Greyfriars, Winchelsea facts for kids
Greyfriars is a special country estate located in Winchelsea, East Sussex, England. It's a unique place because it has the old, ruined parts of a medieval monastery and church, right next to a house built in the 1800s.
Contents
A Look Back at Greyfriars
The Friars' First Home
Long ago, in the year 1242, a group of monks called the Order of Friars Minor (also known as Franciscans) set up a home in the old part of Winchelsea. These friars were like traveling monks who lived simply and helped people.
Moving to a New Spot
Later, in 1285, the friars moved their monastery, or "friary," to where Greyfriars is today. They bought a big piece of land, about 28 acres, in the area where the new town of Winchelsea was being built.
A Busy Medieval Hub
The friary became a very important place. Winchelsea was a busy port city during the Middle Ages, and the friary was a big part of its life. However, after the mid-1300s, the friary wasn't used as much.
Changes Over Time
In 1538, during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries, many monasteries in England were closed down. Greyfriars was sold because it was already in bad shape. For many years after that, parts of it were even used as a barn!
What's Left Today
Today, you can still see parts of the old friary. The tall choir section, where the monks used to sing, is still standing. There are also parts of the north and south walls. Around the 1600s, a new doorway was added to the north wall. The chancel, which is the part of the church built around 1310–1320, has also partly survived. In 1915, Greyfriars was recognized as a special historical site, called a scheduled monument. It's one of the best examples of Franciscan buildings left in England.
The Greyfriars House
Building the New House
The country house at Greyfriars was built much later, in 1819. A man named Richard Stileman designed it in a Gothic style. This means it has features like pointed arches and tall windows, similar to old castles or cathedrals. The new house replaced an older building that was on the same spot.
Location and Ownership
The house is located on the southern edge of Winchelsea, right next to the old friary ruins. For a while, in the late 1900s, East Sussex County Council owned the house and used it as a day care center. But in 2000, it was sold to private owners. In 2015, the house was put up for sale for £4.5 million. The house itself is also a protected building, given a Grade II listing in 1987.
