Worcester Blackfriars facts for kids

The Worcester Blackfriars was a special kind of religious house in England. It belonged to a group of monks called the Dominican Order. Think of it like a big home and school for these monks, also known as friars. It was started a long, long time ago in 1347 by a person named William Beauchamp, Lord of Elmley.

What Was Worcester Blackfriars?

The Worcester Blackfriars was a monastery in Worcester, England. A monastery is a place where people, often called monks or friars, live together under religious rules. The friars who lived here were part of the Dominican Order. They were sometimes called "Blackfriars" because of the black cloaks they wore over their white habits.

A Place for Learning

This friary wasn't just a home; it also had a special school. This was a "school of divinity," which means it was a place where friars studied religion and theology. It was an important center for learning during its time.

Important Families and the Friary

The Beauchamp family, who helped start the friary, continued to be connected to it for many years. For example, Sir John Beauchamp, a very important knight, was buried there in 1475. His wife, Margaret, was also buried there in 1487. This shows how important the friary was to noble families of the time.

The End of the Friary

Like many monasteries in England, the Worcester Blackfriars was closed down in 1538. This happened during a time known as the "Dissolution of the Monasteries."

What's There Now?

After the friary closed, its buildings eventually disappeared. In the 1960s, a shopping center called Blackfriars was built on the same spot in Worcester. Later, that shopping center was taken down. A new, bigger shopping center called Crowngate opened there in 1992.

Discovering the Past

Even though the old buildings are gone, we know a lot about the friary because of special digs. In 1985 and 1986, archaeologists carefully dug up parts of the site. They found the remains of the friary's cloisters (covered walkways) and its church. These old structures were even lined up with an ancient Roman road! Many small items found during these digs were later sorted and cared for by volunteers in 2010, helping us learn more about life at the friary.

Important People Buried Here

• John Beauchamp, 1st Baron Beauchamp (fifth creation) and his wife Margaret de Ferrers