Scheduled Monuments- Full Report
Summary Description of a Scheduled Monument
Reference Number
GM173
Name
Dominican Friary
Date of Designation
Status
Designated
Location
Unitary Authority
Cardiff
Community
Castle
Easting
317788
Northing
176692
Broad Class
Religious, Ritual and Funerary
Site Type
Friary
Period
Medieval
Description
Summary Description and Reason for Designation
The monument consists of the remains of a friary, probably dating to the medieval period. A friary is a house specifically for men and of chiefly mendicant religious orders.
What remains are the foundations and footings of the church and some claustral buildings exposed by the 3rd Marquis of Bute at the end of the 19th century. These are now presented as a public garden. The friary was founded in 1256 by Richard de Clare, lord of Glamorgan. The building remains are late 13th to early 14th century. The curch had a large nave and narrow chancel and to the north were cloisters with buildings ranged around them laid out to the usual Dominican plan.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval ecclesiastical organisation. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.