Denbigh Friary facts for kids
Denbigh Friary, also known as Henllan Friary, is a set of old, ruined buildings in Wales. It's a special place that used to be home to a group of religious people called monks or friars. This friary is located near the River Clwyd, about one mile east of the town of Denbigh.
It was built a long time ago, between 1343 and 1350, and was dedicated to St Mary. The friars who lived here were part of a group called the Carmelites.
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What is a Friary?
A friary is a type of religious house, similar to a monastery. It's where friars, who are like monks, live and pray. Unlike some monks who stay mostly within their monastery, friars often traveled and preached to people in towns and villages.
The Carmelite Friars
The Carmelites are a Catholic religious order. They started on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. These friars live a life of prayer and service. They take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. This means they promise to live simply, not marry, and follow their leaders.
A Look Back in Time
Denbigh Friary was an active religious community for many years. However, its story changed during a time in history called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was when King Henry VIII in England decided to close down many monasteries and friaries.
The Friary's Closure
On August 18, 1538, the Carmelite friars of Denbigh Friary had to give up their home. An English abbot named Robert Parfew was involved in this event. After the friary closed, some of its buildings were changed into houses. The church building was even used to sell wool!
What Happened to the Buildings?
The friary buildings were mostly built in the 13th and 15th centuries. They stood for a long time, but in 1898, a fire badly damaged them. Since then, the friary has been in ruins.
Exploring the Ruins Today
Even though it's in ruins, you can still see parts of the old friary today. These include sections of the choir, which is where the friars would sing. You can also see a gable end, which is the triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a pitched roof. There are also parts of the nave walls, which formed the main body of the church.
Denbigh Friary is a scheduled monument, which means it's a nationally important archaeological site. It's a fascinating place to visit and imagine what life was like for the Carmelite friars centuries ago.
Images for kids
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A plan showing Denbigh Castle and town walls.
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Leicester's Church, another ruin in Denbigh.
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St Hilary's Chapel Tower.
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Burgess Gate, part of the Denbigh town walls.
