Greyfriars, Coventry

Greyfriars, Coventry was a medieval monastic house in the West Midlands, England.HistoryThe first mention of the Franciscans or Greyfriars in Coventry is in the Pipe Rolls of 1234, which show Henry III allowing them timber to use for their oratory or church. From later documents it is evident that Ranulf de Blondeville, Earl of Chester, permitted them to erect their house on his manor of Cheylesmore, on the south-west side of the city.In August 1289, Roger de Montalt granted the Franciscan friars of Coventry a site for the enlargement of their area. He also obtained a licence, contrary to the wishes of the monks of Coventry, to close the way leading from Kenilworth to Coventry, but this was on condition he made another way on the adjacent land also granted to them by Roger.In 1359, Richard II granted the Grey Friars as much stone from the quarry in the Black Prince's park at Cheylesmore as they needed for their house. He also granted free access for their workmen for the quarried stone. A grant was also given for the right to dig earth for the walls and plaster, and for a postern gate, or secret gate into Cheylesmore park for the recreation of the friars. They were not, however, to pass beyond the quarry. The key to the gate was to be kept by the warden, and it was only to be used by those who were sick.