From The Neolithic To The Sea: A Journey From The Past To The Present
Greyfriars Cloisters
Statistics
Category
County
Coordinates
Grid
Condition
Age
Admission
County
Coordinates
Grid
Condition
Age
Admission
Abbey
Norfolk
52°36'18.1"N 1°43'34.8"E
TG 5240907325
Ruin
1271
Free
Norfolk
52°36'18.1"N 1°43'34.8"E
TG 5240907325
Ruin
1271
Free
Map
- History
- Gallery
Greyfriars Cloisters also known as The Grey Friary is the remains of a Franciscan monastic house in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
The friary was founded by Sir William Gerbrigge in 1271, however the Franciscans were established in Great Yarmouth soon after 1226. It was enlarged in 1285, 1291 and 1356 as it prospered by taking in adjacent land to the north and south.
The friary was suppressed in 1538 and the property granted to Thomas Cromwell. Following his downfall in 1540, it was given by the Crown to Sir Richard Williams, who later sold it.
In 1569, it was acquired by the Great Yarmouth Corporation, during the later 16th century parts of the premises were leased to various prominent and wealthy townspeople, a condition of one lease in 1582 was that important visitors to the town should be lodged there. Part of the precinct was also used at this time for the mustering of the Train Bands - civilian militia.
In 1657, the whole site was sold to John Woodroffe, on condition that he constructed two new rows across it, Row 92 and Queen Street. It was subsequently sold and developed piecemeal, but some of the medieval walls were incorporated in 17th century and later buildings.
The standing remains of the cloister were opened up towards the end of the 19th century with other parts exposed and restored since 1945. Substantial buried footings of the friary church and the friary precinct walls to east and west of it were also located beneath Queen Street in 1896, during the excavation of a sewer trench.
The ruins today, comprise of the west range of the cloisters and fragments of the south wall of the church, these are Grade I listed. It is currently under the Guardianship of English Heritage.
The friary was founded by Sir William Gerbrigge in 1271, however the Franciscans were established in Great Yarmouth soon after 1226. It was enlarged in 1285, 1291 and 1356 as it prospered by taking in adjacent land to the north and south.
The friary was suppressed in 1538 and the property granted to Thomas Cromwell. Following his downfall in 1540, it was given by the Crown to Sir Richard Williams, who later sold it.
In 1569, it was acquired by the Great Yarmouth Corporation, during the later 16th century parts of the premises were leased to various prominent and wealthy townspeople, a condition of one lease in 1582 was that important visitors to the town should be lodged there. Part of the precinct was also used at this time for the mustering of the Train Bands - civilian militia.
In 1657, the whole site was sold to John Woodroffe, on condition that he constructed two new rows across it, Row 92 and Queen Street. It was subsequently sold and developed piecemeal, but some of the medieval walls were incorporated in 17th century and later buildings.
The standing remains of the cloister were opened up towards the end of the 19th century with other parts exposed and restored since 1945. Substantial buried footings of the friary church and the friary precinct walls to east and west of it were also located beneath Queen Street in 1896, during the excavation of a sewer trench.
The ruins today, comprise of the west range of the cloisters and fragments of the south wall of the church, these are Grade I listed. It is currently under the Guardianship of English Heritage.
