Strade Abbey
Description
Strade Abbey is a former Franciscan/Dominican monastery located in the eastern part of Strade village.
Strade Friary was founded c. 1240 by Jordan de Exeter, or his son Stephen, at the bequest of Jordan's wife Basilia, daughter of Meyler de Bermingham. It was inhabited by the Order of Friars Minor (Observant Franciscan Friars), before being refounded by the Dominican Order in 1252/53. It was burned in 1254.
In 1434 Pope Eugene IV granted an indulgence to all who would give help towards the restoration of Strade Abbey.
Strade Friary was dissolved in 1578 and leased to James Garvey. In 1588 a lease of the abbey was granted to Patrick Barnewall for forty years. In 1756, there were seven friars in Strade Abbey, and four in 1767. Fr. Patrick D. Kelly, the last of the friars of Strade, died c. 1858.
The buildings that remain are of the 13th–15th centuries, including a magnificent tomb in the north part of the chancel.