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THE TEMPLARS
IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE
PRECEPTORY OF DENNY -
Originally founded by Benedictine monks, the current abbey building dates back to before 1170. When the monks left Denny that year, the site was handed over to the Knights Templar, who repurposed it as a retirement home for elderly and infirm knights returning from the Crusades.
Although the detailed history of the Templar Preceptory at Denny is sparsely recorded, one surviving document from between 1229 and 1286 reveals that tithes from the nearby church at Great Witham—and from the Templar preceptory there—were used to support the aged knights living at Denny. Only one other known Templar infirmary in England existed, at Eagle in Lincolnshire, and both were once overseen by William de Forde, a respected Templar who clearly excelled as a guardian of the sick and elderly.
When the Templars were suppressed in the early 14th century, records indicate that at least fifteen knights were residing at Denny. They were imprisoned in nearby Cambridge Castle, and tragically, some did not survive to testify during the investigations. One of them, William de Marringe, died in captivity; two others possibly died before giving evidence in proceedings led by Roger de Ludlow and John de Hanville.
Today the Site is a Museuem run by English Heritage
PRECEPTORY GREAT WILBRAHAM
The Preceptory of Great Wilbraham is located where the area of Temple End Cambridge now exists, although there is no remaining evidence of the Templars Preceptory here.
The Preceptory at Wilbraham consisted of a Preceptor, a Priest and a Brother, who managed the estate & emplyed local layman to work the estate, to produce for food they supplied to Denny. The Manor house had been gifted to the Templars in 1226 by Peter Malauney - the church located at Gt Wilbraham was built by the Templars during their time here.
After the Dissolution of the Templars, the property was gifted (like most other Templar Properties) to the Knights Hospitaller in 1313.
PRECEPTORY OF DUXFORD
Early in the 13th Century, William de Colville founded a Hospital beside Whittlesford Bridge, split in two by the modern train station and railway. The Hospital is situated next to a small chapel, of St John the Baptist, which still exists today, managed by English Heritage, This Hospital & Chapel are to be distinguised from another Manor Granted to the Knights Templars, by different members of the de Coleville Family of 240 Acres of Land In Duxford, (or Dokesworth as it was known) Standing on the same bank, but nearer the village, Where they established Two Mills & A preceptory, close to what is today know as Temple Farm, near Temple Close which is where the Preceptory and Mills would have been located, traces of a rectangualr moat still exist today between the farm & the river
TOP LEFT - St John the Baptist Chapel Duxford
TOP RIGHT - The Site of the Original Hospital Now the Red Lion Hotel & Public House (Next to the Chapel)
LEFT - Inside St Johns Chapel
Cambridge Castle
Linked to the Knights Templars, as this is where the Knights, and Brothers at locations in Cambridgeshire were inprisoned and held at the castles Prison. Records show there were 15 Brothers arrested from Denny (listed Below) with at least on dying whilst held there, 1 from Wilbraham & 2 from Duxford (Listed Below)
Nothing remains of the castle today, other than the original Mount - However the position of the Original prison is visable
Cambridge Round Church
Elmeney
Little Shelford
Royston Cave
Ashley Cum Silverley
TEMPLAR FIGURES AT CAMBRIDGE
Knights Templar at Cambridge
Brothers Arrested in Cambridgeshire
- William de la Ford - Denny Preceptor - 42 Years Service
- John de Moun - Preceptor of Duxford - 38 Years Service
- William de Chesterton - Infirm Denny - 30 Years Service
- Alexander de Bolbeck - Denny - 30 Years Service
- William de Scotho - Denny - 28 Years Service
- William de Welles - Denny - 26 Years Service
- Robert the Scot - Denny - 26 Years Service
- John de Newent - Denny - 8 Years Service
- William de Thorp - Denny - 7 Years Service
- William Raven - Denny - 5 Years Service
- Roger Dalton - Denny - 4 Years Service
- William de Marringe - Denny - Died in Cambridge Castle
- Roger de Ludlow - Denny - died before testifying
- John de Hanville - Denny - died before testifying
- John de Hauteville - Denny - Insane
- Win Raven - Wilbraham - 5 Years Service