York Whitefriars, the Stonebow
York Carmelite Friary, also known as the Stonebow, was a significant religious establishment in York, England. Founded around 1250 and permanently sited in 1295, it played a role in the medieval religious landscape of the city, attracting pilgrims to its chapel. The friary was surrendered during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538 and has since been built over, with only fragments of its masonry potentially surviving in modern structures.
Key Facts
- ›Established around 1250, with a permanent site secured in 1295.
- ›Located in Stonebow Lane, extending to the River Foss.
- ›Friary church construction began within five years of the permanent site acquisition.
- ›Received a royal license in 1314 for a quay and boat for transporting building materials.
- ›The friary chapel, above the gatehouse, housed a statue of the Virgin Mary that drew pilgrims.
- ›Surrendered in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Chapel With Statue of the Virgin Mary, Quay On the River Foss, Gatehouse
York Carmelite Friary
William De Vescy, Simon Clerkson, Thomas Bardolf, 5th Baron Bardolf, John Kiningham, John Polestead
Dissolution of the Monasteries
About York Whitefriars, the Stonebow
York Whitefriars, the Stonebow, was a friary of the Carmelite Order located in the city of York, England. Its history dates back to approximately 1250, with a significant relocation and establishment on its permanent site in Stonebow Lane occurring in 1295. This new location provided the friars with land extending from Fossgate to the River Foss, facilitating construction and operations.
Early Development and Construction
Following the acquisition of the Stonebow Lane site, the friary underwent substantial development throughout the late 13th and 14th centuries. The friary church was under construction within five years of the move, with a cemetery consecrated in 1304 and the church itself consecrated in 1328. A royal license granted in 1314 allowed for the construction of a quay on the Fishpond of the Foss, enabling the easier transport of building materials by boat. Further extensions and rebuilding, including the church in 1392, continued throughout the 14th century, with the friary eventually extending as far east as Hungate.
Religious and Administrative Context
The friary's location within the parishes of St Crux and St Saviour led to administrative and financial arrangements. From 1301, an annual payment was established for St Saviour's, following complaints from St Mary's convent. Archbishop Melton decreed in 1320 that annual compensation was to be paid to the rector of St Crux. In 1350, the friary faced restrictions on its chapel usage, including the removal of a life-size statue of the Virgin Mary that had attracted many pilgrims.
Dissolution and Later History
The last Prior, Simon Clerkson, supported the Henrician regime. In 1538, the friary was surrendered to Sir George Lawson as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The site was subsequently leased and remained in private hands until 1614. Today, the friary has been completely built over, though some limestone masonry incorporated into modern buildings on the site may be remnants of its walls. Monuments and architectural fragments from the friary are preserved in the collection of the Yorkshire Museum in York. In a modern echo, a public house on the corner of Fossgate and Stonebow was known as the Northern Wall, referencing its location on the former friary grounds. The Carmelite presence returned to York in 1995, serving as chaplains at More House for the University of York.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the York Carmelite Friary established?
The friary was established in about 1250. It moved to its permanent site in Stonebow Lane in 1295.
What was the significance of the chapel at the York Carmelite Friary?
The chapel, situated above the gatehouse, was notable for containing a life-size statue of the Virgin Mary. This statue attracted many pilgrims to the friary.
What happened to the York Carmelite Friary after its surrender?
After being surrendered in 1538, the site was leased and eventually completely built over. Some limestone masonry from the friary may have been incorporated into later buildings on the site.
Are there any physical remains of the York Carmelite Friary today?
While the friary has been completely built over, some architectural fragments and monuments are held by the Yorkshire Museum. It is also thought that limestone masonry in modern buildings on the site may originate from the friary walls.
Did the Carmelites return to York?
Yes, the Carmelites returned to work in York in 1995 when they were invited to be chaplains at More House for the University of York. Responsibility for the Catholic Chaplaincy was later assumed by the Oratorian of the Oratory Church of Saint Wilfrid in 2021.
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