FRIARY HOUSE stands on the site of the Southampton Franciscan Friary. Founded in AD 1233, the Friary played an active part in the life of the medieval town. In 1538 it was closed as a result of King Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. It lay derelict until John Brissault built a sugar refinery here in 1740. This was later converted into a warehouse which was destroyed by bombing during World War II. Southampton City Council archaeologists excavated the site in 1986 with the support of British Telecom who also provided this plaque and the mural.