Hartlepool Greyfriars |
| Hob Uid: 27794 | |
Location :
Hartlepool
Headland
|
| Grid Ref : NZ5296033830 |
| Summary : Franciscan friary founded in 1240 and dissolved in 1538. It was sited north-east of St Hilda's Church and had a chapel, cemetery, and well. Excavations have located the church and part of the cemetery. The church had a narrow quire of 8 bays. The nave and North aisle were of equal prorportions, and over twice as wide as the quire. They took up 4 bays of a 6-bayed building, separated from the East end by a screen. Between this and the quire was a walking space, and probable central tower, occupying the Eastern 2 bays. An altar and pulpit occupied the East end of the North aisle. This final building phase overlay a smaller masonry church, which either succeeded a timber church, or was contemporary with a temporary timber building occupied during the construction of the first masonry church. No claustral buildings were excavated, but these would have lain to the South of the church. |
More information : (NZ 5296 3383) The Friarage (NR). (1)
A monastery at Hartlepool was founded circa 640 AD and is believed to have been destroyed by the Danes. (See NZ 53 SW 13). A Franciscan Friary founded before 1240 and dissolved in 1530 was sited north-east of St. Hilda's Church. It has a chapel, cemetery, and well. The "Friary" or "Friarage", a late 16th early 17th century mansion, converted to a hospital in 1867 and mostly rebuilt in 1889, is suggested by Sharp as being the site of the Friary, and possibly that of the monastery. In the old walls which surround the Friary grounds, many fragments of ancient masonry are visible, and extensive foundations can be seen between the present mansion and Friary Barn. (2-4)
(NZ 52963383). Hartlepool Hospital appears to be the same building asdescribed by authys 2 and 4. Human remains have been found in the grounds and adjoining playing field. The date of their discovery is unknown. (5) |