South Range And Adjoining South End Of West Range, Blackfriars

This is part of the medieval Dominican friary, Blackfriars, comprising the south range and the adjoining south end of the west range of the former claustral buildings. The structure dates to the mid-13th century, and was remodelled between 1540 and 1545 when it was converted into a cloth manufactory for Sir Thomas Bell. Subsequent alterations occurred for various domestic, manufacturing and commercial uses, with a late 20th-century conservation programme undertaken by English Heritage. The building is constructed of stone rubble with dressed stone features and tile roofs.

The south range runs along the south side of the former friary cloister, connecting to the south end of the west range. The remains of the central portion of the west range appear as part of a terrace of houses on Ladybellegate Street. Originally, the south range housed a farmery at the east end and a buttery at the west end, with a long dormitory or library above. The west range originally contained the refectory.

The north side of the ground floor of the south range features the remains of a 13th-century lavabo within a recessed, arcaded space, alongside an arched doorway. A series of small, rectangular windows are located on the first floor of the north side, repeated on the south side where a larger doorway exhibits weathered, moulded jambs and an arched head. The interior of the south range displays a central row of timber posts supporting bridging beams on the ground floor, while above, remnants of carrels are visible along the north and south walls; these were originally divided by thin screen walls with segmental, moulded arched heads. The roof retains remarkable features of its 13th-century origin, including close-set timber trusses.

The south gable-end of the west range shows a stepped triplet of lancet windows with moulded jambs and heads. The west wall contains the remains of closely spaced lancet windows with similar mouldings. Internally, the triplet of lancets in the south gable-end is framed by an arcade of slender shafts with moulded capitals and bases, all under a wide relieving arch. The site is now part of an Ancient Monument managed by English Heritage, which also includes Blackfriars Church and adjoining remains.