Blackfriars, Stirling facts for kids
The Church of the Friars Preachers of St Laurence, Stirling, often called Blackfriars, was a special kind of church building. It was home to a group of friars from the Dominican Order. These friars were called "mendicants," which means they lived simply and often relied on donations from people. This church was built in the 1200s in Stirling, Scotland.
A Look Back: Blackfriars' Story
How It Started
Historians believe that the Blackfriars church in Stirling was started by King Alexander II of Scotland. He was a king who ruled Scotland a long time ago, and he died in 1249. One historian, John Spottiswoode, even said it began in the year 1233. While these dates seem possible, we don't have old documents from that exact time to fully confirm them.
The End of Blackfriars
The Blackfriars church in Stirling was active for over 300 years. Sadly, it was destroyed in June 1559. A historian named Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie wrote that Protestants were responsible for its destruction. Other old papers from September 1559 also mention that the leader of the friars was forced out and the building was ruined earlier that year.
After the church was destroyed, its belongings and income went to a person named Alexander Erskine. However, in 1567, Mary, Queen of Scots, decided that the money from all religious buildings in Stirling should go to the town's leaders. Even so, it seems Alexander Erskine kept control of Blackfriars' income for a long time. The town of Stirling didn't fully take over its possessions until 1652.
