Hazells Histories – Friars Lane

On a 1433 map of Bury St Edmunds, this narrow lane is called Le Fryeres Lane and on Warren’s map of 1747, Fryers Lane.  Both associated with the Franciscan friars that settled here in 1238, much to the chagrin of the then abbot of St Edmundsbury Abbey, Richard de Insula.  

Also known as Mendicant Friars, they were members of a 13th-century Christian religious order who took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, relying on alms (begging) for survival rather than owning property. After twice being removed as possible rivals to Bury’s Benedictine Abbey, the friars finally settled at the Babwell Fen (todays Priory Hotel) with the help of Gilbert De Clare in 1265, who ignominiously had led a massacre of Jews in Canterbury in 1264.

Friars Lane is now a valuable shortcut over the river Linnet, that leads via footpaths along water courses over York Bridge, to the southern part of town.

Never a built-up area, nevertheless there are two interesting properties here Kennel Cottage one of them. Once two cottages supposedly from 1760, the grade two listing identified them as a pair; ‘a rarity in Bury St Edmunds’. However, the property that is one of the most unusual in Bury is just over the way, The Crystal Palace. It is built on ‘stilts’ at the time an ultra-modern design by Michael (later Sir) and Patty Hopkins from 1978. Originally built around a large courtyard, this has now been glazed over during a recent refurbishment and re-arrangements of internal rooms, as the walls are demountable. The new layout known, as Project Orange, celebrates the sense of space and the views by placing the bedrooms, bathrooms and utility along the north elevation.

There is a new open plan kitchen, and the living areas are south facing to catch the sun. A large bookcase creates a long library wall. Everything about it is minimalistic, steel and glass. It is a low energy concept taking advantage of maximum solar gain achieved by the large, glazed areas; ahead of its time.

With pressure being put on vehicles for dropping off and picking up children attending the St Edmund Catholic Primary School in nearby Westgate Street, the lane is becoming a bottleneck at times.

Hazells Histories are kindly provided by renowned local historian, Martyn Taylor.