The Blackfriars of Shrewsbury

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The Black Friars of Shrewsbury by Paul Marsden, the former Shrewsbury MP. A history of the Dominican friars who arrived in Shrewsbury, England in 1230 and built a church, cloisters, Lady Chapel and series of outbuildings. On the eve of the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403, Prince Henry (later Henry V)stayed at the friary. Following the battle many of the noblemen who died on the battlefield were taken back to the friary and buried in its grounds. One of the Princes of the Tower, Richard of Shrewsbury was born at the friary in 1473. In 1538 on Henry VIII's orders the friary was forced to close and the building destroyed and sold off. Minor excavations were carried out in 1800's, 1970's and 1990's. A bishop's chalice, floor tiles and numerous skeletons have been found. Little remains above ground which is covered by modern apartments.