Dartmouth Friary facts for kids

Dartmouth Friary was a home for Augustinian friars in Dartmouth, Devon, England. It was started in 1331 but stopped being used as a friary in 1347.

Why a Friary Was Needed

Dartmouth is a town by the River Dart. It's built on a steep hill. The main church for the town was in Townstal, high up on the hill. This church belonged to Torre Abbey.

In 1329, something strange happened. The priest of Townstal church supposedly drowned himself. Because of this, the Bishop of Exeter put a ban on all church services there for two years. This ban is called an interdict.

William Bacon, a rich and important citizen of Dartmouth, was allowed to have private services at his home. But most people in town had no place to worship.

In 1330, King Edward III visited Dartmouth. The town's leaders asked him for permission to build a new church. They said it was "very great fatigue" to climb the hill to Townstal.

The King agreed. He gave permission for William Bacon to give land to Torre Abbey. The idea was to build a new church near the river. However, both Torre Abbey and the Bishop of Exeter did not want a new church built. So, nothing happened.

In 1331, older and sick people were allowed to have mass at a small chapel called St. Clare. This chapel was in a lower part of town. But everyone else still had to climb the hill to Townstal.

The Augustinian Friary Begins

William Bacon was not happy with this situation. In early 1331, he decided to give his land in Clifton to two Augustinian Hermits. He wanted them to build a prayer house and homes there.

They started building quickly. Later in 1331, Bishop Grandisson was upset. He ordered action against two men "pretending to be priests" in Dartmouth. He also kicked William Bacon out of the church.

In 1334, the Bishop allowed Bacon back into the church. The next year, he let the friars use their new chapel. But they could only preach there. They were not allowed to hold mass or hear confessions.

In 1340, a woman named Elena Cove won a court case. She said the friars and William Bacon took her house and land. The court gave her land back. This meant the friary's land was cut in half.

By 1344, Bishop Grandisson and another church court ordered the friars to tear down their chapel. They said it was built on land that belonged to Torre Abbey. The friars asked the Pope in Avignon for help. But the Pope's court also decided against them. They said no new churches could be built on land controlled by Torre Abbey.

A Visiting Bishop

In March 1344, before the Pope's final decision reached Dartmouth, something else happened. A visiting bishop named Hugo of Damascus arrived. He was an Augustinian, like the friars.

He made the friary church and its land holy. He said he had the Pope's permission. Then, he heard people's confessions. He also gave special church forgiveness to some people. He forgave others who had been kicked out of the church. He also blessed some children with oil.

After this, he reportedly went to local pubs. He showed people a ring, saying the Pope gave it to him. This attempt to save the friary did not work. Soon after the Pope's decision arrived, the Augustinian Friars had to leave Dartmouth.

What Happened Later

The problems with the chapel were finally fixed in 1372. A special agreement was made. The Abbot of Torre Abbey and the Townstal priest agreed to let the chapel be made holy. The townspeople would pay for its upkeep and services. If they stopped caring for it, it would be closed.

The chapel was first made holy by Bishop Brantingham on October 13, 1372. It was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. By 1496, it was known as the chantry chapel of St. Saviour. This name eventually became the main one.

The church standing on the site today is called St Saviour's. It is a very important historic building. Some parts of the church, like two pairs of columns, might be from the original 14th-century building.

Images for kids

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  St Saviour, Dartmouth, Devon