THE KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS
IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
DINGLEY
The Hospitaller Commandery at Dingley
Nestled in the heart of Northamptonshire, the site of Dingley Hall was once home to a Knights Hospitaller commandery, dating back to the reign of King Stephen. Originally comprising around 300 acres, the preceptory was founded with the support of William de Clopton and his wife Emma during the reign of Henry II. It served as a place of hospitality, spiritual life, and military readiness for the Order.
By the late 15th century, Sir Henry Halley was recorded as preceptor (court roll, 18 March 1482), and Sir Giles Russell was the last commander before the dissolution of the order under Henry VIII.
Though much of the medieval structure is now gone, Dingley Hall—now a private residence—still preserves elements of its monastic past. The original tower and porch remain, quietly echoing its former purpose. The hall was significantly rebuilt in the 1550s, with further alterations in the 1680s, and its west wing was removed in 1781–82.
Tucked away behind a medieval brick wall and a modest blue gate stands All Saints Church, built in 1292 by Hugh de Dingele. Once the spiritual heart of the commandery, it stands on the site of an earlier chapel and would have been closely tied to the Hospitallers during their time in Dingley.
Today, while the knights are long gone, the peaceful landscape still hints at a time when this was a place of care, refuge, and devotion.
Learn more about the Commandery of Dingley on our blog here
BLAKESLEY
BRADDEN
Bradden and the Knights Hospitaller
Although little is known about the Knights Hospitaller’s presence in Bradden, historical records confirm they held a manor in the village. The exact location is uncertain, but Bradden House, to the southwest, is widely believed to stand on the site of the original Hospitaller manor, and it retains elements of late medieval architecture.
Nearby earthworks offer further clues. A long rectangular area—partly enclosed by a 1.5-metre-high bank and an outer ditch—features an uneven interior and terracing, which may point to a former garden or manorial site. While the remains may belong to a different medieval manor, they could also mark the original location of the Hospitaller estate in Bradden.
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Bradden Manor Lidar, Detailing the Medieval site in the Village, and the possibly site of the Knights Hospitaller's Manor at Bradden
RUSHTON
Rushton: The Last Grand Master’s Resting Place
Just seven miles east of Dingley lies Rushton, a village with deep connections to Sir Thomas Tresham, the last Grand Master (or Lord Prior) of the Knights Hospitallers in England. After Queen Mary temporarily restored the order, it faced a second dissolution in 1558 under Queen Elizabeth I. Sir Thomas Tresham, who had been knighted in 1524, died in 1559 and was laid to rest in All Saints Church in Rushton. His Effigy can be found in the Church,
A short distance down from the Church, can be found Rushton’s mysterious Triangular Lodge. Located within the manor of Rushton Hall, the lodge is a striking testament to Tresham’s religious devotion and fascination with symbolism. The number three, representing the Holy Trinity, dominates the structure: it has three walls, each 33 feet long, three triangular windows per side, three gargoyles, and three floors. Inscriptions on the exterior quote Latin biblical passages, reinforcing the religious significance of the design.
The Effigy of Sir Thomas Tresham - The Last Grand Master of the Order upon its final disollution
GUILSBOROUGH
TOWCESTER
HARRINGTON
