This is the only building left of the Greyfriars Franciscan friary. According to Doel & Doel (2018, 24) it was originally established by five friars who arrived in Canterbury in September 1224 and were given land on an island in the Stour by the master of the Poor Priests' Hospital.
I suppose that the Franciscan Garden, now owned by Eastbridge Hospital, is part of that original foundation.
By 1498 the friary had 18 acres and 35 friars.
The purpose of the building is unclear: "a hospitium, infirmary or warden's residence".
The shape of the arches suggest a construction date of no earlier than the twelfth century when the form became popular in European Gothic architecture.
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