Monument Type(s):

• BUILDING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)

Summary

The last standing fragment of the Augustinian Friary. It has variously been interpreted as a refectory, infirmary, dormitory, or as part of the friary church or part of the prior's lodgings. It was demolished in 1941/2.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA4907 - 1997 Evaluation at corner of Victoria Avenue and St Austin's Friars, Shrewsbury by SCCAS
• ESA4908 - 1996 DBA and buildings assessment of land between Victoria Avenue and Lower Claremont Bank, Shrewsbury by Richard K Morriss & Associates
• ESA3796 - 1995 emergency recording of groundworks in the Augustinian Friary area by SCCAS

Description

Detailed documentary research and a programme of archaeological assessment was carried out of the friary site, as part of a desk-top study undertaken in 1997. This included an evaluation of the likely survival of elements of the friary below-ground, including of the possible refectory, the last standing fragment of the friary buildings. A plan from Morris & Co of 1940, reproduced in the report, shows the layout of this standing remains of the friary prior to their demolition in 1941/2. The location of the building is shown clearly on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map. The author suggests possible alternative interpretations, including the dormitory, part of the prior's lodgings or the infirmary. <3>

Probably the last surviving building of the medieval friary. A tall, tower-like, red sandstone building with a gable to its north (riverside) elevation; its north wall was, according to one illustration, slightly battered, the wall stepped back in a series of chamfered offsets [<3>]. Was drawn by various artists, including David Parkes in 1800-1802, who reported 'there is little remains of the building, and that little has been patched up for a tanhouse', and that the roof was taken off in 1802 [<1>]. It appears in outline on the first edition O.S. plan, and its internal plan and some architectural features were sketched by the Rev. Drinkwater [<2>]; it also appears on Morris & Co's plans of the site that pre-date its demolition by them in May 1941 [<3>]. A newspaper report at that time ( 'Old Shrewsbury Relic Going') [<4>] has a photograph showing a four-bay arcade of two-centred arches at first or second-floor level. At least one of the walls of this building was probably encountered in the 1995 watching-brief in this area (site 60294). The walls were said by J A Morris (who had known the site for at least 30 years) to go down at least 16 feet (c.4.90m) below the contemporary surface [<5>]. Probable late 13th or 14th-century date. Owen (1808) seems to be the first commentator to identify it as the refectory, which it almost certainly was not, given its height and restricted floor area; Owen also said that 'on a late alteration of the premises the ruins of a rich door-way were discovered with the recessed mouldings of the pointed style [<6>]. The height of this building suggests that it is most likely to have been a component of the friary church, possibly ? ?a belfry; it lay on the edge of a steep slope down to the river, so if it was part of the church, the remainder of the latter should lie to the south. <7>

A 1997 evaluation to the north west of the refectory confirmed that the land sloped steeply down to the river at this point, hence the deep walls referred to by Morris [<5>]. It is suggested that the building visible in the 19th and 20th centuries was on top of a much taller and partially buried building. <8>

Two substantial sandstone walls were noted during emergency recording on the site of Morris's Bakery, Victoria Avenue, Welsh Bridge in 1995. They could not be fully recorded but likely represent components the last standing fragment of the friary (PRN 62566). The walls were of purple sandstone and appeared to be aligned E-W. <9><10>

<01> Parkes D, 1800/ 1830, Drawings of Remains of Antiquities in Shrewsbury, f.2-3 (Drawing). SSA10562.

<02> Drinkwater C H, 1907, The Augustinian Friars, Shrewsbury (Article in serial). SSA5604.

<03> Morriss Richard K, 1996, The Welsh Bridge Development, Shrewsbury: an Archaeological Desk-top Study, pp.29-39; figs.12a, 13 (Deskbased survey report). SSA10661.

<04> Anon, 1941-May-16, Old Shrewsbury Relic Going (Article in serial). SSA10658.

<05> Morris J A, 1931/ 1932, Austin Friars and the Town Drainage, p46, p51-57 (Article in serial). SSA10447.

<06> Owen H, 1808, Some Account of the Ancient and Present State of Shrewsbury, p302-303 (Monograph). SSA5372.

<07> Baker Nigel J, UAD Analysis (SMR comment). SSA20432.

<08> Hannaford Hugh R, 1997, An archaeological evaluation at Victoria Avenue, Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury (Excavation report). SSA20921.

<09> Hannaford Hugh R, 1995, Watching Briefs 1995 (notes) (Watching brief report). SSA10448.

<10> Hannaford Hugh R, 2004, Morris's Bakery, Victoria Avenue, Welsh Bridge: site of the Augustinian Friary (Watching brief report). SSA22095.

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.