The Grey Friars in OxfordLittle, A. G. (Andrew George)
History
The Grey Friars in Oxford
Little, A. G. (Andrew George)
Franciscans -- Great Britain
The subsequent history of the property is obscure, and probably would not
repay an exhaustive investigation. Wood states that the land
‘being shifted through severall hands doth now acknowledg also
severall owners[810].’
Part of it was ‘now inhabited by tanners[811].’ The island or grove on the
south of Trill Mill stream belonged
‘to Sir William Moorton, Kt., Judge of the King’s Bench, in right of
his wife Anne, daughter and heir of John Smyth of Oxford, Gent[812].’
Writing about a century later, Peshall states that the site
‘now forms the messuage or Tenement and large Yard of Charles Collins,
Gent; the Garden, Orchard, and Tenement of Swithin Adee, M.D., late
Sir James Cotter’s, Bart., and the large Garden and Orchard called
Paradise Garden. The Island in their possession ... is occupied by Mr.
Shirley, which serves partly for a Tan Yard and Buildings necessary
thereto[813].’
In a short time little was left of the buildings--so complete was the work
of destruction. ‘The trees were soon cut down, all the greens trod under
foot, the church thrown down, and the stones, with the images and
monuments of the greatest value, scattered about[814].’ The name only
survived; Agas in his map (1578) puts the _Graie Friers_ where the house
of the Black Friars stood. ‘The ruins of this college are gone to ruine,’
wrote Wood, ‘and almost lodged in obscurity[815]:’ and the ‘scanty
fragments’ (_rudera paucula_) which were visible to Hearne and Parkinson
as they walked towards the Watergate[816] have long since vanished. Even
the use to which the materials were put is unknown. Some of the stones
form no doubt the foundation-work of many houses in St. Ebbe’s: but while
something definite is known about the materials of the Houses of the other
Mendicant Orders, the records are silent respecting the greatest of the
friaries[817].
_PART II._
_BIOGRAPHICAL AND BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES._
CHAPTER I.
CUSTODIANS AND WARDENS.
1. W. of Esseby, Warden and Custos, c. 1225.--2. E. de Merc, Warden,
1237.--3. P. of Tewkesbury, Custos, 1236-1248.--4. J. of Stamford,
Custos, 1253.--5. Martin, Warden, c. 1250.--6. Adam of Warminster,
Warden, 1269.--7. J. Codyngton, Warden, 1300.--8. J. of Okehampton,
Warden, 1340.--9. R. Clyff, Custos, 1465.--10. R. Salford, Warden,
1488.--11. W. Vavasour, Warden, c. 1500.--12. R. Burton, Warden (and
Custos), 1508.--13. W. Goodfield, Warden, before 1513.--14. J. Harvey,
Warden, 1513.--15. E. Baskerfield, Warden (and Custos), 1534.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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