Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Winchelsea Greyfriars
Hob Uid: 419227
Location : East Sussex Rother Icklesham
Grid Ref : TQ9060017090
Summary : Remains of a Franciscan Friary. Originally founded in the old town, the earlier site was destroyed by the sea in 1288. The new site was occupied by then, and was dissolved in 1538. The ruined quire is the only surviving building, and is unique in England as being the only quire of the order which terminates in a semi-hexagonal apse. Only a part of the South wall of the nave also remains. Buck's plan of 1737 showed the cloister to be to the South of the church, the West range at that time being incorporated in a mansion which was demolished in 1819. The refectory, with a pulpit, was in the South range.
More information : Grey Friars Monastery-ruins of its chapel still exist(1) Franciscan House, founded before 1253 moved in 1269 to vacant site of castle. Dissolved 1538. (2) Only the ruins of the friary chapel nave remain (see above). No trace and no local information on other friary buildings. (3) (TQ 90601709) Remains of [NAT] Friary [NR] (Franciscan founded 1243) [NAT] (4) II The Ruins of the Church of Grey Friars Monastery, Winchelsea. *A scheduled Ancient Monument. In the grounds of the last item. Remains of the Chancel of the Church in Decorated style, 1310-20 circa. 4 bays. Half-hexagonal East end of 3 bays. Fine pointed chancel arch at West end. One w. has the remains of tracery. Turret at the South West angle. (5) (See TQ 91 NW 2 for diagrams & illustrations.) (6)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 1:2500 1977
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : DOE (HHR) Battle RD, Sussex, Jan 1954, 78.
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : R1 CAP 01-DEC-85
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1538
Monument Start Date : 1269
Monument Type : Franciscan Friary, Chapel
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : ES 7
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 410276
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 91 NW 10
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2006-01-01
End Date : 2006-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Winchelsea Greyfriars