90. THE WHITE FRIARS, NORTHALLERTON
The Carmelite friary, situated in the east part
of the town, (fn. 1) was founded in 1356 by the king,
who, with the consent of the Prior and convent
of Durham, on 8 November gave to Walter
Kellaw, provincial prior, (fn. 2) and the friars a croft
called Tentour Croft, with an adjacent meadow,
containing in all 3 a. 1 r., which John Yole, merchant, of Northallerton, had granted to him for
this purpose. (fn. 3) Two days later a writ was issued,
ordering an inquiry to be made as to whether
Thomas Hatfield, Bishop of Durham, lord of the
manor, might grant to the friars 6 acres of land
adjacent to their holding without injury to the
king or others. The jurors made a favourable
return, and declared the land to be worth 4s. a
year. (fn. 4) The royal licence was granted 7 February
1354-5. Edward III, Thomas Hatfield, John
Yole, and Helena his wife, (fn. 5) were henceforth
reckoned the founders, as was also John de
Nevill, lord of Raby, who is said to have built
the church at his own expense (fn. 6) ; in his will,
1386, he left them 100 marks for the reparation
of their houses. (fn. 7) His sister, Margaret, wife first
of William, Lord Ros of Hamlake, and secondly,
of Henry Percy, first Earl of Northumberland,
was buried in the church (1372 ?). (fn. 8) His son,
Ralph de Nevill, first Earl of Westmorland, left
the friars of 'Alverton' in 1424 £40 'to repair
and build the kitchen and other houses.' (fn. 9) Among
other bequests may be noticed a chalice from
William de Newport, rector of Wearmouth,
1366, (fn. 10) 40s. from Walter Skirlaw, Bishop of
Durham, 1401, (fn. 11) 5 marks from Sir Stephen le
Scrope of Bentley, 1405-6, (fn. 12) and one 'towell
de werk' from John Palman alias Coke, 1436. (fn. 13)
James, prior of this house, admitted Thomas
Gayneng and Agnes his wife to participation in
the spiritual benefits of the convent, 1487. (fn. 14)
The house was surrendered 20 December
1538 by William Humphrey, the prior, five
priests, and five novices. (fn. 15) The goods were
bought by Henry Wetherell for £4 15s. 4d.;
out of this 6s. 8d. was given to the prior, and 5s.
or 3s. 4d. to each of the friars. There were
two bells, 15 fother of lead on the roof of the
church, and two chalices weighing 31 oz. (fn. 16) The
land consisted of the site with gardens and
orchard (½ acre), two closes of pasture, all valued at
20s. a year; further, a burgage in Northallerton,
near Sunbek, and a close called Chaple garth, let
to William Hodgeson for 25s. a year. (fn. 17)
The seal represents the Annunciation of the
Virgin in a carved and canopied niche, between
two smaller niches, containing on the left an
angel, on the right a saint, mitred, holding a
crowned head, probably St. Cuthbert, with
St. Oswald's head. Legend:—
S: COMUN . . . VM . ORD . . . RIE . DE . . .
CARMELI (fn. 18)