On Sunday 22nd June 1958, The Worshipful Mayor of Richmond, with the Minister Provincial of the Franciscans, Fr Justin McLoughlin OFM, led the procession of many guests from the Catholic Church in Richmond to the town’s Franciscan Friary ruins to commemorate the 700th Anniversary of the arrival of the Franciscans in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Why they did so was maybe because of William of Esseby. Local historians would be delighted if this William came from nearby Easby. Certainly, William went to Assisi, is buried close to St Francis and was one of the three Englishmen who brought the Franciscan way of life to England in 1224. Why the Franciscans came to Richmond is not known. It can only be a guess that William was of Easby and had local connections.

It is now 750 years since the arrival of the Franciscans in Richmond and from Easter 2008 through to the Feast Day of St Francis on 4th October, celebrations are being considered now. The main considerations are both religious activity and historical interest, and the hope that Franciscans of all communions will be able to take part in some way.

At this stage, whilst some preparations are under consideration, suggestions, information, contacts with Franciscans and any history of Franciscans in North Yorkshire would be very welcome. Of this latter, maybe strange to relate, out of a collection of books obtained recently, the second book found was a history of the Franciscans by Dr Moorman, a former Anglican Bishop of Ripon. Out of back number, again obtained recently, of a Padre Pio magazine, came the information that he had visited a patient at a Nursing Home in Guisborough last year. Franciscans still in North Yorkshire? One of the intentions of the 750th is that somehow, Franciscan spirituality will continue in North Yorkshire after the celebrations of 2008.

Tony Pelton
Joiners Cottage, High Green
Catterick, North Yorkshire, DL10 7LN
Tel: (01748) 818703