Templecombe Preceptory facts for kids
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Knights Templar then Knights Hospitaller |
| Established | 1185 |
| Disestablished | 1539 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Leofwine |
| Important associated figures | Odo of Bayeux |
| Site | |
| Location | Templecombe, Somerset, England |
The Templecombe Preceptory (also known as Combe Templariorum) was a special kind of religious and military base. It was set up in 1185 in the village of Templecombe, located in Somerset, England.
Contents
What Was Templecombe Preceptory?
A preceptory was like a headquarters or a local office for a group of warrior monks called the Knights Templar. These knights were a powerful Christian military order during the Middle Ages. They were known for their role in the Crusades, which were religious wars fought to take back the Holy Land.
How It Started
The land where Templecombe Preceptory was built used to belong to Earl Leofwine. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, this land was given to Bishop Odo of Bayeux. Later, one of his family members, Serlo FitzOdo, gave the land to the Knights Templar. This is how they were able to build their preceptory in Templecombe in 1185.
What the Preceptory Did
The Templecombe Preceptory had a few important jobs:
- Managing Land: It was a central place for the Templars to manage all the lands they owned in the southwest of England and in Cornwall. They collected money and resources from these lands.
- Training: It might have also been used to train knights and their horses. This training would prepare them for battles and missions, especially for the Crusades far away.
Changes Over Time
The Knights Templar were a very powerful group, but they eventually faced problems. In 1307, Pope Clement IV ordered their suppression, meaning they were disbanded.
From Templars to Hospitallers
After the Knights Templar were no longer active, their lands and properties, including Templecombe Preceptory, were given to another group of warrior monks. These were the Knights of St John. The Hospitallers continued to use the preceptory until 1539.
The End of the Preceptory
The preceptory finally closed down during a period known as the dissolution of the monasteries. This was when King Henry VIII of England closed many monasteries and religious houses across the country.
Searching for History
Even today, people are interested in the history of Templecombe Preceptory. The popular archaeological television show Time Team even tried to find out more about "the village of the templars" in one of their episodes. They looked for clues about where the old buildings might have been.
