ON THE HISTORY AND REMAINS OF THE FRANCISCAN

FRIER Y, READING. IHH WEST WINDOW At the nortli-Avest extremity of the town of Reading, stands what was formerly the honse of the Friers Minors. It Avas a religious foimdation of the order of St. Francis, AAhich was introduced into England in 1224, the eighth year of Henry III.'"', and AAas founded in Reading in 1233. By a deed dated that year** July 14, Adam de Lathbury then abbot, and the convent of Reading granted to the Friers Minors in Reading, " a certain piece of waste ground near the king's highway leading to Caversham bridge, containing thirty-three perches in length, and twenty-three in breadth, with a permission to build and dwell there so long as they should continuewithout acquiring any property of their oAvn:" — •' 1. eland's Collectama, vol. iii. ]). oil- Cotton Library, Vcspa>ian. V. 26.