WHEN Bishop Richard Poore invited the Franciscan Friars to come to Salisbury it was already a bustling city.

It would have been filled with the sound of wagons bringing timber and stone for the new cathedral.

The friars obtained gifts of timber for their simple house in that part of St Ann Street which is still known as the Friary.

The smell of the nearby tanneries would have been of small account to the Grey Friars. Renouncing personal possessions they tramped the muddy streets preaching and caring for the sick.

From Clarendon Palace King Henry III sent gifts of fuel, clothing and money.

By the early 14th century there were about 44 Franciscan Friars in the St Ann Street house.

Relations were harmonious between friars and the city and in 1393 the Provincial Chapter met in Salisbury. King Richard, his Queen, the Bishop and 100 visiting friars sat down to a feast for which the bill was £80.3s.8d.

Comfort no doubt increased in the 15th century with the building of three chimneys but numbers were falling and when the axe fell at the Reformation the friars were given leave to become secular clergy.

In 1600 William Windover bought the site and today what scant remains we have of the Friars’ House are probably to be found behind the prim sash-windows of Windover House.

Interestingly, The Priory, which is situated a short distance away at 95 Brown Street, was said to be the dwelling of the Chief Franciscan Friar.

This was during the latter days of the occupation of The Friary by the grey friars.

It was said that an underground passage was discovered in the cellar and bricked up many years ago by a Mr DJK MacDonald – the passage apparently led to the chapel of The Grey Friars.

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