Friar Tucked Traditional Cache
Red Duster: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am permanently archiving it. This action can not be reversed.
Andy
Red Duster
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A Traditional Cache hidden close to a historical site near the centre of Coventry. The cache is not hidden in the grounds of the Priory as it is a scheduled historic monument, please respect the area if you decide to pay a visit whilst you cache (Which we highly recommend!!)
The cache is a well concealed small tupperware style box (0.2L) containing a logbook and a pencil with room for small Travel Bugs and Geocoins.
The site is near the Whitefriars Priory the site of a religious building since the 14th Century. The remains are very interesting but unfortunately the inside is no longer open to the public. If you want to have a look at the building and exposed foundations then use the subway to get to the other side of the Ring Road. Free roadside Parking is available nearby (as are NCP carparks). Also close by is Coventry Toy museum which is located in another part of the ancient Priory, the Gatehouse, and is well worth a look. It gives some idea of the size of the original site which took a large percentage of the land of Coventry which originally belonged to Lady Godiva (and was a gift from her to the Friars).
NOW THE HISTORY BIT!
Friars are not unlike Monks but different in the way that they perform their religious ministering. The Whitefriars of Coventry were a Carmelite group who set up a friary in 1342. The friars wore habits not unlike Monks. The different orders were distinguished by the colour of their habits. The Carmelites 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'. Friary buildings were laid out with church, cloisters and domestic buildings on a similar plan to a monastery. Coventry Whitefriars was founded relatively late - the Carmelites came to England first in 1240 - but grew to become a powerful and famous Carmelite house.
The land on which the building known as Whitefriars was built was gifted to the order by a Leicestershire man, one Sir John Poultney - he later became Lord Mayor of London. In 1344 King Edward II proved more land to extend the Friary. Various donations were given to the Friars and during excavations the coat of arms of the Earl of Derby was found indicating that at some time it is likely that donations had been made by him.
The friary in Coventry was very large. The remains that can be seen now are only but a small part of the original buildings. The grounds extending a long way. Indeed the old Whitefriars gateway still remains in Much Park St. It now holds a toy museum in one part. This gatehouse dates from 1352.The City wall passed close by with New Gate being the nearest gate.
The original church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, would have been one of the first buildings on the site. This original church was notable in that it was very long. Certainly one of the longest in England. The interior of this church would have been bright and colourful. The church, constructed from local red sandstone, was painted white internally. Decorated stone was picked out in bright colours. Today we see these medieval churches as being plan and stone coloured but most, if not all, were decorated. Lincoln cathedral, for example, has small parts of the decoration still remaining. The windows were of stained glass depicting scenes probably biblical in origin. The floors were covered in locally made and highly decorated tiles.
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.
What you will find east of GZ is the Medieval Cloister wing. This alone has survived since 1342. The building is now part of the Herbert Art gallery and Museum.
What is surprising is that though there seems to be a substantial building that has survived the ravages of time the excavations show a set of structures on a very grand scale. West of GZ you will find the Gatehouse to Whitefriars Priory.
(Information taken from www.thecoventrypages.net/section.asp?catid=96 where pictures can also be found)
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