Extract from the project design submitted by Time Team and the Canterbury Archaeological Trust The small settlement of Greyfriars in Canterbury was the first Franciscan establishment in Britain. A group of nine friars arrived in Canterbury via Dover in 1224, two years before the death of St Francis of Assisi. Four moved on to London, but five stayed in Canterbury, initially given hospitality by the priory of the Holy Trinity, and latterly by the Poor Priests' Hospice in what is now Stour Street. The Franciscans were given a plot of land on the small island immediately to the west of the hospice – Binnewith Island – by the master, Alexander of Gloucester. Here they established a small chapel and living quarters. Nothing is known of the exact location of this primary settlement, though we may presume it was a modest affair in keeping with the teachings of St Francis, who apparently took a personal interest in the Canterbury establishment. No archaeological traces of early church or domestic buildings or cemetery (permission for lay burials was given to the Franciscans by Pope Innocent IV in 1250) have been revealed on the island.
		Greyfriars site
		^top The Franciscans stayed on this low-lying, marshy island for some 50 years, during which time they appear to have gained the respect and support of the local people. In 1267, a local alderman, John Digge, purchased land to the west of Binnewith Island, surrounded by a dyke ('thuate'), which he made over for the use of the friars. This was to be the home of the Grey Friars for over 250 years.
		Later acquisitions brought the total extent of the friary property to around 18 acres (nearly 73,000 sq. m). A large church was constructed, with numerous ancillary buildings, together with two bridges across the Stour, one built in 1267, the other further north in 1309. Only one of these buildings now survives, a picturesque structure of unknown function set across the western branch of the Stour. ^top
						Only surviving ancillary building
		There are a few fragments of church fabric still standing, and further elements have been revealed in archaeological test pits. Nevertheless, very little is known about the nature or layout of the friary buildings and practically nothing about its structural history. It is thought the main altar was dedicated to St Francis, with lesser altars to St Clement and Our Lady. The church was consecrated in 1326, 100 years after the death of St Francis. There were probably between 30-40 friars at Canterbury during its heyday, when it was recognised as a centre of study with an extensive library (several volumes of which survive in the British Museum and Bodleian Library). The establishment was formally dissolved in December 1538. ^top Eastbridge hospital Most of the Greyfriars site is owned by the Trustees of Eastbridge hospital. It was built to care for pilgrims to Canterbury in the 12th century and continues to do so today. Get trenched up! 360-degree panoramic views of some of the excavation trenches. ^top