THE KNIGHTS IN WALES
The Knights Hospitallers held several key estates across medieval Wales, including Slebech in Pembrokeshire—their Welsh headquarters—along with commanderies at Ysbyty Ifan in Conwy, and lands in places like Dinmore, Pembroke, and parts of Glamorgan. These sites served both religious and administrative roles, supporting their mission of care, charity, and crusade.
The Knights Hospitallers in Wales
SLEBACH -
The Knights Hospitallers at Slebech: A Forgotten Powerhouse in Pembrokeshire
Hidden within the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the Commandery of Slebech was once a major centre of medieval faith, power, and hospitality. Established around 1161, the estate was gifted to the Knights Hospitaller by Wizo the Fleming, Lord of Wiston, under the patronage of the Clare Earls of Pembroke.
Spanning 100 acres with its own mill, fishpond, and the Church of St John, Slebech quickly became a vital rest stop for pilgrims on their way to St Davids Cathedral, one of Britain’s most important pilgrimage sites. After Pope Calixtus II’s decree in 1123, journeys to St Davids gained immense spiritual significance—making Slebech a busy and essential hub.
Sitting on the Eastern Cleddau River, Slebech was also a key point for Knights departing for or returning from the Crusades. Local tradition suggests that the hearts of fallen Knights were returned here for burial, some in the church crypt, others on nearby Slebech Island, where a 12th-century sword was later discovered.
By the 14th century, Slebech had grown into the wealthiest Hospitaller estate in Britain outside of Clerkenwell, with 31 churches under its control and an annual income of £307—around £380,000 today. In 1338, the community at Slebech included Commander John de Frouwyck, two brothers of the order, a chaplain, four corrody holders (laypeople granted lifelong food, clothing, and shelter by the Knights), and thirteen servants.
Despite its prosperity, the obligation to offer constant hospitality to pilgrims was a heavy responsibility.
Today, the estate’s medieval past lingers in the evocative ruins of St John's Church, where the Hospitaller cross still stands proudly above the entrance. The Knight’s Way, an ancient path through Canaston Wood to Templeton, invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of the Knights.
Slebech remains a place where the stories of pilgrimage, crusade, and chivalry still echo through the landscape.
Check Out our Blog Entry on the Knights Hospitallers at Slebech by Clicking Here
Ysbty Ifan
TEMPLETON
PEMBROKE
BONVILLESTON
CASTELLON
KEMEYS COMMANDER -
At Kemeys commander. the Knights Hospitallers once held 120 Acres of land, along with The Advowson (The right to appoint the Priest) of All Saints Church, which still stands today. Though Little physically evidence of the Hospitallers remain the enduring presence of the Church - and the place name itself - offers a quiet echo of the medieval commandery that once stood here.
All Saints Church Kemeys Commander
The Knights Hospitaller Gower Pilgramage -
Wales was an important stronghold for the Knights Hospitallers, as their main rivals, the Knights Templar's
held only small pockets of lands within Wales, making them important for Pilgrims visiting St Davids & Wishing hospitallity along the way, or at the Commandery of Slebech wishing to depart for the Holy Lands. At One time Slebech had upto 31 Churches attched to it, some of which were along the Gower & Pembrokeshire Pilgramage route below
ILSTON -
Tucked away in the peaceful countryside, St Illtyd's Church at Ilston is a beautiful 13th-century building that holds layers of spiritual history. Beneath its medieval stone walls lie the remains of a much earlier religious site, believed to date back to the 6th century, when a simple monastic cell may have first been established here.
The earliest written record of a church at Ilston appears in 1119, marking it as a place of Christian worship for over 900 years. In 1221, the church gained new significance when it was granted to the Knights Hospitallers of Slebech, linking this quiet corner of Wales to one of the most powerful and far-reaching religious military orders of the medieval world.
Today, St Illtyd's remains a place of peace and reflection, where visitors can experience the layers of history—from its ancient Celtic beginnings to its medieval ties with the Hospitallers.
PENMAEN -
The original Penmaen Church is believed to have been abandoned and gradually buried by sand in the early 14th century, a time marked by climate change and violent storms along the south coast of Gower. The church once stood on the Burrows, not far from the ruins of Penmaen Old Castle, which overlooks the stunning Three Cliffs Bay.
Today, the remains of the church are largely hidden beneath the sands, but visitors can still see two prominent grassy banks nearby. These are thought to be the earthworks of a simple 12th-century motte and bailey castle, which is still marked on local maps.
By the 14th century, a new Gothic-style church was built further inland, along what is now the main South Gower road. This new church was dedicated to St John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem, who had held the living of the original Penmaen Church.
Though much of the old church has been lost to time and the shifting sands, its story remains an important part of Gower’s rich medieval heritage, closely tied to the influence of the Knights Hospitallers in the region.
PENRICE -
Nestled in the village of Penrice, Swansea, The Church of St Andrew is a remarkable example of early medieval architecture, dating back to the 12th century. Dedicated to St Andrew, the church has stood for centuries as a place of worship and community.
In the latter part of the 12th century, the church gained new significance when it was granted by the de Penrice family—Norman lords who acquired lands in Gower during the Norman invasion of Wales. They gifted the church to the Knights Hospitaller of Slebech, one of the most influential religious and military orders of the medieval world.
This historic connection ties the Church of St Andrew to the wider network of the Knights Hospitaller, whose presence shaped much of the region’s spiritual and social life during the Middle Ages.
PORT EYNON -
The village of Port Eynon, located on the south-western tip of Gower, takes its name from the once-thriving port that served the local community and traders along the coast.
The village church is dedicated to St Cattwg of Llancarfan, and tradition holds that the site was originally founded in the 6th century by St Cenydd, who brought Christianity to Gower as part of his missionary work.
The first stone church on the present site was built in the late 12th century, and like many churches in Gower, it came under the patronage of the Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem. In 1165, Robert de Mare gifted the advowson (the right to appoint the parish priest) to the Knights, linking Port Eynon to their wider network of influence.
St Cattwg’s Church remains a testament to the deep religious history of Gower and its connections to one of the most powerful medieval military orders in Europe
RHOSSILI -
The first recorded mention of St Mary’s Church, Rhossili dates to the period following the Norman conquest of the Gower Peninsula. Between 1135 and 1230, William de Turberville granted the church at Rhossili—along with those at Landimore and Llanrhidian—to the powerful Knights Hospitaller of St John at Slebech in Pembrokeshire.
The church’s dedication to the Virgin Mary is believed to have originated in the 12th century, as confirmed by historical records (Merrick, ed. James, 1983). For centuries, the Knights Hospitaller held the right to appoint the rectors of Rhossili until the dissolution of the order in 1540. Following this, the Crown assumed patronage until the disestablishment of the Church in 1920.
Today, St Mary’s Church stands as a quiet monument to this remarkable history. Visitors can still see the original Norman doorway and font, architectural reminders of its medieval past. The church also features a Leper Squint—a small window through which those suffering from leprosy could observe religious services without coming into contact with the main congregation, reflecting both the social challenges and compassionate practices of the time.
St Mary’s remains a treasured part of Rhossili’s heritage, beautifully overlooking the coastline and welcoming visitors to explore its rich story.
LLANMADOC -
Llanmadoc and the Knights Hospitaller: A Hidden Chapter in Gower’s Sacred Past
Tucked away at the western edge of the Gower Peninsula, Llanmadoc is a place rich in history and legend. Tradition tells us that St Madoc established a church here as early as the 6th century, and the present stone church, dating from the 13th century, stands as a lasting reminder of the site’s long spiritual heritage.
Within the church, several ancient features survive. A crude pillar cross is set into the west wall, alongside a boundary marker carved with a cross and smaller crosslets—remarkably similar to those found at Garway, a church also once held by the Knights Hospitaller. These markers are believed to date from the 7th to 9th centuries, suggesting that Llanmadoc’s sacred significance extends far beyond the medieval period. The church’s simple Norman font adds further weight to its deep-rooted history.
In the 12th century, Llanmadoc became part of the estates controlled by the Knights Templar. The manor was attached to the Preceptory of Garway in Herefordshire, a key Templar stronghold. Historical records note that 60 acres of Llanmadoc’s lands were farmed by local tenants, while an additional 50 acres were held in demesne, worked directly for the Templars’ own profit.
Following the suppression of the Templars in the early 14th century, the Sheriff of Carmarthen was instructed to arrest the Templar brothers at Llanmadoc. According to tradition, the sheriff made no haste, taking three days to arrive while charging his fee by the day. By the time he reached Llanmadoc, his expenses nearly matched the entire annual value of the estate.
After the Templars’ dissolution, control of the church and manor passed to the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem. The advowson (the right to appoint the parish priest) would have transferred to the Commandery of Slebech in Pembrokeshire, bringing Llanmadoc into a more local network of Hospitaller estates.
The Templars, and later the Hospitallers, are also believed to have operated a mill near Cheriton, close to the Burry stream and the Church of St Cadoc. The building thought to have been the medieval mill now serves as a pottery shop near St Cadoc’s Church.
Although the grand days of the Templars and Hospitallers have long passed, Llanmadoc still carries the quiet legacy of these legendary orders. The ancient stones, winding paths, and stories woven into the landscape invite visitors to pause and imagine the footsteps of knights, pilgrims, and farmers who once shaped this sacred corner of Gower.
CHERITON -
Landimore: Lost Church of the Knights Hospitaller
Just east of Llanmadoc, along the banks of the Burry stream, lies the ancient manor of Landimore. Its Welsh name is thought to mean ‘Church by the Sea’, a fitting title for this once-significant settlement.
The manor was later acquired by the de Turberville family, who also gifted several churches in the Gower region to the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem. Among these was the church of Llanrhidian, Rhossili, and one referred to in medieval records as ‘Llandunnor’. Historians now widely agree that ‘Llandunnor’ was most likely a misrecording or corruption of Landimore, and that the original church granted to the Hospitallers would have stood here.
It is believed that the church at Landimore was abandoned by the 13th century, possibly due to coastal erosion or flooding from the encroaching sea. As the settlement declined, the nearby church at Cheriton appears to have been built to serve the local community, possibly replacing the lost church at Landimore. This would also explain Cheriton’s close proximity to both Llanmadoc Church and the mill originally held by the Knights Templar.
The timing of Cheriton’s construction may coincide with the dissolution of the Templars in the early 14th century, when their lands, including the mill near Llanmadoc, passed to the Knights Hospitaller. Together, these sites formed part of the wider Hospitaller estate that shaped the spiritual and agricultural life of this part of Gower.
Though little now remains of the medieval church at Landimore, its story survives in the landscape and in the enduring connections between the churches, mills, and manors that once belonged to these powerful military orders.
LLANRHIDIAN -
The striking stone church of St Rhidian and St Illtyd in Llanrhidian has deep medieval and possibly early Christian roots. According to tradition, the church was built in the 13th century by the Knights Hospitaller of St John, on the site of an earlier religious settlement founded in the 6th century by Saint Rhidian.
The church and surrounding estates were gifted to the Hospitallers by William de Turberville, a prominent Norman landowner who was instrumental in establishing several Hospitaller holdings across Gower. Records show that religious buildings already stood here as early as 1167, when the Knights began to develop the estate.
In the 14th century, the church was enlarged with the addition of a chancel and a substantial west tower. The tower’s massive, fortified construction suggests that it may have served a defensive purpose, likely offering refuge in troubled times. Local tradition also holds that the tower was used as a navigation beacon for sailors, with a fire sometimes lit at its summit to guide ships along the Gower coast.
The Knights Hospitaller retained patronage of the church until 1540, when the Welsh commanderies were dissolved as part of Henry VIII’s wider suppression of the monastic orders.
One of the church’s most curious features lies just inside the porch—a mysterious carved stone, sometimes referred to as a ‘Leper Stone’. Measuring around two metres in length, the stone bears intricate carvings of human and animal figures. Traditionally, leper stones were placed outside churches to collect alms for sufferers of leprosy, often featuring a small indentation where coins could be left. The true origins and meaning of the Llanrhidian stone remain a mystery, adding to the site’s rich layers of history and legend.
LOUGHER -
The parish of Loughor, situated on the estuarine banks of the River Loughor (Afon Llwchwr) in western Glamorgan, holds a notable connection to the medieval Knights Hospitaller. Between 1156 and 1184, Henry de Newburgh gifted the advowson (the right to appoint the parish priest) of the Church of St Michael in Loughor to the Knights Hospitallers of the Commandery at Slebech.
Although the original medieval church no longer survives, the present Church of St Michael stands on the same site, having been completely rebuilt in 1885. The gift of this church helped extend the reach of the Hospitallers across South Wales, strengthening their influence in the region both spiritually and economically.
The Knights Hospitaller Pembrokeshire Pilgramage
AMROTH
Around 1150, the parish church of St. Elidyr in Amroth, along with nearby land, was granted to the Knights Hospitaller—also known as the Knights of St. John. This influential order, based in Slebech to the north, played a significant role in the local community and the broader pilgrimage network of the time.
One of the unique privileges associated with the church was its status as a sanctuary. Outlaws could seek refuge here, provided they agreed to leave the country permanently afterward.
The Knights Hospitaller were also known for supporting pilgrims traveling the route from Amroth to the sacred site of St Davids. Their holdings included 50 acres of land and two "ploughlands," underscoring the importance of their presence in the region
TEMPLETON -
The Origins and Medieval Planning of Templeton
The name Templeton is widely believed to have originated from the Templars’ Farm. Historical records from 1282 refer to the settlement as Villa Temparil, meaning "the village of the Templars," and also as Villa Templarorium Campestris—"the village of the Templars in the fields." These early names reflect the area’s strong connection to the Knights Templar.
By 1283, Templeton was also noted for its burgesses—specifically burgesses de vento, meaning "of the wind." These were traders who, while not property owners within the village, were granted the right to enter and leave freely to conduct regular commerce.
The oldest surviving buildings in Templeton today are found at Templeton Farm. However, it is likely that the original Templar manor once stood at the site of the Medieval Sentence Castle, which sits on the hill overlooking the village. This would have been a moated manor house, strategically positioned to oversee the surrounding lands and the tenants living below.
The layout of present-day Templeton is a classic example of deliberate medieval planning. The village is arranged along a single main street, with houses fronting the road and long, narrow plots—known as burgages—stretching out behind each dwelling. This structured design is still visible today, and the surrounding fields retain the tell-tale narrow strips that mark the remnants of the medieval open field agricultural system, later enclosed but still etched into the landscape.
Templeton’s carefully planned medieval character, combined with its Templar heritage, makes it a fascinating example of a settlement shaped by both history and design
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MARTLETWY -
The Sad Story of the Church of St. Marcellus, Martletwy
Nestled in the quiet upper reaches of the Eastern Cleddau, within the parishes of Martletwy and Lawrenny and the historic medieval Barony of Carew, stands the Church of St. Marcellus—a once-sacred place now in an almost ruinous state, in urgent need of care and attention.
The Church of St. Marcellus is believed to have ancient origins, possibly as a pre-Conquest ecclesiastical foundation. In the 12th century, John FitzRaymond de Martletwy, Lord of the Manor, granted the church, along with a substantial portion of land in the northern part of the parish, to the Knights Hospitaller at Slebech. This generous gift included 240 acres, strengthening the influence and holdings of the Knights of St. John in the area.
Sadly, in 2011, the church was scheduled for partial demolition and was set to be preserved only as a managed ruin. What remains today is a poignant reminder of its deep medieval roots and the generations who worshipped, served, and found sanctuary within its walls.
The story of St. Marcellus is not just a chapter of the past—it is a call for preservation and care for what little is left of this once-significant landmark.
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MINWEAR -
The Church of Womar and the Knights of St. John
Around 1150, the Church of Womar was granted to the Knights of St. John by Robert, son of Lomer—a name of Norman Norse origin. Although the church is dedicated to Womar, it is believed that over time, the name of its founder, Lomer, may have been mistakenly linked or confused with Womar.
Despite extensive restoration work carried out in 1874, the church still preserves key elements of its original structure, including the nave and supporting stone pillars. Originally, the building would have consisted of a single chamber, but over the centuries, several additions have been made.
As part of the grant, the Hospitallers also received 540 acres of surrounding land along with the advowson (the right to appoint the parish priest) of the church. The memory of the Knights of St. John is still reflected in the church’s architecture today, particularly in the modern circular windows on either side of the building, a subtle nod to their enduring legacy.
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UZMASTON -
The Uzmaston area in Pembrokeshire, Wales, holds significant historical connections to the Knights Hospitaller. The Church of St. Ismael in Uzmaston was originally granted to Worcester Cathedral, but by before 1130, it had passed into the hands of the Knights Hospitaller at Slebech.
The Knights' influence in the area grew steadily, and the advowson (the right to appoint the parish priest) of St. Ismael's Church was officially granted to the Knights of Slebech, likely before 1169. The Hospitallers maintained a strong presence across the local river, holding lands that reinforced their role in the spiritual and agricultural life of the region.
Uzmaston's ties to the Knights Hospitaller remain an important part of the area's rich medieval heritage
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PENDERGEST -
The advowson of the Church of St David, now located in a suburb of Haverfordwest, was granted to the Knights Hospitaller between 1162 and 1176. Originally built in 1191, the church has undergone many changes over the centuries, with only the top of the tower and the porch remaining from the original structure. Today, a modern metal gate stands as a subtle tribute to the Knights Hospitaller and their lasting presence in the area.
RUDBAXTON
The earliest known record of a church on this site dates back to the 12th century, when Wizo, Lord of Wiston, granted it to the Knights Hospitaller of St John at Slebech, possibly as early as 1161. This grant, which was later supported by the powerful Clare Earls of Pembroke, referred to the church as Ecclesia Rudepagstona. Before its later dedication to St Michael, an earlier church on the site was originally dedicated to St Madoc, reflecting the site’s deep-rooted ecclesiastical history.
ROCH -
LETTERSTON -
The Church of St Giles in Letterston stands as the most significant surviving feature of the village’s medieval past. The church has been at the heart of the community since at least the 12th century, likely founded alongside the establishment of the Anglo-Norman manor in the area.
By 1130, the church was formally recorded when it was granted to the Knights Hospitaller of Slebech by Ivo, son of Letard. While much of the current structure dates to the 19th century, important medieval features remain, including a later medieval piscina and a tomb effigy visible inside the church.
Just outside the churchyard once stood the holy well known as Ffynnon Shan Shilin, although it is no longer visible today. Many believe this well was originally called Ffynnon San Silin (St Sulien’s Well), which may suggest that the church’s earliest dedication was to St Sulien. It is possible that when the church relocated to its present site in the 12th century, the dedication was anglicised to St Giles.
In medieval times, such wells were highly valued for their supposed holy and healing properties. Even though these beliefs were discouraged after the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, they often continued in rural communities for centuries.
The church of St Giles and its surrounding history offer a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual life, traditions, and enduring medieval heritage of Letterston.
ROSEMARKET
LLANFAIR
AMBLESTON -
St Mary’s Church, Ambleston – A Medieval Gift to the Knights Hospitaller
St Mary’s Church in Ambleston served as a parish church during the post-Conquest period within the medieval Deanery of Rhos. The benefice was established as a vicarage, providing spiritual care to the local community.
Known historically as Almenolfeston, the church was granted to the Knights Hospitaller of the Slebech Commandery between 1147 and 1176 by Wizo the Fleming of Wiston, a prominent Norman lord. This grant further strengthened the influence of the Knights Hospitaller in the region during the 12th century.
WALTON EAST
CLARBESTON
CILMAENLLWYD
CILSANT
Blaidon (tbc)
Bochinfield (tbc)
Cuffern (tbc)
Dolbyyrvawr (tbc)
Stacpole (Stackpole)
Stokesbury
Welsh Hook
KNIGHT HOSPITALLER FIGURES in WALES
Yorkshire & the Hospitallers: Learn Who Shared Their Chapter of History Here
SLEBECH -
John de Frouwyck - Commander 1338
Roger de Waldeshef - Commander 1323
Simon Launcelyn - Brother
James de Mount Gomery - Brother
Sir Richard de Multon - corrody holder
Sir Thomas de Laudstephan (chaplain) - corrody holder
John Samson - corrody holder
Richai'd de Conesgrave - corrody holder
Richard de Penres - (descendant of the John and Robert of the same name who bestowed properties in Gower on the Hospitallers towards the end of the twelfth century