The Friars Preachers or Blackfriars arrived in Hereford sometime before 1246 after having been founded in 1215 and establishing an English province in 1221. Multiple parcels of land were granted to the Blackfriars by John Daniel, Bishop Orleton and
Edward II.
Edward III was reported to be present at the dedication of the church. The priory, located in the parish of St. John, Hereford, was established in 1322 when a chapel and monastic buildings were built. A stone preaching cross and cemetery were added later. The priory was demolished in 1538 during the
Dissolution of the Monasteries. What remained after 1538 were the buildings in the monastery's west range and the fourteenth century Preaching Cross. The monastic land was purchased by John Scudamore (died 1571), and later acquired by
Thomas Coningsby. Coningsby combined some of the remaining buildings with the nearby buildings of the
Order of St John to create the
Coningsby Hospital. The site was excavated in 1958, and the findings established the location of the cloister walls and the nave of the church. It also established that the priory consisted of a gatehouse, a variety of domestic buildings and separate apartments, adjacent to gardens and orchards. The cemetery is located to the west of the priory and includes a 14th century stone preaching cross, which was restored in 1864. ==Blackfriars rose garden==