Frances Bedingfeld facts for kids

Frances Bedingfeld (1616–1704) was a very important nun who helped start the first school for Catholic girls in England. She was part of a group called the Sisters of Loreto. In 1677, Frances founded a special place called Bar Convent in York. This is the oldest Catholic convent still open in England. It was also the first Catholic school for girls in Britain, known as Bar Convent School For Girls.

Frances Bedingfeld's Early Life

Frances Bedingfeld was born in Norfolk, England, in 1616. Her parents were Francis and Katherine Fortescue Bedingfeld. Her family was "recusant," which means they stayed Catholic even when it was against the law in England during the Reformation. All 12 of Frances's sisters also became nuns.

Because of strict laws called the Penal Laws, Catholics in England couldn't get a proper Catholic education. So, Frances went to Europe for school. She studied at a school run by the Sisters of Loreto in Munich, which is now in Germany. People there called the nuns the "English Ladies."

Later, Frances joined the Sisters of Loreto herself in Rome. She officially became a nun in September 1633. After some time, she became the leader of the main house for her order in Munich.

Starting Schools in England

After teaching for many years, Frances Bedingfeld was asked to return to England in 1669. Queen Catherine of Braganza wanted her to start a school for the Sisters of Loreto in London. Frances and other English nuns set up a school for young women. They first started in St Martin's Lane, with help from the Queen.

Life for Catholics in England was still difficult. To avoid trouble, Frances wore a simple gray dress and used a secret name, "Mrs Long." After King Charles II died, the school's location near the royal court felt unsafe. With help from the Queen, Frances found a large house with a garden in Hammersmith.

The Bar Convent in York

From the community in Hammersmith, Frances founded Bar Convent in York in 1677. She was invited by Sir Thomas Gascoigne. This was a very important moment because it was the first convent to open in England after King Henry VIII closed many monasteries in 1536.

First, they opened a boarding school for Catholic girls. Then, in 1699, they started a free day school. Both schools continued to operate even though local officials often bothered them. The authorities suspected them of hiding Catholic priests. Frances Bedingfeld looked after both the London and York communities until 1686, when she moved to York.

Frances's family connections often helped her avoid serious punishment. However, the community faced many searches, and their house was sometimes damaged. Frances was arrested three times: in London (1674), York (1679), and again in 1694. In 1694, she and her great-niece, Mother Dorothy Pastor Bedingfeld, were briefly put in jail at Ouse Bridge in York. In 1695, the community was attacked, and their house was almost destroyed.

In 1699, Frances stepped down as the leader and moved back to Munich. She passed away on May 4, 1704. A house at St Mary's School, Ascot, which her followers founded later, was named in her honor.

Frances Bedingfeld and other women in her family were very important for Catholics in England. They provided leadership to religious groups across Europe. They also created a strong network for English Catholics living abroad. Their work in educating children and offering hospitality to travelers was extremely valuable for keeping Catholicism alive in England.

Even though the convent school closed in 1985, Bar Convent is still the oldest Catholic convent in England. Frances Bedingfeld's work continues today through All Saints Roman Catholic School, a coeducational secondary school in the area.

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