[1][2][3] During the early years of the 13th century, orders of friars or mendicant brothers began to establish themselves in England.

The Dominican priory was founded by a wealthy Newcastle merchant, Sir Peter Scott.

Such was the case with Blackfriars, which was situated in the north west of Newcastle upon Tyne just inside the city walls.

During the Reformation begun by Henry VIII in 1536, the five Newcastle mendicant communities and the nunnery were dissolved and the land was sold to the Corporation and to rich merchants in 1539.

The convent of Blackfriars was sold to the Mayor and burgesses of Newcastle, who then leased it to nine of the town's craft guilds, to be used as their headquarters in 1552.

Ground floor rooms often served as dwellings, either for people employed by the guilds, or for the needy, who lived there free of rent.

At one time there appeared to be a possibility that the Dominicans might return to occupy Blackfriars, but this did not happen.

The buildings now house a range of craft workshops and a restaurant owned by Andy Hook with head chef Chris Wardale.

The Blackfriars (Order of Preachers) returned to Newcastle upon Tyne in the nineteenth century.