Leicester Austin Friars

Leicester Austin Friars or St. Katherine’s Priory, Leicester is a former Priory of Augustinian Hermit Friars in Leicester, England.

History
Leicester Austin Priory was founded in 1254 and dedicated to St Katherine of Alexandria. It was enlarged in 1304 by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster.

In 1372 a general chapter of the Order of Austin Hermit Friars was held at the priory. Around the same time (the late 14th-century) the community was home to a Friar Hermit named Thomas Ratcliffe, who was regarded as a renowned preacher.

The priory was surrendered for dissolution in November 1535. The priory does not appear to have been very large. At dissolution it was home to the Prior and three friars, and owned only the land it stood upon and a few small properties within the town. The annual income of the priory was listed as only £1.

The priory was unusual in having two cloisters.