NHER 4306 (Monument record) - Site of Carmelite Friary

Site of Carmelite Friary
In 1276 the Carmelites asked for permission to occupy and build a church on a vacant plot and Edward I was considered the founder. The priory, dedicated to St Mary, was enlarged in 1378. (S1) The friary burnt down in 1509 but presumably rebuilt, as it was not dissolved until 1538. (S2)
Ordnance Survey maps incorrectly mark this site as the site of St Francis' Priory, but this was situated at the other end of the town, see NHER 4297. (S2)
The site is now occupied by 16th century or later houses, one of which has a cut-down lookout tower, and crossed by Rows. (S3)
Information from Ordnance Survey Record Card (S1), HER Record Notes (S2), and HER Recording Form (S3).
See photographs for further details (S4-8).
Amended A. Henderson (HES), 10 April 2025.

1850. Stray Find.
Palmer's Perlustrations records the finding of a skeleton on the corner of Row 37 and George Street, as well as stone mullions, mouldings, and "carvings of an ecclesiastical nature" (S9).
Information from HER Record Notes (S2) and publication (S9).
Amended A. Henderson (HES), 10 April 2025.

1957. Stray Find.
An unknown number of human skeletons were found in the burial ground of "White Friars Priory" (S10). These were examined by C. Green and notes stored with Norwich Castle Museum (S2).
Information from CBA Bulletin (S10) and HER Record Notes (S2).
Amended A. Henderson (HES), 10 April 2025.

1964. Field Observation.
Whilst digging foundations for a new block of flats on the east side of North Quay, C.G. Rye reported uncovered possible remains of friary.
Foundations of mortared flints 3ft thick laid on shingle were exposed at 3'6" below ground level. On top of these foundations were the remains of a wall standing 2ft high, which appeared to be part of the gable end of a large building. An area 24 ft. by 28 ft. of this building was exposed including the remains of a dividing wall with a corridor on the south side, most of this has now been demolished.
Pottery found in association with this area mainly dated to the 16th-18th century. However on some lower levels there were some bases of 13th-14th century grey-ware cooking-pots.
See HER Record Notes (S2) and article in serial (S11) for further details.
Amended A. Henderson (HES), 10 April 2025.

1982. Photographic Survey.
Photographic Survey undertaken by E. Rose during the demolition of a ruined shop.
See photographs for further details (S4-S8).
A. Henderson (HES), 10 April 2025.

26 August 1982. Survey of demolition of shop, formerly no.6, Row 50.
During demolition of a ruined shop, structural remains were uncovered and part preserved. It is possible the remains were part of the Carmelite Friary or alternatively a Tudor merchant's house store room.
The brickwork appeared to be late 15th or early 16th century. The stonework may be 16th century and a window and beam are certainly mid 16th century. The remains were part of a large building with blank arches in the walls, possibly a ground floor undercroft or store room.
Information from HER Record Notes (S2).
See also newspaper articles (S12-S13) for further details.
E. Rose (NAU), 01 Sep 1982. Amended A. Henderson (HES), 10 April 2025.

08 June 1994. Excavation.
Excavation undertaken by E. Rose.
Amended A. Henderson (HES), 10 April 2025.

1996. Building Survey and Watching Brief.
Medieval wall fragment identified during survey of 51 North Quay. It was not possible to say whether this was associated with the Carmelite Friary.
See (S14) and NHER 42985 for further details.
E. Rose (NLA) 9 June 1994. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 17 February 2014.

May 2000. Field Observation.
Field observation by E. Rose.
Amended A. Henderson (HES), 10 April 2025.

April 2008 to February 2009. Watching Brief. Recorded under NHER 51512.
Evidence for the development of this area from the medieval period to the early 20th century was recorded during monitoring of groundworks to the rear of Nos 55-57 North Quay. All excavations were small-scale and isolated, making dating and interpretation difficult, but five phases of activity were identified.
The earliest activity relates to the Carmelite Friary which was founded in 1276 and dissolved in 1538 (see NHER 4306). Recorded features included existing wall fragments and demolition debris from the destruction of the Friary buildings in the late medieval period. Evidence for early post medieval (c. 1590 to c. 1750) and late post medieval (c. 1750 to c. 1900) walls and surfaces immediately adjacent to Nos 55-57 North Quay were also recorded, documenting changes to the exterior space surrounding these buildings.
See report (S15) and NHER 51512 for further information.
H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2013. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 24 August 2025.