Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Site of the White Friars Carmelite Priory founded in 1272 and dissolved in 1538.

Monument Types

• CARMELITE FRIARY (Medieval - 1272 AD to 1538 AD)
• INHUMATION (Medieval - 1272 AD to 1538 AD)

Associated Finds

• BRICK (Medieval - 1272 AD to 1538 AD)
• FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1272 AD to 1538 AD)
• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Medieval - 1272 AD to 1538 AD)
• STAINED GLASS (WINDOW) (Medieval - 1272 AD to 1538 AD)
• COIN (Medieval - 1327 AD to 1377 AD)

Full description

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[TR 3295 5798] Site of Priory [NR] (White Friars, Founded A.D. 1272) [NAT] (1) A Carmelite house was founded at Sandwich in 1272 and dissolved in 1538. The site, which lies between the back of the C17th house in New Street, known as "The Whitefriars", and the ramparts on the SW of the town, was excavated by Stebbing in 1936. Stebbing established basic outline of the complex by trenching. The complex consisted of a church on the north side with a refectory opposite. An enclosed courtyard lay on its south side, a large building within the east range could represent the Chapter House. Stebbing recorded "evidence of considerable occupation of the site and alteration of buildings into the 17th century". (2,3)

There are no extant remains of the priory. The land is being developed, but no remains have been revealed to date [1964?]. (4, 5)

In 1971 rescue works were carried out when foundations were dug. Work concentrated in three main areas; within part of the friary cemetery to the north of the church, along the north wall of the church at the east end of the north aisle and at the east end of the church. Six large sacks of human bones were removed from the cemetery area. (6)

Excavations in 1993 at TR 3297 5795 relocated walls relating to the south and west ranges of the friary complex and part of a previously unknown building, lying just beyond the main west range, possibly a guest house. The main walls can be divided into three broad phases of construction. These excavations recovered a small collection of finds, including glazed floor times and pieces of Roman tile and opus signium, suggesting the reuse of Roman material, perhaps from Richborough. (6)

Site located to centre of cloister on the basis of a composite plan of 1936, 1971 and 1993 works. (6)

<1> OS 25" 1956 (OS Card Reference). SKE48271.

<2> Med Rel Houses, England & Wales 1953, 199 (Knowles & Hadcock) (OS Card Reference). SKE46807.

<3> Arch Cant 48, 1936, 225-7 (W P D Stebbing) (OS Card Reference). SKE35238.

<4> F1 FGA 23-JUN-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42968.

<5> Field report for monument TR 35 NW 14 - June, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6037.

<6> Dover Archaeological Group, 1993, Excavations at The White Friars, Sandwich 1971 & 1993, White Friars: 1971-1993, 1993 Dover Arch group (Unpublished document). SKE6746.

Sources and further reading