Whitefriars, Bristol facts for kids

Whitefriars was a historic Carmelite friary located on the lower slopes of St Michael's Hill in Bristol, England. A friary is a type of religious house where friars, who are like monks, live and work. This particular friary was started in 1267. Over the years, a church was built there, and large gardens were created. The friary was closed down in 1538 during a time known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

After the friary closed, much of the land was used by Sir John Young to build a large house. This house later became a boys' school started by Edward Colston in the 1700s. The Red Lodge, which is still a museum today, was originally a smaller building connected to the friary. The Colston Hall, a place for concerts, was built on part of the friary's land in the 1800s. Today, a modern office building nearby is also called Whitefriars, keeping the old name alive.

The History of Whitefriars Friary

Whitefriars was founded in 1267 by the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward I. The friars who lived here were called Carmelites. They were also known as Friars of the Blessed Virgin. They wore white robes, which is why their home was called Whitefriars.

What the Friary Looked Like

In the 1400s, a writer named William of Worcester described the friary's church. He said it was about 45 yards (41 m) long and 25 yards (23 m) wide. It also had a tall tower, about 200 feet (61 m) high.

Later, in the early 1500s, another writer, John Leyland, visited the friary. He wrote that it stood by the quay, which is a place where boats dock. He thought it was "the fairest friary in England." The friary also had a large area of land that went up St Michael's Hill. The Carmelites used this land for gardening. They grew produce to sell, which helped them earn money.

The Friary's Closure

In 1538, the friary was inspected by a commissioner named Richard Yngworth. He was reporting to Thomas Cromwell, who was a powerful advisor to the king. Yngworth wrote that the friary's belongings barely covered its debts. He mentioned a chapel with a lead roof and lovely gardens. He also described a "goodly howse in byldenge," which was a nice building under construction.

The friary also had a special pipe that brought fresh water from Brandon Hill. This water supply was later used by St John's Church. Finally, the four remaining friars gave up their possessions to the commissioner. This happened in front of the Mayor of Bristol.

What Happened After the Friary Closed?

After Whitefriars Friary closed, some parts of it remained. For example, some old monastic cells are thought to be underneath the Red Lodge. The Red Lodge itself started as a viewing house for the friary's leader.

The Great House and Its Owners

The Red Lodge later became part of a large Elizabethan mansion. This mansion was called the Great House. It was built in the late 1500s by John Young. He had bought the friary's land from Bristol Corporation after the friary was closed.

A famous visitor to the Great House was Queen Elizabeth I. She stayed there as a guest of John Young in 1574. In the 1700s, the Great House was bought by Edward Colston. He was a well-known Bristol merchant. Colston used the house to start the first Colston's School.

From School to Concert Hall

Colston's School moved to Stapleton in 1857. After the school left, the Colston Hall Society bought the property. They tore down the Great House to build the Colston Hall. This building is now a well-known concert venue.

In the early 1900s, during construction nearby, workers found old medieval walls. They also found burials and floor tiles. These discoveries showed where the old friary once stood.

Whitefriars Today

After World War II, the center of Bristol was rebuilt. A large office building was named Whitefriars. It is located in Lewin's Mead, not far from the original friary site. This building is next to another office complex called Greyfriars. The modern Whitefriars building has thirteen floors. It stands about 49 metres (161 ft) tall. It was finished in 1976.