FRIARIES
46. THE CARMELITE FRIARS OF BLAKENEY
At Blakeney alias Sniterley, a house of White
Friars, dedicated to the honour of the Blessed
Virgin, was established in 1296, when John and
Michael Storm and John and Thomas Thobury,
copyhold tenants of Sir William Roos, lord of
the town, gave 13½ acres of land to the Carmelities, with the consent of the king and the
lord. The friars were to build a chapel and
necessary buildings on the site, and to pray for
Sir William Roos and Lady Maud his wife, as
their principal founders. Sir William gave them
100 marks towards building their church and
houses, and promised to build their hall and
kitchen, as well as proper chambers suitable for
him and his heirs whenever they should think
proper to stay there. (fn. 1) The church and all the
offices were not completed until 1321. (fn. 2)
Pardon was granted to the Carmelites of
Blakeney, in 1316, for acquiring in mortmain
without licence, 1½ acres of land from Michael
Bret, with leave to extend their dwellings and
build thereon. (fn. 3)
These friars were evidently prospering, for
there were several other enlargements of their
site. Thus in 1331 licence was granted to the
prior and convent to receive in mortmain from
John Tolour the younger and Richard Storm
4 acres adjoining their house. (fn. 4)
In 1337 John Storm granted to the prior and
Carmelite Friars of Sniterley 4 acres of land for
the enlargement of their house, (fn. 5) and fifteen
years later there was yet another extension. (fn. 6)
This house was suppressed towards the close
of 1538. (fn. 7) In February, 1542, the king granted
the house and site to William Rede, mercer of
London, and Anne his wife; but in the following
month Rede transferred it to Sir Richard
Gresham. (fn. 8)
Among the spoils of church plate from the
suppressed Norfolk houses were '100 oz. gilt
and 54 oz. white, with two paxes of ivory' from
the White Friars of Blakeney. (fn. 9)