[Picture: The Grey or Franciscan Friary]
The remnant illustrated by the wood cut comprises probably the refectory,
which was partly re-edificed as late as the reign of Henry the Eighth.
This religious society, sometimes called Friars Minors, settled in this
town early in the thirteenth century. Hawis, wife to Charleton Lord of
Powys (born in 1291), and heir of the ancient Princes of Powys
Gwenwynwyn, was a great benefactress to this friary, if not its second
foundress.
From the quantity of bones which have been found within the precinct of
this convent, it would seem that no unprofitable use was made of the
privilege granted to this order by the Pope of “_liberam sepulturam_.”
This and their reputed sanctity, as well as the popular belief that
whoever was buried in their cemetery or in the habit of a grey friar
would be secure from the attacks of evil spirits and find an easy
entrance into heaven, were circumstances doubtless of such importance as
to induce many persons to desire sepulture among such hallowed men.
The splendid stained glass now in the eastern window of St. Mary’s
chancel is supposed to have originally decorated the church of this
friary, which was the burial place of the Lords of Powys.
On the opposite side of the river is the foundry and the suburb of
Coleham.
Passing under the arch of the English Bridge, to the left are some modern
dwellings on the site of a curious half-timbered mansion erected in the
reign of Elizabeth by William Jones, an alderman and opulent draper of
the town, and father of Thomas Jones, the first mayor of Shrewsbury. A
view and description of this curious building, communicated by the author
of these pages, will be found in vol. 99, part ii. of the Gentleman’s
Magazine.