.jpg)
THE TEMPLARS
IN ESSEX
The Knights Templar played a significant role in the history of Essex, leaving a lasting legacy that can still be traced across the county. From their establishment of important preceptories like those at Cressing Temple and Temple Balsall, to their influence on local agriculture, architecture, and trade, the Templars were key figures in medieval Essex. Their presence helped shape the region’s development during the 12th and 13th centuries, making Essex an important stronghold in the Templar network across England.
CRESSING -
The preceptory at Cressing was the first recorded property of the Knights Templar outside of London, granted by Queen Matilda in 1136—a testament to its early importance within the order. Not long after, in 1147–48, King Stephen gifted the nearby land at Witham, further strengthening the Templars’ presence in Essex. Today, Cressing Temple is home to two of the finest surviving examples of Templar architecture in the UK: the Barley and Wheat Barns. These impressive structures, originally used for storing grain, remain open to visitors. Although the original chapel at the preceptory no longer stands above ground, its foundations have been discovered just south of the gardens. As with many Templar chapels, it is slightly misaligned from the traditional east–west orientation. The Templars also held the advowson (the right to appoint clergy) of the local parish church, All Saints in Cressing.
SUTTON
WITHAM -
Shortly after Queen Matilda granted the nearby preceptory at Cressing to the Knights Templar, her husband, King Stephen, gifted the Templars 1,400 acres at Witham—making it one of their largest landholdings in the country. The 1185 Templar inquest lists Cressing and Witham together, highlighting their close administrative connection. Unlike many of their other estates in England, the Templars at Witham were less focused on agriculture and more engaged in early urban development, planning and constructing a new manor settlement. They established a manor house on a prominent spur of land that had once been an Iron Age hill fort. This site later became known as Temple Farm, and in the modern day is occupied by Witham Railway Station, the railway line itself, and Grange Manor, which still sits atop the outlines of the ancient fort.
The Iron Age Hill fort Witham
The Site of Former Templars Manor at Witham
BRADWELL
ROCHFORD
CHINGFORD
FINCHINGFIELD
HANNINGFIELD
RIVENHALL
FOULNESS
HAVENGROVE ISLAND
TERLING
TEMPLAR FIGURES AT ESSEX
Knights Templar at Essex