By 1539, change was in the air-along with a good deal of royal tension. That’s when Bishop Richard of Dover arrived, a man with the authority to close religious houses. He shut the friary down, probably with the wave of a stately (and maybe slightly dramatic) hand. But, instead of knocking it down, they turned the buildings into a council chamber and storehouse-because apparently, if you can’t pray in it, you can always store a few barrels! These buildings eventually disappeared, leaving only echoes and stories swirling in the breeze.
So, as you look around, imagine the cobbled paths, the soft voices of the friars, and the secrets hidden beneath your feet. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a Roman coin just lying around-just don’t spend it all in one place!
