FRIARIES
11. THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS OF HARTLEPOOL
In a letter written by Master Layton, one of
the visitors of the northern abbeys before the dissolution, (fn. 1) it is stated that the 'Friarage of Hartlepool was founded by the same Robert de Brus' [sc.
founder of Gisburn]. (fn. 2) This is manifestly impossible, because the Brus who founded Gisburn
died long before the birth of St. Francis; but the
house at Hartlepool may have owed its origin to
another Brus, possibly to Robert, the sixth of that
name. (fn. 3) In an order of 10 February, 1344-5,
relating to a rent claimed by the friars, it is stated
that they had the said rent 'of the grant of one
Robert de Brus, of whom there is no memory,' (fn. 4)
and this may possibly be the founder.
The first mention of the house occurs in 1240,
when Henry III granted to each of the friars
(out of the issues of the bishopric of Durham,
then vacant) 'a tunic, namely, four ells to make a
tunic, of the price of twelve pence, of our gift.' (fn. 5)
In an Assize Roll of 1243 we read of a
robber fleeing for sanctuary to the church of the
Friars Minor of Hartlepool, and there abjuring
the kingdom. (fn. 6)
At a general chapter of the order held at
Narbonne in 1258, a list of the Franciscan
establishments in England was drawn up. The
country was divided into seven custodies: the
custody of Newcastle contained nine friaries, and
of these Hartlepool was one. (fn. 7) A year later
Martin of St. Cross, master of Sherburn, left half
a mark to the Friars Minors at Hartlepool. (fn. 8)
Very little is known about the establishment.
At the dissolution it consisted of a warden and
eighteen brothers, who appear to have been strict
followers of St. Francis so far as poverty was
concerned. (fn. 9) In 1335 they had a chapel with
two bells, (fn. 10) in which was held an ordination
service (first tonsure only). (fn. 11) In 1358 the king
granted a licence to John, son of Elias of Brancepeth, to bestow upon the warden and brethren
three acres of land adjoining their house for the
enlargement thereof; and at the same time
Roger de Clifford granted them an annual rent
of 5s. 8d. in Hartlepool. (fn. 12)
Besides these somewhat unusual grants—for
Friars Minors were not supposed to hold lands or
rents—we find occasional small bequests of
money left to the brethren; e.g. ten marks by
Walter de Merton in 1275; (fn. 13) a small legacy by
William de Menneville in 1371-2 (fn. 14) ; five marks
by John Oggill in 1372. (fn. 15) The last-mentioned
benefactor desired to be buried in the friars'
cemetery, as did John Trollop of Thornley in
1476. (fn. 16) In Trollop's will the names of two of
the friars occur: John Fery and William Durham.
Amongst other small legacies of the fifteenth
century are '1 quarterium frumenti,' (fn. 17) and 'one
towel.' (fn. 18)
In February, 1344-5, the friars appealed to
the king that they might be allowed to have
yearly the sum of £5 4s. of the issues of the town
oven, granted to them by the forgotten Brus.
This rent had been taken into the king's hands
with the other possessions of the late Robert de
Clifford, during the minority of the heir; but
the friars' claim was proved to be good, and their
request granted. (fn. 19)
In 1479 William, warden of the house, granted
a letter of spiritual confraternity to Sir Robert
and Lady Anne Claxton; on the back is the usual
form of absolution. (fn. 20)
The friary was dissolved in 1547, when the
clear value of its possessions, over and above
annual reprises, was given as £4 5s. 8d. and the
clear money remaining after paying the brothers'
pensions was 4s. 8d. The house was granted to
John D'Oyley and John Scudamore. (fn. 21)
Wardens of Hartlepool Friary
William, occurs 5 July, 1479 (fn. 22)
Thomas Trewhit, occurs 4 June, 1507 (fn. 23)
Richard Threlkeld, last warden, occurs 1547 (fn. 24)
The seal of the house had for inscription:
S : GARDIANI . FRATRUM . MINORUM . DE .
HERT (fn. 25)
12. THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS OF DURHAM
In the thirteenth century there was for a
short time a Franciscan Friary at Durham. In
November, 1239, the king directed the custodian of the bishopric to make a grant to the
friars of food and clothing. (fn. 26)