Leicester Austin Friary

Leicester Austin Friary is a former Augustinian Friary in Leicester, England.

Leicester Austin Friary

Location within Leicestershire
Monastery information
Other names	The Augustinian Hermits of Leicester
Order	Austin Friars
Established	1254
Disestablished	1538
Dedicated to	St Catherine
Diocese	Lincoln
People
Important associated figures	Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster
Site
Coordinates	52.633362°N 1.144428°W / 52.633362; -1.144428
Visible remains	None

History

Leicester Austin Friary was founded in 1254 and dedicated to St Catherine. It was enlarged in 1304 by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster.[1][2]

In 1372 the general chapter of the Order of Austin Friars was held at the friary. It was around the same time (the late 14th-century) that the friary was home to a friary named Thomas Ratcliffe, who was regarded as a renowned preacher.[2]

The friary was surrendered for dissolution in November 1538.[1] The friary does not appear to have been very large. At dissolution it was home to the Prior and three friars, and owned only the land it stood upon and a few small properties within the town. The annual income of the priory was listed as only £1.[2]

The friary was unusual in having two cloisters.[3]

References

1. LEICESTER AUSTIN FRIARY, English Heritage: PastScape
2. Friaries in Leicester, A History of the County of Leicestershire: Volume 2 (1954), pp. 33-35.
3. New understanding of old Leicester University of Leicester