Greyfriars Tower (Richmond)
Greyfriars Tower is a historic fragment in the romantic old Yorkshire market town of Richmond.
It appears from far away to be a church, but in fact only the tower survives.
It is part of the church of the Grey Friars, a small Franciscan friary which ws founded in 1258, just outside Richmond's town walls.
Friars were different from monks, in that whereas monks would stay inside their monasteries, friars would go out into the community and make a charge for the use of their skills. In particular, being educated, they would be able to read people's letters and compose replies.
The Greyfriars Tower is situated in Friary Gardens, in the angle between Queens Road and Victoria Road.