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If you are interested in the history of London, you may have come across the term “austin friar” or “Austin Friars”. But who were these friars and what did they do? In this article, we will explore the origins, history and legacy of the Austin Friars, a religious order that played a significant role in the social, cultural and political life of medieval and Tudor London.

An Austin Friar is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, also known as the Augustinian Friars or the Hermits of Saint Augustine. This is a Catholic religious order that follows the rule of life written by Saint Augustine of Hippo, a fourth-century bishop and theologian. The rule emphasizes community life, prayer, poverty and service to the poor.

The Austin Friars are not monks, but mendicants, meaning that they rely on alms or donations for their livelihood. They also do not stay in one place, but move around to preach, teach and minister to the people. They wear a distinctive black habit with a leather belt and a white cowl.

The Austin Friars first arrived in England in the late 13th century, probably in the 1260s. They established their first house in London on Broad Street, in the north-east of the city, near the modern Bank of England. They acquired the land from two older churches, St Olave Broad Street and St Peter le Poer, which were incorporated into their friary complex.

The friary soon became a prominent and influential institution in London, attracting many patrons and benefactors. It also became a centre of learning and culture, hosting scholars, artists and writers such as Erasmus, Thomas More and John Colet. The friary church was noted for its lofty steeple and its rich decoration, including stained glass windows, paintings and tombs.

The Austin Friars suffered a dramatic fate during the Reformation, when King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church and dissolved the monasteries. One of the most powerful men in England at the time was Thomas Cromwell, Henry’s chief minister and mastermind of the dissolution. Cromwell was also a tenant of the Austin Friars, having rented a large mansion within their precinct since 1532.

In 1538, Cromwell ordered the suppression of the Austin Friars, along with other smaller religious houses. He seized their property and lands for himself, expanding his mansion into one of the largest private residences in London. He also converted part of the friary church into his personal chapel. However, his glory was short-lived, as he was executed for treason in 1540 and his house was confiscated by the king.

After Cromwell’s fall, the friary precinct was sold off to various buyers, who demolished most of the buildings. The nave of the friary church was spared and given to a congregation of Protestant refugees from the Netherlands, who still worship there today as the Dutch Church at Austin Friars. The rest of the church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

The Austin Friars are important for several reasons. They represent a fascinating aspect of London’s religious history, showing how a medieval Catholic order adapted to the changing times and contributed to the city’s intellectual and artistic life. They also witnessed some of the most dramatic events of Tudor history, such as the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell and the Reformation. They left behind some traces of their presence in London’s landscape, such as street names, monuments and buildings.

If you want to learn more about the Austin Friars and their legacy, you can visit their former site in London or read some of the books and articles that have been written about them. You can also search