You’re now standing on Fisherton Street, right where the mysterious Salisbury Black Friary once stood! Go ahead, look around-can you see it? No? Don’t worry-you’re not suddenly in need of spectacles. There’s no trace left above ground! But let’s wind back the centuries and paint a picture together.
Imagine it’s the year 1281. Horses are clopping down muddy tracks, the air is brisk, and there’s a faint smell of bread baking nearby… if you can ignore the occasional medieval whiff of who-knows-what. Here, the Dominican friars-known as the Black Friars for their dark habits-are settling into their new home, gifted to them by none other than King Edward I. Royalty clearly had a soft spot for these gents, handing over land and even building supplies. Not bad for a relocation deal!
The friary must have been busy-a hum of chatter, the gentle chanting of prayers, boot steps echoing off stone floors. Picture whitewashed walls, gardens for simple meals, and perhaps even an occasional royal visitor. All was well… until 1538. Then, the air changed, and with just a few swift signatures, it all dissolved. The King, with his big appetite for property, sent his visitors to claim the friary, and the 14 friars quietly surrendered.
The old buildings were pulled apart, stones carted away, and the land changed hands. By 1545, the friary was gone-at least above ground.
But here’s the real twist: centuries later, in 1978, while builders were renovating nearby, they discovered graves and bits of old walls beneath the modern hustle of the city. Even more were found in 2019, though still, the exact shape and size of the friary is a true city secret-just out of reach. Somewhere, deep beneath your feet, the echoes of those Dominican friars might just be listening in as we speak!
So, keep your eyes and imagination open as you leave the friary’s lost grounds behind. After all, some secrets like to stay hidden just below the surface… on to our next adventure!
