Greyfriars, Dunwich facts for kids
Greyfriars, Dunwich was once a home for Franciscan friars in the old town of Dunwich, located in the English county of Suffolk. Friars are like monks, but they live among people and help the community. This friary was started before 1277 by a man named Richard FitzJohn and his wife, Alice.
In 1277, there were about 20 friars living here. However, the original site was very close to the sea and was being washed away by coastal erosion. This is when the sea slowly wears away the land. Because of this, the friary had to move further inland in 1289 to a safer spot.
A Glimpse into the Past at Greyfriars
After the friary was closed down in 1538, many of its buildings were likely destroyed. The remaining parts were used for different things over time, like a house, a town hall, and even a jail. Today, you can still see parts of the old precinct wall, which surrounded the area. There are also two gatehouses, which were the entrances. You can also find some two-story walls that might have been part of a cloister building, perhaps a dining hall (refectory) or a place for the sick (infirmary).
Uncovering Secrets: Archaeology at Greyfriars
Archaeologists have explored the Greyfriars site several times. They did some digging in the 1930s and 1990s. They also used special tools for geophysical surveys. These surveys use technology to see what's underground without digging.
In 2011, the TV show Time Team visited the site for a dig. They used ground-penetrating radar, which is a type of geophysical survey. This helped them find many old wall features and other hidden things underground. During their digs, they found carved medieval stonework and pieces of medieval window glass. The surveys suggest that the friary church might have been as long as 60 meters (about 197 feet)!
Protecting and Restoring This Historic Site
Some important work was done in 2008 to help preserve the ruins. This included making some buildings stronger and fixing parts of the precinct wall that had fallen down. Because of its importance, the site was then added to the Heritage at Risk Register. This list helps identify historic places that need special care.
This led to a big restoration project in 2012, costing £250,000. It was a joint effort by English Heritage and Suffolk County Council. In October 2013, a local volunteer group called the Dunwich Greyfriars Trust took over the management of the site. This happened because the county council had budget cuts and could no longer pay for the running costs.
The remains of Greyfriars are very important. They are classified as a Grade II* listed building, which means they are of special historic interest. Most of the site is also a Scheduled monument, giving it legal protection.
