Torphichen Preceptory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torphichen Preceptory |
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| Location | Torphichen, West Lothian |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Years built | 1140s |
Torphichen Preceptory is an old church in the village of Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland. It was once the main base, or preceptory, for the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland. These were a group of knights who helped people during the Crusades.
The name Torphichen might come from an old Gaelic phrase, "Tóir Féichín." This means "the boundary or sanctuary of St Féichín." This name likely refers to special stones that marked a safe area around the village.
Contents
Exploring the Preceptory Buildings
The Preceptory was built around the 1140s. It was likely built on the site of an even older church. In the 1200s, the Preceptory became much bigger. The parts of the building you can still see today were first built then.
The complex included a church shaped like a cross. It had a main hall (nave), a central tower, and side sections (transepts). The tower and transepts are still standing. There were also other buildings, like a hospital. The church was made even bigger in the 1400s. A covered walkway, called a cloister, was added. Only its foundations remain today. This cloister was unusually on the north side of the church.
Changes Over Time
After the Scottish Reformation, the main hall of the church became the local parish church. The rest of the buildings slowly fell apart. However, the central part of the church, under the tower, still has amazing stonework. This stonework is from the late 1100s and early 1200s.
In 1756, the old main hall and other buildings were taken down. A new church was built in a T-shape. This church still has its old-fashioned box pews and galleries from the early 1800s. For some years, the remaining parts of the Preceptory were used as a courthouse. The central tower got a new roof in 1947. Today, Historic Scotland looks after it. You can visit it in the summer.
Sanctuary Stones and Old Graves
In the churchyard, there is a special "sanctuary stone." This stone marks the center of an area that was once a safe place. This safe area stretched for one Scots mile (about 1.8 km) around the stone. Two other "sanctuary stones" are still in their original spots.
Some people think these stones are much older than the Preceptory. They might be linked to the important Neolithic (New Stone Age) henge and burial mound at Cairnpapple Hill. This ancient site is located to the east.
The large churchyard also has many old gravestones from the 1600s and 1700s. These stones show interesting "folk art." You can see symbols of death and tools that show what jobs people did.
The Knights Hospitaller in Scotland
The Knights Hospitaller were a military and religious group. They were formed during the Crusades to care for sick pilgrims. King David I invited them to Scotland in 1132.
After another group, the Knights Templar, were stopped in 1312, their lands were given to the Knights Hospitaller. Torphichen became a very important Hospitaller site in Britain. It was second only to their main base in London. This transfer of land made Torphichen much richer and more powerful.
Famous Visitors and Battles
In 1298, during the Battle of Falkirk, Alexander de Welles was the Master of Torphichen Preceptory. He was killed in this battle. Other members of his family were also there.
William Wallace, a famous Scottish leader, held his last parliament meeting here. This was just before the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. The only document still existing that Wallace signed as "Guardian of Scotland" was prepared at Torphichen.
After the battle, King Edward I of England was brought to the Preceptory. He needed treatment for injuries he got when his horse stepped on him. The Hospitallers fought on the English side during the Wars of Scottish Independence. They left after the Scots won at Bannockburn. They returned later, during the time of Robert the Bruce.
Later Leaders and the End of the Preceptory
Sir William Knollys was a preceptor, or leader, of the Knights Hospitaller here. He also served as the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland for King James III and King James IV. He was given the title Lord St. John of Torphichen. Many believe he died at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
The last Preceptor was Sir James Sandilands. His father and older brother supported the Lords of the Congregation, a group of Scottish nobles who pushed for the Reformation. They were also friends with John Knox, a key figure in the Scottish Reformation.
In 1564, Sir James gave the Preceptory lands to the Crown. This means he gave them to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was his relative. She then gave the lands back to him for a payment of 10,000 crowns. He was also given the new title of Lord Torphichen.
Even today, the honorary role of Preceptor of Torphichen is still used. It is part of the modern Order of St John of Jerusalem.
See also
- Abbeys and priories in Scotland
- Treasurer of Scotland
