of Dominican or Black Friars, established towards the end of the reign of Henry III, but before the year 1263. Ralph Boteler was their chief if not sole founder. Building work was in progress in 1263. In 1268 the church was finished, but certain works were still in progress in 1296. The dedication of the friary is unknown. There were 30-40 religious, and the friary was among the larger ones in England. Information on the later history of the friary exists and it was surrendered in 1538. In 1551 the site was purchased by John, Duke of Northumberland, who held it long enough to completely demolish the church and buildings.
2 Friar Street, somewhere about opposite St Paul’s Church, is the site of the Black Friars Monastery. Out of Friar Street runs Chapel Court, and this joins Friars Court and Monk Street.
3 Black Friars Monastery and/or Burial Ground in this area. Finds include stained glass recovered in 1835 and now in Warwick Museum.
4 No trace of the monastery now remains.
5 Part of a stone pillar and part of a stone capital. From the Friary, identified by P B Chatwin.
6 Five pieces of human bone collected in 1835 and cross-referenced to reference 5.
7 Human remains. SP2764. Excavated by S Ball in filling of foundation trench of a cellar in Friar Street, 1973. Various human and animal bones and some pottery.
8 Human remains were found during building work in Friar Street. At least two individuals were represented, they probably belonged to the cemetery of the Blackfriars.