THE KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS
IN WARWICKSHIRE
TEMPLE BALSALL
Temple Balsall: From Templar Stronghold to Hospitaller Legacy
In 1185, Roger de Mowbray granted 640 acres of land to the Knights Templar, who swiftly established a preceptory at Temple Balsall. Following the dissolution of the Templars in 1324, the estate passed to the Knights Hospitaller, who later merged it with their nearby base at Temple Grafton. By 1470, Temple Balsall was largely abandoned in favour of the more prominent Grafton site.
Despite its decline, Temple Balsall produced two notable Grand Priors of the Hospitallers: Roger Mallory in 1443 and John Langstrother in 1470.
Today, the Grand Hall of Temple Balsall still stands—now encased in red brick—as a lasting reminder of its medieval past. The Church of St Mary, originally built by the Templars and later used by the Hospitallers, also survives. Look closely, and you'll spot knightly corbels watching silently from the walls, connecting modern worshippers with centuries of sacred and military history.
TEMPLE GRAFTON
Temple Grafton: A Hospitaller Legacy—Not Templar
Despite its name, Temple Grafton was never home to the Knights Templar. The title is the result of a later clerical error—the true medieval presence here belonged to the Knights Hospitaller.
In 1189, Henry de Grafton granted land to the Hospitallers, and by 1386, they held the manor under Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick. A Hospitaller preceptory was established at Grafton by 1338, eventually becoming administratively linked to Temple Balsall.
Interestingly, historical accounts suggest the Preceptor of Balsall preferred the accommodations at Grafton, often choosing to lodge there instead. The preceptory most likely stood where Grafton Manor—now a private residence—sits today.
Nearby, a medieval dovecote still stands close to farm buildings, offering a rare and tangible connection to the Hospitaller presence that once shaped the landscape.
GRAFTON MANOR - Possible Site of the former Preceptory here.
GRAFTON Farm - Near the Manor of Grafton - Site of the Dovecote possibly Hospitallers?
WARWICK
RYTON-UPON-DUNSMORE
SHERBOURNE
BARSTON
MIDDLETON
MORTON
NEWBOLD PACEY
RADFORD SEMELE
ELDERSFIELD
FECKENHAM
HANBURY
NORTH PIDDLE
TEMPLE LAUGHERN
KNIGHT HOSPITALLER FIGURES AT WARWICKSHIRE
Warwickshire & the Hospitallers: Learn Who Shared Their Chapter of History Here
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John Beaufitz - farmer of the Hospitallers at Balsall, and resided there
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Robert Mallory - Hospitaller Preceptor of Balsall and Grafton - 1433
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Roger Malbry - Preceptor Balsall - 1443
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John Langstrother - Hospitaller Preceptor 1470 - beheaded by Edward iV 1471