Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a Carmelite Friar order dedicated to the Christian virtues of FAITH HOPE AND CHARITY in our local Community. We are join to the Old Catholic Apostolic Church world wide together we form a community dedicated to the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The White Carmelite Friars order or the Carmelite Friars (known as White Friars because of the colour of their habits) arrived in Hull around 1293. They live on, of course, in the street name Whitefriargate. We are presently located in Hull we will have orders in communities around the UK and the world.
History of the White Camilite Friars.
Carmelite friary of Hull dates from 1290, and that the chief founders and benefactors were Edward I, Sir Robert Ughtred, and Sir Richard de la Pole, is probably substantially correct. (fn. 1) The earliest mention of the house is contained in a petition of Master Robert of Scarborough, Dean of York, in 1289, for licence to bestow a messuage in Wike-upon-Hull on the Carmelites. (fn. 2) The convent seems to have consisted of thirteen brethren in 1298, when the king gave the friars 13s. for three days' food through Friar Robert de Saunton. (fn. 3) From the royal alms (5s. for one day's food in 1300 by the hand of Friar Geoffrey of Corringham, and 20s. for three days' food in 1301), (fn. 4) it appears that the inmates of the house increased rapidly. It soon became necessary for them to obtain more room both for the friars and for 'the great multitude flocking there to divine service.' Edward I gave them 3 acres in Milncroft outside the walls in 1304, in exchange for their site in the town, and at his request, dated 25 January 1306-7, Clement V authorized them, 23 June 1307, to transfer themselves to the new site by Beverley Gate, and to have the first stone of their new buildings blessed by a bishop. (fn. 5) The archbishop licensed them (17 May 1311) to have their church consecrated. (fn. 6) In 1320 Walter de Scorby and Robert de Barton gave them small plots of land adjacent to their house (fn. 7); and William son of Sir Richard de la Pole, kt., added 1½ acres to their area in 1352. (fn. 8)
Several bequests were made by women to the image of the Virgin in this church. Isabel Wilton in 1486 bequeathed to the Lady at the White Friars a chest bound with iron; Elizabeth Hatfield of Hedon, in 1509, a pair of chaplets of silver with a cross (also a chalice of silver to the church); Diones of Hull, a girdle. (fn. 9) Richard Doughty of Hull, merchant, in 1513 bequeathed to the friars a tenement next St. James's Maison Dieu. (fn. 10) John Fynwell of Hull, 1521, left to the prior his Golden Legend. (fn. 11) Dame Joan Thurescrosse left £4 towards rebuilding the church in 1523. (fn. 12) Sir Thomas Sutton, kt., was buried here. (fn. 13)
Shortly before the Dissolution there were eight friars in the house. (fn. 14) The friary was surrendered by John Wade, the prior, to Richard Ingworth, Bishop of Dover, 10 March 1538-9. (fn. 15) The lands comprised the site with gardens (½ acre) and a close of pasture (1 acre), and three more gardens let to various tenants, at a total rent of 13s 4d. a year. The rents in the town amounted to 20s. a year, and included 12d. from the masters or wardens of the Gild of Mariners for a rent derived from the house called Trinity House, situated on the south of the priory. (fn. 16)
