subject: Take A Stroll Through The Ancient Town Of Blackfriars [print this page] In the 13th century, there was once a town upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear in Newcastle, England that was called Blackfriars. This was an ancient village that was home to a number of friars, also known as monks belonging to an evangelical community who were committed to serving a widespread sector of the regions population by visiting and spending time with people around town.
These friars established themselves in England and began to live in Newcastle where they came to have five friaries within its area. The friars occupied institutions such as the Whitefriars established in 1262, the Blackfriars established in 1239, Austinfriars established in 1290, the Trinitarians in 1360 and the Greyfriars in 1274.
Following the creation of these sanctuaries, the friars took to the streets initially as beggars living off charities and donations provided by associations or individuals in the area. Although these monks lived off peoples charity and travelled to many houses in the region, they took with them a pleasant gift which was the word of goodwill and faith.
However, over the years, the town of the friars was reformed in 1536 and the land was sold to rich merchants who built newer structures as headquarters, demolishing most of the friars homes, meeting areas and dwellings.
In recent years, if a visitor were to approach the lands of the friars they will notice only the ancient buildings and cloisters, which are vast areas of lands consisting of open garths and wide covered pathways. Another demolition that can be seen is the friary church; the outline of this structure is clearly noticeable on the grassy areas that remain.
The ancient old town now transformed into a tourist attraction is an urbanized area for a range of artisan workshops, museums that depict the times of the friars, grass courtyards that contrast with the hustle and bustle of the city that surrounds Blackfriars and restaurants with an ambience of the 13th century.
A traveller looking for a Newcastle upon Tyne hotel in close proximity to the town of Blackfriars will be pleased with offerings at Copthorne Hotel Newcastle providing its guests with a number of fine facilities, services and restaurants. This Newcastle hotel also gives the guest the opportunity to dine in several great restaurants with fine furnishings and even better service.
