The Bayle Gate, Bridlington.
Formerly one of the gateways to the Priory grounds.
Quite distinct from monks and canons were the Friars. Monks were concerned with one thing only—the salvation of their own souls. Hence their monasteries were, as a rule, built in desolate spots, far removed from the centres of population. The churches of the canons were, in most cases, partly used as parish churches, the prior of the convent being also the rector of the parish. Friars were concerned with the salvation of the souls and bodies of other people, hence they established themselves in populous towns.[towns.] Fratres, or frères, they were to all poor people, whether they were Dominican Friars, Franciscan Friars, Carmelite Friars, or Austin Friars.
A White Friar in his Study.
(From Abbot Gasquet’s ‘English Monastic Life.’)
The followers of St. Dominic were the teachers, the followers of St. Francis the doctors, of the middle ages. Black Friars and Grey Friars they were in the language of the common people. Beverley had its Dominican and Franciscan Friaries, while Kingston-upon-Hull had its Carmelite and Austin Friaries—the names of the two latter remaining to-day in our ‘Whitefriargate’ and ‘Blackfriargate.’
It is difficult for us to realise what enthusiasm there was in the olden days for that which was called ‘the religious life.’ ‘It is good for us to be here, for here a man lives more purely, falls more rarely, rests more safely, and dies more happily’ was the honest thought of each of the religious in early days.
But as with all other human institutions, these good ideals perished in the course of time. Men did not continue to live up to the rules of their Order. Even in Chaucer’s time—that is, before the year 1400—the typical monk had travelled far away from his vows of poverty and obedience.
Full many a dainty horse had he in stable.
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