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THE TEMPLARS

IN BEDFORDSHIRE

BALDOCK -

The Knights Templar and the Church at Baldock

The town of Baldock, Hertfordshire, has its origins in the work of the Knights Templar, who founded it between 1138 and 1148. The land was granted by Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke, carved from the manor of Weston, and developed as one of the first planned medieval new towns in England.

The Templars laid out Baldock with four main streets—High Street, White Horse Street, Hitchin Street, and Church Street—radiating from a wide crossroads that served as a marketplace. Flanking these were narrower lanes, such as The Twitchell, The Tene, Park Street, Pond Lane, Meeting House Lane, and Football Close, providing access to rear strips of land. Remarkably, this medieval street pattern is still visible on modern maps.

In 1199, the Templars secured an official market charter, renewed in 1227, granting them trading privileges including exemption from tolls and passage fees, as well as the right to receive a deer annually from the royal forests. They also held broad legal rights: Baldock was administered by Templar bailiffs who collected rents, enforced order, and oversaw justice. The Templars maintained their own gaol, gallows, pillory, and the right of view of frankpledge (a form of local court).

After the suppression of the Templars in 1309, their lands, including Baldock, passed to the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem. They retained the manor and the advowson of St Mary’s Church until their dissolution by Henry VIII in the 1540s. Thereafter, Baldock passed through many private owners, including the Bowles, Windsor, Pryor, and Beldam families, shaping the town’s later history.

St Mary’s Church, Baldock

The original church at Baldock was built by the Templars around 1150. Surviving portions of this early building remain in the eastern chancel, while much of the present structure reflects the Hospitallers’ rebuilding of around 1330.

Today, St Mary’s Church is a Grade I listed building, notable for its fine medieval features: a 12th-century east window, a 14th-century niche, and elaborately carved rood screens dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Within the church lies a remarkable and often overlooked memorial: the tombstone of Reginald de Argentein, a Knight Templar and patron of the church’s enlargement. Set into the floor, the worn stone bears an inscription in early French:

"Ci gist Reginald de Argentein,
qui fist ceste chapele estre.
Chevalier fu de Sainte Marie,
priez pur l’ame, bons hume, chascun."

Translated, this reads:

"Reginald de Argentein lies here,
Who caused this chapel to be.
He was a Knight of St Mary,
Let every good man pray for his soul."

Baldock Today

Baldock’s medieval market town plan remains visible, with its wide crossroads, parish church, and market space still forming the town’s historic centre. Several coaching inns survive from its days as a bustling staging post on the London–North route. Later industries such as malting and brewing left their mark on the Georgian architecture still visible in the town.

Today Baldock is largely a commuter town, but its core retains the legacy of the Templar vision, preserved in its street plan, St Mary’s Church, and the resting place of one of its knightly patrons.

WESTON

RADWELL - Mill

SHARNBROOK -

There were Three Manors Held in Sharnbrook, The Third Manor, that of TEMPLEHILLS, was owned from the 12th century by the Knights Templars. The Bishop of Coutances held in all 4½ hides in Sharnbrook in 1086

In villa de Sarnebroche:

Willelmus filius Aschetilli tenet ij virgatas ex donatione Willelmi Burdeth, pro vj sol., pro omnibus servitiis.
Osbertus filius Azur j virgatam pro iij sol., ex donatione dominae Aeliciae de Clermunt, et faciet ij preces in autumno, arabit ter in anno cum quanto sibi arauerit.
Petrus filius Nicholai ½ hida pro vij sol. et vj d., ex eadem donatione, et faciet sicut Osbertus.
Robertus de Russedene vij acras pro xviij d., ex donatione Roberti de Broi, pro omni servitio.
Robertus filius Turkilli xx acras pro xl d., ex donatione Simonis de Waulle, et faciet omnes preces, leuabit fenum, et arabit ter in anno cum quanto sibi arauerit, et presentum ad Natale.
Thomas de Widiheie ij acras pro xij d., ex donatione (name not repeated), et faciet sicut Robertus filius Turkilli.
Willelmus Parvus lij acras pro xij d., ex eadem donatione, et faciet sicut alii.
Hugo de Eddewrthe xvj acras pro ij sol., ex donatione Roberti Broi et Simonis de Waulle, et faciet sicut alii.
Hardinge ij acras pro ij d., ex donatione Aschetilli et Nicholai, et faciet ut supra memoratum est.
Alicia lij acras pro xij d., ex eadem donatione, et faciet sicut alii.
Reginaldus Hurt inj acras pro xij d., ex eadem donatione, et faciet ut praedictum est.
Reginaldus mercator lij acras pro xij d., ex donatione Simonis de Waulle, et faciet sicut alii.
Aschetillus de Nieuheie vij acras et mesuagium suum pro ij sol. et ij d., ex donatione Galfridi de Trailli, et faciet ut alii.
Willelmus Pauper xx acras de dominio pro iij sol., ex donatione Willelmi Trichet, et faciet ut alii.
Warinus faber acr(as) pro xviij d., ex eadem donatione, et faciet ut supra dictum est.
Robertus filius Azur vij acras pro xij d., ex eadem donatione, et faciet ut alii.
Robertus de Radewelle xxvij acras de terra arabili et xvij acras de bosco pro iij d., ex eadem donatione.
Galfridus filius Osberti reddit j d. in elemosina.
Rogerus filius Ricardi j vomer vel ij d.
Mesuagium quod fuit Alwini de Widiheie vij d. et

In the village of Sharnbrook:

William son of Aschetill holds 2 virgates by the gift of William Burdeth, for 6 shillings, in full discharge of all services.
Osbert son of Azur holds 1 virgate for 3 shillings, by the gift of Lady Alice of Clermont, and must do 2 boon-works (preces) in autumn and plough three times a year, with as much ploughing as he can provide.
Peter son of Nicholas holds ½ hide for 7 shillings and 6 pence, under the same donation, and must do the same services as Osbert.
Robert of Risseden holds 7 acres for 18 pence, by the gift of Robert de Broi, free of all services.
Robert son of Turkill holds 20 acres for 40 pence, by the gift of Simon de Wahull, and must perform all boon-works, gather hay, plough three times a year, and give a Christmas gift.
Thomas of Widiheie holds 2 acres for 12 pence, under the same donor, and must perform like Robert son of Turkill.
William Parvus (the Small) holds 52 acres for 12 pence, under the same donation, and must serve as others.
Hugh of Edworth holds 16 acres for 2 shillings, under the gift of Robert de Broi and Simon de Wahull, and must serve as others.
Harding holds 2 acres for 2 pence, by the gift of Aschetill and Nicholas, and must perform as above.
Alicia holds 52 acres for 12 pence, by the same donation, and must do as others.
Reginald Hurt holds 1½ acres for 12 pence, under the same donation, and must perform as described.
Reginald the merchant holds 52 acres for 12 pence, by the gift of Simon de Wahull, and must do as others.
Aschetill of Newhay holds 7 acres and a house for 2 shillings and 2 pence, by the gift of Geoffrey de Trailli, and must serve as others.
William the Poor holds 20 acres of demesne land for 3 shillings, by the gift of William Trichet, and must serve as others.
Warin the smith holds unspecified acres for 18 pence, from the same donor, and must perform as described above.
Robert son of Azur holds 7 acres for 12 pence, from the same donor, and must serve as others.
Robert of Radwell holds 27 acres of arable land and 17 acres of woodland for 3 pence, from the same donor.
Geoffrey son of Osbert pays 1 penny in alms.
Roger son of Richard owes 1 ploughshare or 2 pence.
A house formerly of Alwin of Widiheie renders 7 pence

The passage provides an extensive record of tenants in Sharnbrook holding land from or on behalf of the Knights Templar (or associated donors) in return for a mixture of:

Money rents
Labour services (ploughing, haymaking, etc.)
Customary dues (hens at Christmas, gifts, or tools like ploughshares)

Donors include prominent local figures:

Simon de Wahull
Robert de Broi
William Burdeth
Alicia de Clermont
Geoffrey de Trailli
William Trichet

These gifts and grants would have been part of the Templars' endowed estates, with revenue supporting their military-religious functions.

LANGFORD - St Andrews Church

A Royal Charter and a Noble Gift

In the early 12th century, during the reign of King Stephen of England (1135–1154), the Knights Templar—the famed military and religious order—were granted rights to the Church of Langford in Bedfordshire. This grant was formally confirmed by King Stephen himself, as recorded in a royal charter preserved in the Monasticon Anglicanum.

The charter confirms a significant donation made by Simon de Wahull (a powerful Bedfordshire baron), his wife Sibilla, and their son Walter. The Wahull family—based at Odell Castle—were one of the leading noble houses in Bedfordshire, holding extensive lands across the county and beyond.

The Gift to the Templars

The donation was the “ecclesia de Langeforde”—the church of Langford. While the document does not describe buildings or property in detail, the nature of such grants typically included:

The advowson (the right to appoint the parish priest),
A portion of the tithes (parish income),
And often associated glebe lands (land supporting the priest or generating income).

This meant that the Templars did not simply acquire spiritual oversight—they gained real economic benefit and long-term influence over the parish of Langford.

Royal Confirmation

King Stephen’s charter reads:

“Know that I have granted and confirmed for perpetual alms to God and the Temple of Jerusalem, and to the soldiers serving God, the gift that Simon de Wahull and Sibilla his wife, and Walter their son, made to them of the church of Langeford.”

The charter was issued at Oxford, and was witnessed by senior royal figures including Robert the Chancellor, Earl Gilbert, Earl Simon, and Gilbert de Grant—typical signatories in Stephen’s royal court.

The Church Today

The church mentioned in the 12th-century charter is believed to correspond to St Andrew’s Church, Langford, located on Church Street, just south of Biggleswade, and about 1.5 miles east of the A1.

While the current building reflects later medieval and Victorian construction, the parish site and its surrounding lands are the same “Langeforde” referred to in the Templar donation.

Legacy of the Templars in Langford

By receiving this church, the Knights Templar established a spiritual and economic presence in this part of Bedfordshire. Such grants were part of a broader pattern of land acquisition that supported their mission in the Holy Land and across Europe. After the suppression of the Templars in the early 14th century, their English estates—including Langford—were transferred to other religious orders, most notably the Knights Hospitaller.

RISELEY -

Riseley has ties to the Knights Templar. Harvies Manor is first distinctly recorded in 1279, when Walter, son of Geoffrey de Riseley, held four hides of land from the Knights Templar.

The site of Harvies Manor is now known as Riseley Lodge Farm, located at the end of Bowers Lane. This site still preserves medieval timber-framed buildings, including the main lodgings with their original inner wooden structure.

PERTENHALL -

The Manor of Howe and Pertenhall (Covington Fee)

The manor of Howe and Pertenhall, also known as Covington Fee, is believed to have belonged to the Knights Templar. Although written records of their tenure are scarce, land in the parish was still known locally as “Templars’ Lands” well into the 19th century.

Historic gazetteers from the 19th century recall that a Templar preceptory once stood at Pertenhall, its site marked by a moat which remains visible today. This moat is traditionally pointed out as the location of the Templars’ manor house.

After the suppression of the order in the early 14th century, the manor passed to the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem, whose preceptory was at nearby Melchbourne. In 1319, the Hospitallers granted the manor temporarily to John Merlyn, who received royal rights of free warren from Edward II. The Prior of the Hospitallers continued to hold a view of frankpledge in the parish.

The Manor House

The present Elizabethan Manor House at Pertenhall stands on the original moated site once occupied by the Templars. Built on a timber-frame construction, it makes a striking impression when approached from the parish church. Among its later residents was the Rolt family, which included a daughter of Oliver Cromwell.

The manor grounds include a large walled garden, adjoining the churchyard and echoing the layout of the neighbouring Old Rectory gardens.

MILLBROOK -

in 1287, the manor was owned by the Knights Templar, who claimed view of frankpledge twice yearly by charter of Henry III. At that time, the manor was assessed at three carucates of land. Following the suppression of the Templars by Pope Clement V, the estate, like most Templar properties, passed to the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem.

The 1185 report from Geoffrey Fitzstephen reports the following of Millbrook

In villa de Melebroc.

Adam tenet iij. uirgatas pro vij. sol. ex dono Roberti de Aubeni, et faciet ij. preces in autumpno, et arabit ter in anno cum quanto sibi arauerit.
Willelmus tector viij. acras pro ij. sol. et ij. precibus et ij. gallinas ad presentum in Natale.
Walterus filius Simonis ij. acras pro ij. sol. et v.d. pro prato, et ij. precibus et ij. gallinas in Natale.
Hugo tector ij. acras pro xij.d. et ij. precibus et ij. gallinas in Natale.
Reginaldus de Wiueldene v. acras pro sex.d. et ij. precibus et ij. gallinas.
Sanian ilij. acras pro xij.d. et ij. precibus et ij. gallinas in Natale.
Norman v. acras pro xx.d. et ij. precibus et ij. gallinas.
Rogers de Northfulger viij. acras pro lij. sol. et ij. precibus et ij. gallinas.

Summa. xxx. sol. et ix.d. cum molendino quod reddit x. sol. et dim.
Hanc villam tenet Robertus de Risseden, ad firmam ad terminum.

Peuerel de Maldune reddit ij. sol. in elemosina ex dono Willelmi Martel.

In the village of Melebroc:

Adam holds 3 virgates (c. 90 acres) for 7 shillings, by the gift of Robert de Aubeni, and he must perform 2 boon works (preces) in autumn, and plough three times a year, with whatever team he can muster.
William the roofer (tector) holds 8 acres for 2 shillings, and 2 boon works, and gives 2 hens at Christmas.
Walter son of Simon holds 2 acres for 2 shillings, and 5 pence for meadow, and 2 boon works, and 2 hens at Christmas.
Hugh the roofer holds 2 acres for 12 pence, with 2 boon works and 2 hens at Christmas.
Reginald of Wiueldene holds 5 acres for 6 pence, with 2 boon works and 2 hens.
Sanian holds 3 acres for 12 pence, with 2 boon works and 2 hens at Christmas.
Norman holds 5 acres for 20 pence, with 2 boon works and 2 hens.
Roger of Northfulger holds 8 acres for 52 shillings, with 2 boon works and 2 hens.

It is also mentioned in the same report

Iohannes molendinarius tenet molendinum de Melebroche pro x. sol. ex dono Roberti de Aubeni.
John the miller holds the mill of Melebroch for 10 shillings, by the gift of Robert de Aubeni.

Sum total of rent: 30 shillings and 9 pence,

Plus a mill, which renders 10 shillings and a half (i.e. 10s 6d).

The village is held by Robert de Risseden "ad firmam ad terminum" — meaning on lease for a term.

The record documents a list of tenants and their dues in the village of Melebroc, showing a mixed economy of monetary rents, labor services, and customary gifts (e.g. hens at Christmas). Some individuals are craftsmen (like roofers), while others are likely smallholders or villeins. The entire estate was being leased to Robert de Risseden, who managed it and paid a fixed rent.

The mill, a valuable asset, paid a separate annual rent of 10s 6d.

Finally, Peverel of Maldon is noted as paying a symbolic rent in alms, pointing to a religious or charitablearrangement, likely linked to earlier land donations by William Martel.

HARROLD -

The History of Swanton Manor and the Knights Templar in Harrold, Bedfordshire

In the medieval period, the village of Harrold, Bedfordshire, was home to four recorded manors. One of these was Swanton Manor, which became closely associated with the Knights Templar during the 13th century.

In 1240, Flandrina Maudit and her husband Ralph de Carun gifted Swanton Manor to Robert de Sandford, the Master of the English Templars. The original grant included 150 acres of land and a sixth share of a mill. By 1244, tensions arose when Ralph Morin, the lord of nearby Harrold Manor, trespassed on common land. Despite his initial defiance, Morin later acknowledged the Templars' rightful claim to summer pasture for 460 sheep, 35 cattle, and 40 pigs. This would not be the last conflict between the Morins and the Templars.

By 1253, the Templars had expanded their holdings to 200 acres of land, 2 acres of meadow, and 3 virgates (a medieval land measure), along with four cottagers who served as villeins. Over time, the Templars consolidated their lands with those of Harrold Manor (Harrold Park).

Further disputes followed. In 1272, Ralph Morin’s grandson and his son John Morin were accused of unlawfully seizing goods from Hugh Gobion and his wife Maud, who were tenants of the Knights Templar at a property known as "le Kue" in Harrold. Before 1278, the Morins eventually transferred Harrold Manor to John de Grey, with the Templars continuing to hold it under his lordship until their dissolution.

By 1324, following the suppression of the Templars, John de Grey retained the manor, which by then included a mansion house, gardens, 260 acres of land, six tenants, five tenants at will, nine bondmen, and eleven cottagers, generating over £16 per annum in value.

In 1346, records show that the manor was transferred to the Knights Hospitaller, who were still documented as holding it in 1428 and 1509.

By 1886, Ordnance Survey maps identified the original lands of Swanton Manor as "Temple Spinney", while the former Harrold Park Manor had been significantly reduced in size. The mill, once partly owned by both the Templars and the Hospitallers, is believed to have stood near what is now the village green at the heart of Harrold

EDWORTH -

Evidence for the Knights Templar’s presence in Edworth comes from the Inquisition of 1185, a nationwide survey of the order’s estates in England.

The record notes:

In the vill of Hattelch (probably Hatch or a neighbouring settlement), Radulfus and Reinerus held half a virgate of land (about 15 acres), granted by Ada de Port, for a rent of five shillings, “in return for all services.”
In the vill of Eadwrthe (Edworth), Aschetinus the Dean held three virgates (around 90 acres) as land belonging to the Templars, in return for rent or service.

This entry shows that by the late 12th century the Templars held land in Edworth, and that it was occupied by a prominent local churchman. The inclusion of Edworth in the 1185 survey is strong confirmation that the parish formed part of the order’s estates in Bedfordshire.