Bottesford Preceptory facts for kids
Bottesford Preceptory was a special place where the Knights Templar lived and worked. It was located in Bottesford, a village near Scunthorpe in England. A preceptory was like a headquarters or a farm for the Templars. It included buildings and the land around them. Today, the building known as Bottesford Manor is thought to have been the main entrance, or gatehouse, to this old Templar site.
What Was Bottesford Preceptory?
The Bottesford Preceptory was built on low land near the Bottesford Beck. This was about 5 kilometers (3 miles) west of the Lincoln Cliff and the same distance east of the River Trent. It was one of many places where the Knights Templar managed their estates. Each preceptory had a leader called a preceptor.
The Knights Templar were a powerful group of Christian knights. They were formed long ago to protect people traveling to the Holy Land. They also became very wealthy and owned many lands across Europe.
The Templar's Bath
Behind Bottesford Manor, there is a spring known as the Templar's Bath. Today, it is mostly just a few stones in the ground. Some people think it was used by the Romans, but others believe it was a dipping well for the Templar workers.
This spring was once thought to have special healing powers. People would drink its water, hoping to get better. They would also leave pieces of cloth as offerings, which is why it was sometimes called a "rag well." This belief in healing might have come from its closeness to a Templar hospital.
Archaeologists found an old gravestone near the bath. It had a large cross on it and covered a buried body. This was the only clear Templar item found at the site.
Archaeological Discoveries
In 1983, archaeologists dug in the fields near the Templar site. They were looking for clues about the old preceptory. However, they found very little during their search. After the dig, the land was filled back in.
