Baddesley Preceptory facts for kids
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Godsfield, Godesfield |
| Order | Knights Hospitaller |
| Established | pre. 1304 |
| Disestablished | 1540 |
| Site | |
| Location | Godsfield, and later North Baddesley, Hampshire, England |
| Coordinates | 51°07′45″N 1°08′21″W / 51.12917°N 1.13914°W 50°59′15″N 1°24′58″W / 50.98745°N 1.41612°W |
| Visible remains | chapel at Godsfield, no remains at North Baddesley |
Baddesley Preceptory was a special kind of religious house for the Knights Hospitaller. These knights were a famous group of Christian warriors. They were also known for helping sick people. This preceptory was first set up in a place called Godsfield. Later, it moved to North Baddesley in Hampshire, England.
Contents
What was Baddesley Preceptory?
A preceptory was like a local base for the Knights Hospitaller. The Knights Hospitaller were a military and religious order. They started around the time of the Crusades. Their main job was to protect pilgrims and care for the sick. They had many preceptories across Europe to manage their lands and support their work.
How it Started
Land in Godsfield, Hampshire was first given to the Hospitallers. This happened a long time ago, during the rule of King John. Henry of Blois, who was the Bishop of Winchester, gave them this land. In 1207, another person named Adam de Port gave them even more land there. They also received land in other places like Preston Candover and Child Candover. We don't know the exact year the preceptory was officially formed. But we know it was before 1304.
Life at the Preceptory (12th to 16th Centuries)
By 1355, the preceptory had moved to Baddesley. Even after the move, it was sometimes still called Godsfield. This place was quite small. It usually had only a Preceptor, who was the leader. There was also a chaplain (a priest) and about four servants. They managed lands and buildings in several areas of Hampshire. These areas included Godsfield, Baddesley, Rownham, and lands that used to belong to the Knights Templar at Temple.
The End of the Preceptory
In 1535, a survey called the Valor of 1535 was done. It showed that the preceptory was worth about £131 each year. This was a good amount of money back then. However, the preceptory was closed down in 1540. This was part of a bigger event called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. After it closed, its lands were given to different people. First, they went to Sir Thomas Seymour. Later, in 1551, they were given to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton.
What Remains Today?
Today, you can still see some parts of the old preceptory. The 14th-century chapel and the priest's house at Godsfield are still standing. However, nothing remains of the preceptory at North Baddesley. An 18th-century building called Baddesley Manor now stands on that site.
