The small friary at Bangor was founded, probably by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, in the mid-thirteenth century.
Its rood screen attracted a number of pilgrims and was considered to be the holiest relic in north Wales. show details of standing remains
Standing remains
The friary's location is traditionally held to have been near the town; a school was built in part of the former friary following its suppression. However, the remains of what was seemingly a religious settlement - with a church and small cloister - were found several hundred metres away, near the shore. These may have belonged to an early Dominican friary or were perhaps part of a friary belonging to another order. Remnants uncovered on this site include thirteenth-century masonry, richly-carved sepulchral slabs and a stone coffin. A number of skeletal remains were also found, amongst them women and children. Read more.
Medieval Diocese: Bangor Lordship at foundation: Gwynedd
Main events in the history of this site
c.1251: Foundation - The friary was founded by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and is first mentioned in 1251. [2 sources] 1284: Compensation - As a consequence of damage suffered during the Edwardian Wars the Dominicans at Bangor received £100 compensation from the king. This was a significant sum for a friary. [1 source] 1291: Grant - Eleanor of Castile gave 100s to Bangor and to each of the other four Dominican houses in Wales. [1 source] c.1299: Reconstruction - The priory was allegedly rebuilt or enlarged at the end of the thirteenth century. [3 sources] 1370: Bequest - The friars of Bangor were the chief beneficiaries of Gervase de Castro, bishop of Bangor, who died in 1370. [1 source] 1538: Bequest - A will of October 1538 left the sum of 6s. 8d to the friars of Bangor. [1 source] 1538: Dissolution - The friary was suppressed in 1538; by this time many of the buildings were ruinous yet the site was still desirable and Edward Griffith, a member of the local gentry, was eager to secure the former friary as a town house. [2 sources] + 5 minor events.Show minor events
