Whitefriars Priory - Coventry, UK - Abbeys, Convents and Monasteries on Waymarking.com

The red sandstone medieval cloister building is now all that remains of the Priory situated just outside the Coventry ring road. The building itself is not open to the public but you can walk around the outside and examine the exposed foundations.

The Carmelites Friars wore white habits hence they were called 'whitefriars' The Franciscan Friars who had been based in Coventry since 1234 wore Grey habits and were therefore known as 'Greyfriars'.

By 1539 the Friary house had been disbanded as part of Henry VIII's systematic destruction of the religious communities of England. The estate was split up and sold off separately. One Sir Ralph Sadler became the owner of the land and possessions of the Friary. he sold the house and lands to John hales on 16th December 1544 for £83.12/-6d (£83.62 and half pence). John Hales was reputed to be a speculator. he owned much property and land in the area including Stoneleigh Grange in an adjoining parish. He converted Whitefriars Friary into a private house called "Hales Place" He made many alterations to the property, shortening the North and South Cloister walks for example. Many were the changes and much money spent. The whole, when finished, was described by no lesser person than Queen Elisabeth I as being "commodius" she herself having stayed there. It is said that she addresses the people of Coventry window from the Oriel window of the house.

John Hales died on 5th January 1572. he was unmarried and without issue so his estate passed to his nephew. John Hales II. The house changed hands a number of times until in 1801 a Mr Smith of Apsley in Befordshire sold the house to the Directors of the poor of the united parishes of Coventry. So it was that Whitefriars became a house for the poor, a workhouse. The building were once more altered to fit the occasion and use for which they were now required. Windows were glazed, floors were replaced, the building created by John Hales were demolished, new wings were added etc. The poor law, repealed in 1948, saw an end to the workhouse. Whitefriars was a workhouse until the end of the second world war. After the war part of the buildings were used as a Salvation Army Hostel.

Full name of the abbey/monastery/convent: Whitefriars Priory Address: London Road Coventry, United Kingdom unknown Religious affiliation: Carmelite Date founded/constructed: 1342 Web Site: [Web Link] Status of Use: Abandoned Ruin

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/03/2014 Superted visited it