4 AND 6, FRIAR STREET

Details

WORCESTER

SO8554NW FRIAR STREET
620-1/17/279 (West side)
22/05/54 Nos.4 AND 6

GV II

2 cottages, now 2 shops. Numbered right to left, described
left to right. Probably late C16, re-using earlier materials
and with later additions, alterations and restorations
c1980's. Timber frame with wattle and daub, stucco infill to
front facade and brick nogging to returns, brick and stone
plinth, plain tile roof; tall, square unpainted stucco over
brick central ridge stack, further stack to rear.
PLAN: 2 bays, that to north is larger, probably originally
containing chimney stack and stairs, L-plan, rear range at
left. 2 storeys, 2 bays. The upper storey is jettied on
exposed timbers; small square panels of timber-framing, some
renewed with upper, end curved braces. Ground floor has
entrances to left and right with panelled door at right and
glazed door at left. 2 inserted multi-pane bow windows. First
floor has 2 pairs of casement windows inserted into frames.
Sun fire insurance mark to left.
INTERIOR: retains extensive timber-framing to side and
dividing walls; fireplaces to party wall at front have
bressumer beams, fireplace to rear room has renewed beam.
First floor retains extensive timber-framing with wattle and
daub infill; centre and end jowled posts to front and further
jowled post to rear wall, massive wall plate to front;
diagonal braces; axial beam to centre and queen struts.
partition wall has remains of close studding. C19 grate to
right part at front.
HISTORICAL NOTE: the earliest extant deed for these properties
dates from 1617 when two tenements were sold. Friar Street
originated as a rear access lane for buildings in High Street
until the foundation of the Franciscan Friary in 1235. The
first Friary buildings occupied that stretch between Nos
11-25. The south end of the street was developed first, with
plots dating from the mid C14, plots at the north end date
from the early C15. Many of the existing houses date from the
Reformation, the Friary having been suppressed in 1539 and its
property sold by the Crown to the Corporation of Worcester
which demolished much for building materials. Building
continued from c1540 onwards, modifications were made to
houses during the C17 whilst the C18 saw the replacement of
several older buildings. The street was inhabited mainly by
tradesmen: weavers, clothiers, brewers and innkeepers.
(Hughes P and Molyneux N:
Friar Street: 1984-: 34-35; The Buildings of England: Pevsner
N: Worcestershire: Harmondsworth: 1968-1985: 328; NMR:
Photographs).

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

488787

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Hughes, P, Molyneux, N, Friar Street, (1984), 34-35
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Worcestershire, (1968), 328

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