Dorchester Friary facts for kids

Dorchester Friary, also known as Dorchester Priory, was a special kind of religious home for Franciscan friars. Friars are like monks, but they often live among people and help them. This friary used to be in Dorchester, Dorset, England.

It was located on the north side of the town, right by the River Frome. It was also a short distance east of where Dorchester Castle once stood. The friary was likely started by a king or queen and was active by the year 1267. It was closed down in 1538 during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was when King Henry VIII of England closed many religious houses in England.

Life at Dorchester Friary

In 1296, records show that 32 friars lived at Dorchester Friary. They received many gifts and money from important people over the years.

Important Supporters

• Thomas Bitton, who was a Bishop of Exeter, gave gifts.
• Elizabeth de Clare, a powerful noblewoman, also supported them.
• John de Waltham, a Bishop of Salisbury, was another generous donor.

King Richard III of England even put the Hospital of St John the Baptist in Dorchester under the friars' care. This was interesting because the previous king, Henry VI, had given it to Eton College.

Friary Properties

The friars also owned other valuable things. These included:

• Watermills that helped them earn money.
• Barns for storage.
• Gardens where they could grow food.

In 1485, a man named Sir John Byconil was recognized as the friary's "chief founder." This was because he had been very generous. In return, it was decided that any new boys joining the friars would be called "Byconil's Friars."

The Friary Closes Down

The job of closing Dorchester Friary went to Richard Yngworth. He was the new Bishop of Dover. His task was to take control of the friary's buildings and land for King Henry VIII.

The friary's leader, Dr William Germen, eventually signed the official papers to give up the friary. This happened at the end of September 1538.

New Owners

After the friary closed, a man named Edmund Peckham bought the buildings and land. He worked for the King's Household. In 1547, he sold them to Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton.

Later, the estate went to Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles. He was a Member of Parliament. He had married Dorothy Ashley, whose father, Sir Francis Ashley, had bought the property from Southampton. Sir Francis Ashley had made many changes to the house.

Denzil Holles' son, Francis Holles, 2nd Baron Holles, was born there in 1627. When the Holles family line ended, the estate passed to John Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle.

What Happened to the Building?

In 1837, a historian named James Savage wrote about Dorchester in his book, History of Dorchester. He said that the friary house had been standing "a few years ago."

Savage described the building as:

• "a long low and irregular building"
• The eastern part seemed the oldest, with three old windows.
• At the west end, there was a long hallway, which might have once been a sleeping area for the friars.

Today, not much of the original friary building remains.