Greyfriars, Leicester
Greyfriars site superimposed on a modern map of the area. Richard III's burial site is shown by a small dot. | |
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Leicester Franciscan Friary |
| Order | Order of Friars Minor |
| Established | Before 1230 |
| Disestablished | November 10th, 1538 |
| Dedicated to | Saint Mary Magdalene or Saint Francis of Assisi |
| Diocese | Lincoln |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Unclear Traditionally credited but unlikely: Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester Suggested either: Gilbert and Ellen Luenor, or John Pickering |
| Site | |
| Location | Leicester |
| Coordinates | 52°38′02″N 1°08′11″W / 52.634007°N 1.136431°W |
| Grid reference | SK58650434 |
| Visible remains | None |
371yds
Greyfriars, Leicester, was a friary of the Order of Friars Minor, commonly known as the Franciscans, established on the west side of Leicester by 1250, and dissolved in 1538. Following dissolution the friary was demolished and the site levelled, subdivided, and developed over the following centuries. The locality has retained the name Greyfriars particularly in the streets named "Grey Friars", and the older "Friar Lane".
The friary is best known as the burial place of King Richard III who was hastily buried in the friary church following his death at the Battle of Bosworth. An archaeological dig in 2012–13 successfully identified the site of the Greyfriars church and the location of Richard's burial. The grave site was incorporated into the King Richard III Visitor Centre which opened in 2014. In December 2017, Historic England scheduled the site.