Burnham Norton Friary facts for kids
Burnham Norton Friary was once a special home for a group of monks called Carmelites, also known as White Friars. It was located near Burnham Market in Norfolk, England. Today, it's mostly a ruin, but it has a long and interesting history!
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What Was Burnham Norton Friary?
A friary is like a monastery, a place where monks live together, pray, and work. The monks at Burnham Norton were part of the Carmelite order. This group of monks had to leave their original home on Mount Carmel in Sinai in 1238. So, Burnham Norton Friary became one of the first new homes for them in England.
How it Started
The friary was built in 1241 by two important people, Sir William Calthorp and Sir Ralph Hemenhale. They wanted to create a peaceful place for the Carmelite monks to live and practice their faith.
Who Lived There?
Many monks lived and studied at Burnham Norton Friary over the years. One famous monk was Robert Bale. He was a very smart theologian, meaning he studied religious ideas deeply. Robert Bale was in charge of the friary for a while until he passed away in 1503.
Why it Closed Down
The friary stayed open for almost 300 years. But in 1538, a big change happened across England. King Henry VIII decided to close down many religious houses, including friaries and monasteries. This event is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. When Burnham Norton Friary closed, only four monks were living there. After it closed, the land and buildings were given to Sir Richard Gresham.
What You Can See Now
Even though most of the friary is gone, you can still see some parts of it today. The most important remaining part is the old gatehouse, which is a very old and important building. There's also a tall, free-standing wall that was once part of another building. These ruins help us imagine what the friary looked like long ago.
Images for kids
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An aerial view of the friary ruins.
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