Monument record 1160/11/1 - Church, Greyfriars

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Summary

The probable church of the friary was excavated in 1972. A large east-west range close to Princes Street was interpreted as the church largely due to burials inside and outside the structure. Documentary evidence suggests that the church was built in 1246-7 and enlarged in 1283. The archaeological evidence broadly supported these dates, although there were few well-stratified finds. A lead furnace found cut into the church floor may have been used to melt the lead from the roof at Dissolution.

Map

Type and Period (5)

Full Description

{1}Friary seems to have comprised a church......; excavation in advance of development uncovered part of church; several periods of building noted; burials present within church; finds made including architectural fragments & tiles & coins & jettons & bronze seal & medieval pot sherds & other artefacts.

{2} Finds associated with area of Greyfriars precinct.

{3}Excavations uncovered part of the church; area circa 30 x 7m within church was excavated; three building phases identified; latest phase floored with glazed tiles of which many decorated & set into mortar base; many burials located within church.

{6}Excavation of Franciscan Friary uncovered part of church; three building phases identified latest having glazed floor tiles.

{7} Humphrey Duke of Buckingham buried in sepulchre within church of Grey Friars following death at Battle of Northampton in 1460; excommunication sentences pronounced in early C14th against abduction of probable sanctuary seekers in friary church; post dissolution memorandum of receiver Dr. London in 1539 stated that Grey Friars' church was covered with lead.

{12} Mentions that church occupies the greater part of Kerr Street but this is confused with church of the Carmelites or Whitefriars friary.

{13} Foundations of buildings with encaustic tiles found in Prince's Street near Grey Friars Street; speculates whether foundations may be those of St Michael's church. In Greyfriars church was buried wife of William Fitz-Warine; also Giles de Badelesmere who died circa 1290 & Duke of Buckingham killed at Battle of Northampton & also two of Salisburys; church stood nearly opposite Wood Street; greater part of church site is under Kerr Street; note: possibly confused with church of White Friars.

{14}Roger Salisbury buried in church of Saint Francis in order of Friars Minor; bequests etc.

{15}Excavations on site of Franciscan Friary uncovered part of church; area circa 30x7m opened over church; at least three building phases; burials within church.

{16}In 1246 king granted friars 10 good oaks from Salcey towards building of church & houses.

{18}In 1246 Sheriff ordered to carry timber from Salcey Forest to Greyfriars. In 1247 Sheriff instructed to give 15 marks towards cost of roofing church which was therefore nearing completion.

{21}Excavations on site of Franciscan Friary uncovered part of church; area c.30m x 7m within church was excavated; extensively robbed; at leaast 3 phases of building identified; latest phase floored with glazed tiles many of which were decorated & set on mortar base; many closely-packed burials found including vault which had been twice used.

{20} In 1283 friars undertook enlargement of church & king granted them 6 oaks for this work;

{22} Archaeological excavation of the probable church of the friary was very much a salvage excavation. Four main trenches (M, N, P and Q) as well as sections in other trenches (R, S and T) probably recorded the church. It was a major range of buildings on an east-west alignment and if the friary adhered to the normal monastic plan then this should be the church or refectory. It has been interpreted as the church due to the large quantity of early tiles and the presence of burials inside and outside the structure. The excavated building was 30m long and perhaps at least 50m long if the remains in trench S were still part of the same building. The internal arrangements or even the width could not be ascertained. There was no evidence for pre-friary occupation even though St Michaels Church, to the north, appears to have been in existence by 1200. The documentary evidence suggests that the church was constructed in 1246-7 and enlarged in 1283, however, the excavated evidence is more ambiguous. The earliest worked stone dates to the late 12th or early 13th century and must pre-date the construction of the friary; there is a fair quantity of material dating within the period 1300-1360. The Group I tiles, 1275-1330 are contemporary. Phase I can possibly be identified with the mid 13th century construction and Phase 2 with the 1283 enlargement. At the end of Phase 2 the friary was demolished and there was substantial evidence for the destruction by way of robber trenches filled with ironstone rubbles, architectural stonework, tiles and painted glass. In trench M a hollow had been dug through the floor of the church and an oven made of architectural details and tiles. Several puddles of lead were found. Sarjeantson identified a source in 1911 that referenced lead from the building being melted down at the Dissolution and this feature may well relate to that process.


<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.340/Site 16 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M213 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<3> Williams J.H., 1973, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (3), 29 (Journal). SNN896.

<6> 1973, Medieval Archaeology (17), 17/155 (Journal). SNN35139.

<7> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.146 (checked) (Series). SNN100369.

<8> Dugdale, 1817, Monasticon Anglicanum, 166 (Uncertain). SNN9460.

<9> MEMORANDA, 112 (Uncertain). SNN56754.

<11> 1539, Letters & Papers of Henry VIII (LPFD 1-30, Vol.14), Part 1 (unchecked) (Document). SNN56755.

<12> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.118; Copy in NDC SMR File M25; (checked) (Book). SNN1002.

<13> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.48-49 (part checked) (Book). SNN1032.

<14> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.231 (checked); Copy in NDC SMR File M25; (Extract). SNN1080.

<15> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1973, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1972, 21 (Journal). SNN8956.

<16> Calendar of Close Rolls (undated), 30 Henry III/M.17 (unchecked) (Document). SNN2187.

<17> Calendar of Pipe Rolls, 30 Henry III (unchecked) (Document). SNN3785.

<18> Calendar of Liberate Rolls, 30 Henry III m.15 (unchecked) (Document). SNN3497.

<18> Calendar of Liberate Rolls, 31 Henry III m.11 (unchecked) (Document). SNN3497.

<19> SERJEANTSON R.M., 1910, The Greyfriars of Northampton, 279 (Article). SNN3358.

<20> Calendar of Close Rolls (undated), 11 Edward I/M.5 (unchecked) (Document). SNN2187.

<21> 1973, DOE Archaeological Excavations (Various Years), p.97-99 (checked) (Series). SNN45978.

<22> Williams J., 1978, Excavations at Greyfriars, Northampton 1972, p. 104- (Article). SNN459.

Sources/Archives (20)

  • <1> Series: Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England. 1985. An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton. 5 (+Microfiche). H.M.S.O.. p.340/Site 16 (checked).
  • <2> Catalogue: Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S.. 1978-1984. Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets. M213 (checked).
  • <3> Journal: Williams J.H.. 1973. South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (3). South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter. 3. C.B.A.. 29.
  • <6> Journal: 1973. Medieval Archaeology (17). MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY. 17. Society for Medieval Arch. 17/155.
  • <7> Series: Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors). 1906. The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire. 2. University of London. p.146 (checked).
  • <8> Uncertain: Dugdale. 1817. Monasticon Anglicanum. 1. 166.
  • <9> Uncertain: MEMORANDA. LINCOLN EPISCOPAL REGISTE. 112.
  • <11> Document: 1539. Letters & Papers of Henry VIII (LPFD 1-30, Vol.14). 14. Part 1 (unchecked).
  • <12> Book: Whellan. 1874. History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire. p.118; Copy in NDC SMR File M25; (checked).
  • <13> Book: Wetton. 1849. Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity. p.48-49 (part checked).
  • <14> Extract: Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H.. 1913. The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc.. ARCHAEOLOGICAL JOURNAL. LXX. p.231 (checked); Copy in NDC SMR File M25;.
  • <15> Journal: Brown A.E. (Editor). 1973. Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1972. Bulletin of Northants Federation of Archaeol Socs. 8. University of Leicester. 21.
  • <16> Document: Calendar of Close Rolls (undated). 30 Henry III/M.17 (unchecked).
  • <17> Document: Calendar of Pipe Rolls. 30 Henry III (unchecked).
  • <18> Document: Calendar of Liberate Rolls. 30 Henry III m.15 (unchecked).
  • <18> Document: Calendar of Liberate Rolls. 31 Henry III m.11 (unchecked).
  • <19>XY Article: SERJEANTSON R.M.. 1910. The Greyfriars of Northampton. Journal of Northants Nat History Soc & Field Club. 15 No.124. 279. [Mapped feature: #83917 Known extent based on excavated evidence, ]
  • <20> Document: Calendar of Close Rolls (undated). 11 Edward I/M.5 (unchecked).
  • <21> Series: 1973. DOE Archaeological Excavations (Various Years). Archaeological Excavations (Various Years). 1972. Department of Environment. p.97-99 (checked).
  • <22> Article: Williams J.. 1978. Excavations at Greyfriars, Northampton 1972. Northamptonshire Archaeology. 13. Northants Archaeology Soc. p. 104-.

Finds (23)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Location

Grid reference Centred SP 7553 6067 (55m by 17m)
Civil Parish NORTHAMPTON

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Other Statuses/References

  • Northampton Development Corporation SMR: M213
  • Northampton Development Corporation SMR: M25+100

Record last edited

Jul 17 2025 2:14PM

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