More information : [Centred TQ 72355885] The Friars [NR]
Erected AD 1240. (1-3)
Ecclesiastic History. Aylesford - Important remains of a Carmelite House, founded 1241-2, dissolved 1538. There is some doubt as to whether this or Hulne was the first English house of the order. Refounded 1949. (4)
Carmelite refugees were brought to England by Rich.de Grey in January 1241-2, who founded a house for them on his manor at Aylesford. The church was dedicated 31.8.1248 but in 1348 mention is made of a new church to be built which was dedicated 4.5.1417. The house was surrendered before 13.12.1538 and granted to Sir Thom.Wyatt in 1542. (5)
Detailed descent of manor from Domesday to date of writing given. Friary founded 1240. (6)
Architectural Description. The first friary consisted of cenobitic wooden huts and a humble chapel enclosed within a moat. [TQ 75 NW 98]. It was soon superseded by a conventional claustral range to the east of the moat, the church of which was consecrated 1248. The friary consisted of the church, with a cloister between it and the river and a cuna or outer court on the west of the cloister. The south and west ranges of the cloister [TQ 75 NW 86] comprising frater and prior's apartments, are probably mainly 13th century but together with the rest of the buildings were remodelled in the 15th century. The new church, a normal friary church, was consec.1417.
[TQ 75 NW 85]. The east range with a separate chapter-house [TQ 75 NW 87] has disappeared under a flood bank and with the church was demolished for building material after the Dissolution. The south and west ranges were incorporated into a mansion, rebuilt in the late 17th century and again after a fire in 1930. The precinct wall and gatehouse [TQ 75 NW 84] date from the 15th century; the gatehouse was radically altered temp.Eliz. An inner gatehouse [TQ 75 NW 91] to the curia was erected in the late 15th century. This curia includes a 15th century guesthouse [TQ 75 NW 89] and water gate [TQ 75 NW 90] and other domestic or farm buildings [TQ 75 NW 88]. The site of the infirmary [TQ 75 NW 92] and of the cemetery [TQ 75 NW 94] have been inferred from post-Dissolution MS sources. [There appear to have been fish-ponds, see TR 75 NW 93]. (7)
Similar infm. but original buildings dated to mid-14th century when transfer from moated site is said to have been made. (8)
The establishment is still known as "The Friars" (Notice board to visitors at the entrance). A stone tablet within the grounds gives the date of foundation as 1241 AD and 1949 AD as the year of re-foundation.
An Antiquity Model survey has been carried out. (9)
Survey of 20.5.59 checked and correct. (10)
The Friars, main block. Carmelite Priory, later house, now returned to use as Carmelite Priory. Founded 1241 with 13th century church rebuilt from 1348 (demolished after reformation); 15th century and 16th century conventual buildings altered in late 17th century, rebuilt after fire in 1930 and subsequent additions after Carmelite return in 1949. (11)
The Friars. Founded in 1242. After the reformation the church was pulled down and two ranges of the cloisters were turned into a dwelling house. This was gutted in 1930, and in 1949 the Carmelites returned. Full architectural description. (12)
Notes on the Carmelite Friary. (13)
Listed Grade I. (14) |