(NU 17453483) Friary (remains of). (1)

The Dominican Friary at Bamburgh was founded in 1265 and dissolved in 1539. It was included in the Visitation of York. In 1300 there were ten friars. (2)(14a)

In a survey of c.1715 mention is made of a 'Friary with a church in ruins, length 42 (yards), breadth 7ins.' (3)

The present (1893) remains include fragments of the church and wall of the cloister garth, and are to be seen on the left of the road leading to Belford at a farm still called the Friary farm. The north-west corner of the chancel of the church still exists. The windows and doors of the remains have been filled up. (4)

Extends from NU 17423482 to 17463483. The existing remains of the Friary consist of the north wall of a farm building with a short stretch of ruined wall to the east. In the wall now incorporated into the farm building is a blocked Tudor doorway and two blocked slit windows. The ruined portion of the wall to the east of the building is 0.8m thick at base with a maximum height of approx 5.5m. A thick growth of ivy covers any architectural features that may remain. Running south from this wall and at right angles to it are the remains of another wall. The junction of these walls probably represents the north-west corner of the chancel referred to in (4). There are no traces of the cloister garth referred to in (4), all the other buildings in the area being modern. The remains are in fair condition except for the covering of ivy. (5)

Previous report confirmed. (6)

Condition unchanged. (7)

In 1967 a small excavation took place when the farmer built grain storage bins. About 30 inches below the surface three skeletons were found and the police were called. A note appeared in a local newspaper. Source unknown and no record in Bamburgh Castle.
The farm buildings contain a number of medieval features including windows and doors.
A geophysical survey was conducted in the adjacent field for remains associated with the friary (planning application 90/B/44) at NU 176347. Nothing was found. (8)

The ivy-covered structure may be a flying buttress. (9)

Farmbuildings at Friary Farm, Grade II listed buildings. Includes the ivy-covered fragment of medieval wall. (10)

An archaeological assessment and watching brief was carried out from September 1992 to May 1993 with respect to the conversion of the farmbuildings to residential use. The farmbuildings stand on the site of, and incorporate some fragments of, the medieval Dominican Friary.
Dominican friars had already acquired lands for building at Bamburgh by 1265, when Henry III gave them seven acres of land for the enlargement of their property. After the Friary was dissolved in 1529 the estate was converted into a farm, which today still bears the same name - 'Bamburgh Friars'. By 1571 it was in the hands of Roger Widdrington, but by the 16th century it was part of the Forster estates. In the 18th century the ruins, including the church, were still a prominent feature, but in the 19th century they were largely demolished and replaced by a group of farmbuildings.
The archaeological works associated with the grain silo (authority 8) were carried out in 1969 by Mr Brian Hope-Taylor who was then working at Bamburgh Castle. Three skeletons were excavated and recorded at the north end of the east range, and later reburied in the parish churchyard.
The farmbuildings prior to conversion consisted of ranges enclosing a rectangular yard. The north wall of the north range follows the line of, and incorporates sections of, the north wall of the friary church. The plinth course survives largely below the present ground level, and in the eastern part of the wall the lowest courses visible above ground level are medieval; this wall continues eastwards in the lower courses of the field wall and is clearly 'in situ'. The east and west responds of the former north aisle are visible in the external face of the wall.
In the west range of farmbuildings part of the south wall of the church can be seen in both east and west walls. The ground floor walls of the range may be 'in situ' medieval fabric.
The plan of the friary church has been reconstructed from the recording of the standing fabric and excavated trenches. The nave and choir together measured around 37.3m by 6.5m internally; the exact position of the west end is unclear. A record of the church in 1715 describes it as being 42 yards long by 7 yards wide (34m by 6.3m). The recent investigations show the nave had a north aisle, probably of three bays, 3m wide by 19.5m long. A drawing of c.1786 shows the ruins of the friary church.
The cloister to the south of the church was about 16m square; the exact line of the east side is uncertain. A small area of paving uncovered in trench O, in what was the south west corner of the cloister, is the only evidence of the cloister walks. The outer walls of the cloister may have been of timber as no evidence of stone structures was seen.
The exact line of the east range has not been located. There appears to have been a substantial north-south building attached to the south east corner of the east range, probably pre-dating the assumed south wall of the range. From its position it may be a reredorter or possibly part of an infirmary complex.
A number of features were recorded in the area of the south range, but the original ground plan is difficult to reconstruct because of the multiplicity of builds. The discovery of what is probably the drain of the lavatory proposes this as the site of the frater. The well preserved slab floor in the eastern part of the south range is probably post-medieval.
The west wall of the west range appears to be in part medieval. The archway into the yard may perpetuate the position of a passage or porch providing access to the cloister from an outer court to the west.
The extent and location of buildings outside the main claustral complex remains unknown. Bamburgh Friary is a rarity because it was a rural friary, as was Hulne near Alnwick (NU 11 NE 17), and thus its layout was not constrained by a restricted urban site. It is envisaged that there would have been a substantial precinct wall and gatehouse.
After Dissolution of the Friary the church and monastic buildings may have been converted into a dwelling, possibly after a period of dereliction. Leland refers to a 'fair college a little without Bamburgh, now clene down', which is usually taken to refer to the friary. The Tudor doorway in the north range may have been the principal entrance to the post-Dissolution dwelling.
Of the 60 or so Dominican friaries known in England Bamburgh is one of only about ten for which ground plans are known. This limited investigation has shown the importance of the site and the generally good condition of the below ground remains. Well preserved sub-surface remains also exist to the east and south of the converted farmbuildings. Foundation robbing has occurred, yet there are also walls surviving to three or four courses and are in places only 0.1m beneath the surface. Extensive building footings, paved floors and some stratigraphy, survive beneath the open area to the south of the buildings and to the east. (11)

Summary note. (12)

Geophysical survey in 2004 investigated the field south of the friary site for evidence of the friary precinct. A curved linear anomaly was recorded. (13)