Religious houses: The friars of the sack

FRIARS OF THE SAC.

The Friars of the Sac, or of the Penance of Jesus Christ, received their name from the shape or stuff of their habit. This order was founded by an expelled novice in Provence, when the general council of Lyons was sitting in 1245, and was confirmed by Pope Nicholas IV. They admitted both sexes, though married, and permitted them to retain property. Its members were esteemed ecclesiastical persons; but it is doubtful whether they enjoyed the privileges of clerks or religious. They occur as being settled here in 1268; for in that year, king Henry III. at the desire of Robert Bruce, gave them an additional place, called at that time Stable Garth. (fn. 1) Their house stood in Hanover Square, near the White Friar Tower. Their pittance of two days, on king Edward I.'s arrival in Newcastle, was 2s. In 1307, Walter de Charlton was the only surviving brother of this convent, which king Edward I. granted to the Carmelites of the Wall Knoll, on condition that they should support this brother in a manner suitable to his rank. (fn. 2)