Monument record 1160/9 - Whitefriars

The site of the Carmelite Friary lay in the area bounded by Lady's Lane, Campbell Square, Newlands and The Mounts. It was founded before 1265 and dissolved in 1538. The precinct wall, gate and main friary complex are shown on Speed's map of 1610, and the cloister is depicted on Pierce's map of 1632. The buildings appear to have been incorporated into a 17th cenury mansion, Fleetwood House, which has since been demolished. Trial trenching between Kerr Street and Park Street in 1974 found evidence of walls, tiles and mortared floors. A wall, possibly the precinct wall, was found in Kerr Street in 1972, with 3 walls at right angles to it. At least 2 burials were noted. 13th century stone buildings were noted at the South-West corner of the precinct in 1974, but it is not known whether these were related to the friary. [NB Mapping shows two possible sites for friary, taken from sources.]

{1} The Site of the Carmelite Friary lies in the area bounded by Lady’s Lane, Newlands, Campbell Square and the Mounts. The friary was founded by 1270 and dissolved in 1538. Speed’s map of 1610 shows the precinct wall, gate and main friary buildings and Pierce’s map of 1632 shows what appears to be the main friary complex surviving as a cloister. The prospects of Harris and Buck both show a large house on the site of the friary but the views are inconsistent architecturally. The map of Noble and Butlin, drawn a little later, doesn’t appear to show a large house in this area. It is possible that parts of the friary were incorporated into a house which became the Fleetwood mansion in the late 17th century but which was at least partly demolished by the time of Noble and Butlin’s map. A contractor's trench to the east of Kerr Street (SP 7563 6082) in 1972 exposed a wall running parallel to lady's Lane, presumably the friary precinct wall, with three walls set at right angles. At least two burials were noted. Excavations in 1974 at the apparent south-west corner of the friary precinct (SP 75486080) revealed stonebuildings of probable 13th century date set over a quarry pit of the 12th or 13th century. The relationship of these features to the firiary is uncertain.

{2}Carmelites founded in 1271 by Simon de Montfort & Thomas Chetwood; stood to north-east of Grey Friars; valued at £10.10s per annum

{3}Described by Bridges as being east of Grey Friars & founded in 1271 by Simon Montfort & Thomas Chitwood; valued at £10.10s. Per annum; prior John Howell & 8 other brethren surrendered friary on 20th October in the 30th year of Henry VIII (1538-9); land granted to William Ramesden who later sold it to Francis Samwell

{4}Described by Bridges as being east of Grey Friars & founded in 1271 by Simon Montfort & Thomas Chitwood.

{5} Wall running parallel to Lady's Lane; probably 3 walls set approximately at right angles; interpreted
as precinct walls of Whitefriars.

{6} Carmelites reached England in 1240; friary at Northampton was founded in 1271 by Simon Montford & Thomas Chitwood; mentioned in inquisition of 1275 when stolen goods were deposited with friars; in following year were again subject to inquisition on subject of defrauding town; in 1278 friars were refused permission to enclose portion of town wall however they were granted permission to enlarge friary in 1299 & again in 1363 & 1380; celebrated Carmelite writers at friary included Northampton-born John Avon who was also distinguished mathematician; probably died of plague circa 1350; theological writer William Beaufeu was sometime prior at Northampton & died in 1390; Nicholas Cantilowe mentioned as prior in 1471; house surrendered 20th October 1538 in deed signed by prior & sub-prior & 7 other friars; described at time as beggarly & to credit of mendicant house; pointed oval seal dating to C15th shows saint holding up right hand & grasping in left hand long cross under tree; before him kneels worshipper; on branch is bird; inscription;

{7} Site location plan defines probable extent of White Friars precinct as well as Grey Friars; discussion of evidence for siting of both friaries

{8} White Friars must have settled in Northampton by 1265 & Simon de Montfort was early benefactor; certainly recorded by 1270 when Simon de Pateshull was bestowing lands on them; house was near town wall & additions to it were being made in 1278 & 1299; sited in parish of St Michael near top of Wood Street which was formerly called Whitefriars Lane; lay between Newland & Ladies Lane & Upper Mounts of today

{9}The Carmelite Friary Gatehouse (as suggested by Sarjeantson) can be identified from references to early properties - indicate that it was low on Whitefriars Lane (Wood Street). This would appear to confirm earlier suggestions that Whitefriars and Greyfriars were parallel east and west, and not north and south.

{10} RCHM quotes Speed's map as showing location of Whitefriars but Speed labels the site as Greyfriars instead.

{11} Documentary evidence presented for the siting of Whitefriars to the east of Greyfriars and not north of it.

{12}King gifted #3.18s. To White Friars for food for 9 day period over Christmas along with all other friars in Northampton

{13}Thomas of Brotherton gave Carmelites 8s.4d.

{14}During Edward's illness his sons gave White Friars 4s to celebrate mass for his recovery on 4th Sept. & again on 18th Sept.

{15}When Edward II held first Parliament in Northampton gave 20s. To White Friars for food

{16}King gave 8s.8d. To 26 Carmelites for food

{17}King gave 8s.8d. To 26 Carmelites for food

{19}Said by Tanner to have been founded by Simon Montfort & Thomas Chitwood in 1271

{20}By 1357 Carmelites were again taking steps to extend their premises

{21}Permission granted for Carmelites to acquire further premises

{22}Further application to extend premises

{23}Permission to acquire plot of land adjoining dwelling place for expansion granted

{24}In 1380 Carmelite prior was William Beaufus

{25}In 1407 brother Thomas Rowland fell into bad company & king's knight sent to arrest him & his accomplices

{26}White Friars was in parish of St Michael; report of meeting of Craft Gilds at White Friars in 1427

{27}In 1518 prior John Hogan involved in curious lawsuit; details given

{28}In 1534 Henry VIII's survey valued White Friars house & orchards & gardens within precinct at #3.10s.8d.

{29}Surrendered to king on 20th October 1538; signed by prior & sub-prior & 7 friars; none appear to have received pensions

{30}Dr London's report following suppression indicates friars true to vows & lived life of poverty

{31}Friary bell sold to London grocer John Core; lead stripped from buildings & melted down; valued at #18.18s.11.5d.; lead remained within precincts of house in charge of tenant Francis Samwell

{32}Sulphur cast of seal formerly belonging to Northampton Carmelites; pointed oval dating to C15th; shows saint holding up right hand & grasping in left hand long cross under tree; before him kneels worshipper; on branch is bird; mutilated inscription

{33}Site of friary lately in occupation of Francis Samwell granted in 1544 to William Ramsden; annual rent of 3s.1d.

{34}"….the Gray freres house….stoode a little beyond market place almost by flatte north….the White Freres house stood a little above Gray Friars…."

{35}In 1522 parson of Creaton John Greene left 10s. To "….Friars in Newland…."

{36}Ramsden granted permission to sell to Francis Samwell "….site of late White Friars….& all other possessions of priory within said site…."

{37}Inquiry into case of robbers arriving in Northampton & depositing stolen goods at house of Friars of Mt. Carmel; further report of Carmelite Friars defrauding town of 28d per year which appears to have been settled

{38}Writ to assess Friars application to enclose portion of town adjoining their close & block up crenelles; response from jurors that this would be harmful to town on various grounds & application was therefore refused

{39}Recorded by 1270 when Simon de Pateshull was bestowing lands on them

{40}Sited in parish of St Michael;

{41}Positions of 2 friaries indicated by Cox on map confused; Grey Friars should be White Friars

{42}Gives dates for Whitefriars in Northampton as pre 1265-1538

{43}Further enlargement of friary was sanctioned in 1363

{45}Enquiry into application by Carmelites to enclose plot of land to east of dwelling place

{46} White Friars settled in Northampton before 1270; sited in parish of St Michael near top of Wood Street (formerly Whitefriars Lane); lay between Newland & Ladies Lane & Upper Mounts.

{47} Permission granted to enclose plot of land to east of dwelling place

{48} In 1300 Edward I gave 8s. In January & 24s. In April to provide food for White Friars

{53} Exact site of White Friars house is uncertain; site assigned to bottom of Abington Street untenable; friary was separated from town walls only by narrow passage; it was evidently in Newland as described by deed of 1317-18 in Close Rolls (but does admit uncertainty as to this assumption). Thomas Green who lived on site as boy well remembers old boundary wall which ran along edge of Campbell Square on line of houses now known as Fleetwood Terrace; evidently came close to town walls at corner exactly opposite present entrance to prison.
White Friars is said by Tanner to have been founded by Simon Montfort & Thomas Chitwood in 1271 but recorded in 1270; in 1278 the friars applied to Edward I to enclose a portion of the town wall adjoining the friary, but permission was refused; precinct was enlarged in 1299, 1363 and 1380; house was dissolved in 1538; from gifts of money for food from the king in 1300 it is possible to ascertain that there were 24 friars in house at this time; from similar gifts it is possible to deduce that in 1301 the number was 25; in 1306 18; in 1307 20; in 1310 26; in 1310 Edward II gave Carmelites 8s.8d for food; provincial chapter of all English Carmelites took place at Northampton Friary in 1314 & again in 1320 & 1331 & 1342; no further chapters were held at Northampton which may indicate that friary became House of Study like Winchester (Philosophy) & Coventry (Theology); prior at this time was Northampton-born John Avon who was also distinguished mathematician; probably died of Black Death in 1349; prior in 1423 was Nicholas Cantilupe who died in 1441; list of priors given at end of paper; appears to have been custom in early C15th for Craft Gilds of town to meet at White Friars house including Shoemakers Gild; wills listed; 6s.8d. In 1455 from mercer Richard Freeman; 40d in 1464 from Henry Stones; in 1497 from mercer Thomas Derby; in 1511 3s.4d. From John Smyth; in 1512 10s. From Margaret Lolle; following Dissolution site of friary passed to William Ramsden who shortly afterwards sold it to Francis Samwell

{54}On 26th September king awarded 6 oaks from Geddington Forest to Friars of St Mary of Mt. Carmel in Northampton

{55}Granted friars 6 more oaks for building from Salcey Forest

{56}"….king grants to William Ramsden….late house of Carmelite Friars….enclosure…circuit & precincts….all & singular messuages….houses….buildings….also…vineyards… .gardens…orchards…. pools…. stews…. fishponds….fishing rights…. within said site….close of land….on east side of Dormitory of said late house & priory…close of land called Shylde Close and a cottage in the same close….on east side of the Dormitory….lately in occupation of….Richard Johnson…" Ramsden was granted permission to sell to Francis Samwell "….close called Shylde Close with pond therein on east side of dormitory and all other possessions of priory within said site….". "….king….reserved to himself all lead….iron….glass & stone whatsoever belonging to….cloister….dormitory…bell tower….chapter house….refectory"

{57}Shows main friary complex surviving as cloister

{58}In 1534 Henry VIII's survey valued White Friars house & orchards & gardens within precinct at #3.10s.8d.

{59}Death of Alice Wakelyn in 1426; lived as recluse in anchorage or cell attached to White Friars church; followed rule of Carmelite recluses; succeeded by another recluse Margaret Hawton;

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<30> LETTERS & PAPERS, 719 (Document). SNN45565.

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Record last edited

Apr 11 2025 2:25PM