Monument record 1160/9/5 - Church of The White Friars

{1} By 1310 the White Friars had a church of considerable size. Prior William Beaufus died circa 1390 and was buried in the friary church. There is a report of fugitives taking sanctuary in the friary church in 1400. A bequethal of 10s. By Margaret Lolle in 1512 for work in Lady Chapel at White Friars. Further donations to the Image of Our Lady in 1512 of 12d. By William Thompson, and a ring by Agnes Hayward. In 1526 Agnes Barwicke of Irthingborough left "….to our Lady off White Freers in Northampton a pere of coral bedis….". In 1528 Richard Packman left his body to be buried in the friary church and gave 6s.8d. To the friary and a further 4 marks to the friar to sing for him at St Katherine's altar.

{2} Foundations of the church were uncovered in 1846 under road now known as Kerr Street.

{3} In 1310 the White Friars obtained leave to have 6 altars in their church. Four provincial chapters were held in the church during C14th. Foundations of church were uncovered in 1846 under road now known as Kerr Street.

{4} Dedications to new work in Lady Chapel in 1512, 1518, 1519, 1526 and 1537. Burials were recorded in 1528. Also money was donated to the fabric of the building in 1514 and 1532.

{5} Bishop Dalderby of Lincoln granted permission to have six fixed altars consecrated in their conventual church. One was dedicated to St Catherine.

{6} Commission issued to Mayor of Northampton. William Hawk, John Carpenter and others gaoled for larceny and other felonies had escaped and taken sanctuary in White Friars' church.

{7} In 1423 the White Friars again engaged in building operations. Buttresses supporting the south aisle of the church had been recently rebuilt and were thought to be encroaching on the public way. The matter was decided in favour of the friars. Translation of a document given in Serjeantson.

{8} Dr London reports that in 1539 the chancel of White Friars had a new fair roof covered with slate. Suggests this would be useful for new house at Grafton Regis.

{9} Robert Clerc escaped from Northampton Gaol in 1378 and took sanctuary in the church of the Carmelite Friars.

{10} Decorated tile floor found below Kerr Street in 1846; "….nearly opposite Wood Street stood church. Part of the floor was discovered in digging out foundations of a house adjoining Lady-Lane, in ornamented encaustic tiles….at 6ft from surface in layer of black ashes….a skeleton….buried in a grave with stone sides and a large slab on top….not removed….the greater part of the site of the church is under the road now called Kerr Street….".

{11} "….king….reserved to himself all lead….iron….glass and stone whatsoever belonging to church….".

{12} The Church of St Mary of Mount Carmel, Northampton must have been of considerable size as the friars were granted six altars. Commission issued to Mayor of Northampton. William Hawk, John Carpenter and others gaoled for larceny and other felonies had escaped and taken sanctuary in the White Friars' church. Donations to the Image of Our Lady in 1512 of 12d. By William Thompson and a ring by Agnes Hayward just before Dissolution. In 1528 Richard Packman left his body to be buried in the friary church. Following Dissolution the chancel of the church was described as being new and fair, and covered with slate which would be useful for the king's use at Grafton Regis.

{13} Decorated tile floor found below Kerr Street in 1846.

{14} Some traces of the site have recently been discovered at the corner of Kerr Street but there are no remains of the building.

<1> SERJEANTSON R.M., The White Friars of Northampton, p.1-18 (checked) (Article). SNN994.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP76SE27 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.58-59 (checked) (Series). SNN100370.

<4> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.231-32 (checked); Copy in NDC SMR File M28; (Extract). SNN1080.

<5> 1310, Memoranda, (unchecked) (Document). SNN45987.

<6> Calendar of Patent Rolls, 2 Henry IV (1400) pt.1 m.12 dors (unchecked) (Document). SNN978.

<7> 1423, Liber Custumarum, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN45556.

<8> Letters and Papers, (unchecked) (Document). SNN45566.

<9> 1378, Coroner's Rolls, (unchecked) (Document). SNN41572.

<10> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.50 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1032.

<11> Calendar of Patent Rolls, 36 Henry VIII (1544) pt.6 m.10 (unchecked) (Document). SNN978.

<12> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.148 (checked) (Series). SNN100369.

<13> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.339 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<14> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.118; Handwritten notes in NDC SMR File M28;; (unchecked) (Book). SNN1002.

Record last edited

Jul 11 2023 8:57AM