Mount St. John Preceptory facts for kids
Mount St. John Preceptory was a special kind of building used by the Knights Hospitaller. These were a group of Christian knights who helped people and fought in wars a long time ago. The preceptory was located near a village called Felixkirk in North Yorkshire, England.
The Knights Hospitaller were like a mix of soldiers and nurses. They took care of sick and injured people, especially pilgrims traveling to holy places. They also protected these travelers.
A Look Back: The Preceptory's Story
A preceptory, which was like a local headquarters for the Knights Hospitaller, was built near Felixkirk. It was dedicated to St. Mary. This happened very early in the time of King Henry I. The Knights Hospitaller received five "knight's fees" from a powerful person named William Percy I. A knight's fee was a piece of land that could support a knight.
The Hospitallers also gained control over the local church. This meant they could choose the priest. In 1279, the church became officially linked to the Hospitallers.
By 1338, the buildings of the preceptory were in bad shape. They were described as "ruinous," meaning they were falling apart. Even so, the preceptory was still important. The Knights Hospitaller had rules to follow. They had to offer "hospitality," which meant providing food and shelter to travelers and the poor. They also had to give out food or money to poor people twice a year.
The preceptory collected money from different places, including the church in Felixkirk and donations from people in the area. This money helped them run their operations and care for others.
What Happened Next
Later, during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries, many religious buildings in England were closed down. This happened in the 1500s. After this, the Mount St. John Preceptory buildings were taken over by the Archbishop of York.
The old buildings were eventually pulled down in 1720. A new large house, called a manor house, was built in their place. This house is still known as Mount St. John today. It's considered a very important historical building. Its stable block, where horses were kept, is also a protected historical building.
Leaders of Mount St. John
Here are some of the people who led the Mount St. John Preceptory over the years. They were called Preceptors:
- William de Reding
- John de Thame (named in 1338)
- Richard de Quertone (named in 1365)
- John Kylquyt (named in 1415)
- Thomas Pemberton (named in 1528 and 1534)
- Richard Broke (named in 1539 and 1540)
