Leicester Austin Friary

Leicester Austin Friary
Location within Leicestershire
Monastery information
Other names The Augustinian Hermits of Leicester
Order Austin Friars
Established 1254
Disestablished 1538
Dedicated to St Catherine
Diocese Lincoln
People
Important associated figures Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster
Site
Coordinates 52°38′00″N 1°08′40″W / 52.633362°N 1.144428°WCoordinates: 52°38′00″N 1°08′40″W / 52.633362°N 1.144428°W
Visible remains None

Leicester Austin Friary is a former Augustinian Friary in Leicester, England.

History

Leicester Austin Friary was founded in 1254 and dedicated to St Catherine. It was enlarged in 1304 by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster.[1][2]

In 1372 the general chapter of the Order of Austin Friars was held at the friary. It was around the same time (the late 14th-century) that the friary was home to a friary named Thomas Ratcliffe, who was regarded as a renown preacher.[2]

The friary was surrendered from dissolution in November 1538.[1] The friary does not appear to have been very large. At dissolution it was home to the Prior and three friars, and owned only the land it stood upon and a few small properties within the town. The annual income of the priory was listed as only £1.[2]

The friary was unusual in having two cloisters.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 LEICESTER AUSTIN FRIARY, English Heritage: PastScape
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Friaries in Leicester, A History of the County of Leicestershire: Volume 2 (1954), pp. 33-35.
  3. ↑ New understanding of old Leicester University of Leicester