The Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of the Newarke (also known as the College of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Newarke, or simply Newarke College) was a collegiate church and religious foundation located in the Newarke area of Leicester, England.
Foundation and History It was founded in 1353–1354 by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, as a college for a dean and twelve canons (later increased), dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The foundation was confirmed by royal charter in 1356 and by papal bull in 1361. It was situated within the "Newarke" (New Work), a walled religious precinct established by Henry's father, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, which lay just outside the south gate of the medieval town walls.
Architecture and Status The church was a substantial Perpendicular Gothic structure, serving as the chapel for the college. It functioned as a significant Lancastrian mausoleum; Henry of Grosmont was buried there in 1361, alongside his father Thomas (reinterred there from the Hospital of St. John) and other family members. The college held the status of a royal free chapel, granting it exemption from episcopal jurisdiction.
Dissolution and Aftermath The college was dissolved in 1548 under the Chantries Act during the reign of Edward VI. The buildings were largely demolished shortly after. The site passed through various private hands. In the 16th and 17th centuries, a mansion known as "The Newarke" or "Newarke House" was built on the site incorporating some monastic remains.
Surviving Remains Very little of the original church structure survives above ground. The most significant surviving feature associated with the precinct is the Magazine Gateway (also known as the Gateway to the Newarke), a 15th-century gatehouse which served as the main entrance to the walled enclosure. Fragments of the college buildings and church foundations have been identified during archaeological excavations, particularly during the development of the De Montfort University campus, which now occupies much of the historic Newarke precinct.
