Guildford Blackfriars

In the civil parish of Guildford.
In the historic county of Surrey (Modern Authority of Surrey, 1974 county of Surrey).

A Dominican Friary established in C13 and dissolved in 1538. Henry VIII constructed a hunting lodge within its precincts. Following the dissolution the King converted the friary into a dwelling to use as an occasional royal resort. Excavations in 1973-1978 revealed that the site was subsequently used as a garden. The site was cleared and a house was constructed circa 1630 by Inigo Jones. This was later converted into barracks in 1794 and demolished in 1818. Much of the site is now occupied by Friary Brewery. The excavations had produced quantities of C14 and C15 pottery and recognised the extent of the friary complex. The claustral complex lay to the North of the church. The church was a simple plan of chancel, and nave with South aisle. The East range contained the chapter house and sacristy, the North range the kitchen. The West range, of which only the East wall and some flooring remained, probably contained the guest house and dormitory.

This site has been described as a;
Palace.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain.
Nothing visible remains.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SU99464958

Modern Map from Good for landscape form and features	Modern Map from Good for general location
Air Photo from	1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape number; 250331

• Web site links
  • http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Leisure/Guildford+Museum/GuildfordSites/HistoryNotes/The+Friary.htm
• Books
  • Thurley, Simon, 1993, The Royal Palaces of Tudor England (Yale University Press) p50, 56-7, 79
    Poulton, Rob, Woods, Humphrey et al, 1984, Excavations on the site of the Dominican Friary at Guildford in 1974 and 1978 (Research volumes of the Surrey Archaeological Society No9)
    Colvin, H.M., Ransome, D.R. and Summerson, John, 1982, The history of the King's Works, vol4: 1485-1660 (part 2) (London) p123-4
    Clinch and Montgomerie, 1911, Malden, H.E. (ed), VCH Surrey Vol3 p554
    Malden, H.E., 1905, 'Friaries: Dominican Friars of Guildford' VCH Surrey Vol2 p114-6 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=37822
• Antiquarian (Histories and accounts from late medieval and early modern writers)
  • William Camden, 1607, Britannia [http://www.philological.bham.ac.uk/cambrit/barkseng.html#surrey2]