Blackfriars Gloucester

Blackfriars in Gloucester, England, is one of the most complete surviving Dominican friaries in the country. Founded around 1239 under the patronage of Henry III, it originally housed 30-40 friars and included a church, cloisters, dormitory, and scriptorium. The site was acquired by Thomas Bell in 1539 for £240 after the dissolution of the monasteries. Bell converted the church into his residence, known as "Bell Place," and transformed other buildings into a cap factory. By 1545, the church had been significantly altered, with shortened nave and chancel, added upper floors, and new windows.

In 1555, John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester, was executed for his beliefs, and his widow, Anne Hooper, and daughter Rachel died of plague in Frankfurt. The property remained in Bell's family until around 1700. By the 18th century, parts of the cloister were converted into dwellings, and a section of the west range was heightened to create three houses. In the 1930s, Bell Place was divided into two homes, and restoration work on the former church was completed in 1984, opening it to the public.

Today, Blackfriars is owned by English Heritage and leased to Gloucester City Council for events like weddings, concerts, and exhibitions. It features the oldest surviving purpose-built library in England and a notable scissor-braced dormitory roof. The site is the most complete Dominican priory in Britain, preserving much of its medieval architecture despite historical alterations.