Swinford Preceptory facts for kids
 Location in Leicestershire
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Knights Hospitaller |
| Established | Before 1199 |
| Disestablished | 1540 |
| Mother house | from 1220 : Dalby Preceptory |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Robert Rivell |
| Site | |
| Location | Swinford, Leicestershire, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 52°24′22″N 1°10′42″W / 52.406143°N 1.178227°W |
| Visible remains | None |
Swinford Preceptory was a special kind of monastery for a group of warrior monks called the Knights Hospitaller. It was located near the village of Swinford, Leicestershire in the United Kingdom.
Contents
The Knights Hospitaller
The Knights Hospitaller were a famous Christian military order. They started in the 11th century to care for pilgrims in the Holy Land. Later, they also became a military force, protecting pilgrims and fighting in the Crusades.
What is a Preceptory?
A preceptory was like a local headquarters for the Knights Hospitaller. It was a place where the knights lived, trained, and managed their lands. These lands helped support their work, especially their hospitals and military efforts.
History of Swinford Preceptory
The Swinford Preceptory was set up a very long time ago, before the year 1199. A man named Robert Rivell gave land in Swinford to the Knights Hospitaller. This gift allowed them to build their new base.
A Smaller Base
Swinford Preceptory was not a very large base. Before 1220, it was managed by a bigger preceptory called Dalby Preceptory. This meant Dalby was in charge of Swinford's activities and resources.
By 1338, Swinford Preceptory became even smaller. It was known as a "camera," which means it was a lesser outpost. It was run by a "seneschal" (a chief officer) and a "bailiff" (a manager of land and money).
The End of the Preceptory
In 1540, the Knights Hospitaller in England were officially closed down. This happened because of King Henry VIII's "Dissolution of the Monasteries." During this time, King Henry VIII took control of many monasteries and religious houses across England. Swinford Preceptory, like many others, was dissolved and stopped being used by the Knights Hospitaller. Today, there are no remains left of the original buildings.
