Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The precinct of the Blackfriars c 1236.

Monument Types

• MONASTIC PRECINCT (Medieval to Unknown - 1236 AD)

Full description

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From the Register of Scheduled Monuments:

Open areas including Blackfriars precinct and archaeological area of the Roman and Saxon town, W of the R Stour - two garden areas on the site of the Blackfriars (c1236). The S area lies over part of the nave and choir, and the smaller, northern area over part of the main N range, probably the kitchen and E end of the dorter.

E of the R stour - at the time of the Blackfriars largely orchards and gardens, but previously within the Roman and Saxon town. One surviving monastic building is included, now used by the boy scouts. The guest house of the Blackfriars: it is in flint with stone dressings. Very much restored 1937/8 and all doors and windows are modern. The first floor is concrete (1943) but the supporting offset and corbels are Medieval. At the W are the remains of an original flue (incorporated into a modern furnace) with blocked Medieval windows to either side.

(It occurs to me that as this scheduling includes archaeological areas within Roman and Saxon town, a separate record should be completed?)


In 1237 Henry III granted the Dominican Friars and island site on the river Stour. The church was almost completed by 1244 while other buildings seem to have been built ca 1260. A plan made in 1595 shows the frater lay on W side of cloister, the church to the S. AR Martin interpreted the dorter as laying over N wing of cloister. The 2 garden areas E of the Stour (not W as incorrectly stated on AM7) occupy the major part of the church site (garden to S) and the W end of the N range (garden to N). W of the Stour (not E as incorrectly stated on AM7) the SA contains what is interpreted as Guest Hall of the Friars. The building, of flint with some patches of brickwork has been much restored but there is 14th century trefoil headed lancet in N wall. The Lancets in S wall look restored.

Guesthouse: listed grade 1, wall: listed grade 2

(13/04/89)(1)

In 2009 Canterbury Archaeological Trust excavated the Marlowe Theatre site. Possible evidence relating to the medieval friary was found in the form of a peg tile hearth. (2)

<1> English Heritage, Register of Scheduled Monuments (Scheduling record). SKE16191.

<2> Weekes, J., 2012, Canterbury Archaeological Trust Interim Reports, Archaeologia Cantiana CXXXII 2012: 291-305 (Article in serial). SKE25119.

Sources and further reading

Related records