Three Friaries of Shrewsbury talk to kick start National Tourism Week

The free event will see experts talk about the ‘Three Friaries of Shrewsbury’ before audience members have the chance to quiz them in a questions and answers session.

Shropshire Magazine correspondent Louise Acton will speak about the Augustians, Tom Jenkins, Shropshire Council’s partnership and economic strategies manager, will focus on the Franciscans and Father Jonathan, Dean of Shrewsbury Cathedral, will speak about the Dominicans.

Shrewsbury Tourism chairman Michael Connor says he hopes the free event will pack out The Wightman Theatre in The Square on March 25.

The Augustian, Franciscan and Dominican Orders all settled in Shrewsbury between the town walls and the river banks between 1232 and 1538.

The speakers will explore the problems they encountered, how they raised funds, how they lived, their relationship with the town’s burgesses and other clerical establishments and how the ordered impinged on national affairs.

The Augustinians settled in the area around where the Priory School was built, while the Franciscans made their base on the town side of Grey Friars Bridge, where part of the building still stands and is used today.

The Dominicans settled in the area between Traitor’s Gate, Water Lane and the English Bridge.

“They all received help from the crown, the local council, who often took the initiative to welcome the orders to the town and local wealthy tradesmen, besides receiving the patronage of local nobility and dignitaries,” said Mr Connor.

“Friars were different to the local clergy and monks at the Benedictine Abbey Foregate monastery. They had to beg for their food and alms and had to administer to the poor. However, all three orders had a different outlook and a different purpose in life.

“Their buildings were of considerable size and stature, especially the churches of the Franciscans and the Dominicans, the latter of which was some 48 metres long. However, by the 15th century, friaries were beginning to feel the pinch and the Augustinian monks were constant visitors to the local courts for burglary, fighting and even murder.

“At the dissolution by Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII, the friaries were in a very poor state with few friars, very little possessions and hardly any income.”

The talks begin at 2.30pm. For more information, contact Mr Connor on 01743 355047.