ThTHE TEMPLARS

IN Northamptonshire

THE TEMPLARS IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

BRADDEN -

Bradden and the Knights Templar

The Knights Templar held the manor of Bradden, however very little of the estate or their time here is is known. 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.

HARPOLE -

HORNINGHOLD

OGERSTAN -

Hidden beneath the quiet fields and woodlands of Huntingdonshire lies the faint memory of a vanished medieval village — Ogerstan, or Ogerston, once the administrative heart of the Knights Templar estates in this region. Though its name has faded from maps and local memory, Ogerstan once stood at the crossroads of medieval piety, feudal power, and the Templars’ remarkable network of landholdings.

The Bailiwick’s Holdings

From Ogerstan, the Templar bailiff managed an impressive network of estates across Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire. Surviving records list the lands and tenancies held under its administration:

At Stivecle (Great Stukeley) – By gift of the King of Scotland, William held one bovate, one virgate, and four acres of meadow for ten shillings and customary service.
At Gedinges (Great and Little Gidding) – By gift of Warner Engaine, William held one toft and three acres for twelve pence.
At Winewic (Winwick) – By gift of William Cardun, Lefwin Claudus held one toft and three acres for eighteen pence; the local priest held one acre by gift of Geoffrey son of Suan.
At Clottone (Clopton) – By gift of William of Clotton, Robert and Richard held one virgate for six shillings.
At Trapestune (Thrapston) – By gift of Robert, Arnald held five acres and a toft for three shillings.
At Audewicle (Aldwinkle) – By gift of William de Musca, Ralph held one virgate for five shillings.
At Benigfeld (Benefield) – By gift of Fulk de Lisurs, the smith held three acres for three shillings.
At Pochebroc (Polebrook) – By gift of Robert the Knight, Robert of Grendon held one toft and three acres for twelve pence.
At Gendelaie (Yardley Hastings) – By gift of the King of Scotland, Roger of Angaie held two virgates for eighteen pence.
At Stupentune (Stibbington) – The same Roger held one virgate for twelve pence.
At Hauertune (Orton Waterville) – By gift of Ralph de Amundaville, Bartholomew held three virgates for six shillings.
At the other Hauertune (Orton Longueville) – By gift of Henry de Longaville, Richard held land (entry continued in later records).

Check Out our blog website for full information on the Knights Templar Bailiwick of Ogerstan, and their land holdings by clicking here

FINEDON - Church

HARDWICK - St Leonards Church

The 1185 report of the Knights Templars writes about St Leonards Church in Hardwick:

1164. Robert, by the grace of God, Bishop of Lincoln,

To all sons of the Holy Mother Church, greetings.

What is granted by devout and venerable religious persons to holy places, for the sake of eternal salvation, it is pious to confirm and strengthen, so that their memory is preserved more firmly.

Therefore, we, recognizing as valid the donation of Geoffrey of Sens which he made to the Knights of the Temple of Solomon (the Templars), namely the advowson (the right to appoint the priest) of the church of Hardwick, which he granted to them in perpetual alms, do confirm the said church with all its appurtenances to the same brothers of the Temple.

And by this present attestation, because this grant was made in our presence at Clarendon, we further confirm it, reserving the rights of the rector who at the time of this donation possessed the said church by right of incumbency.

[This means the bishop confirmed the donation but ensured that the current priest (rector) would not be displaced unjustly.]

Also, the rights of the Church of Lincoln shall remain untouched in the same [church] (blank in manuscript).

Witnesses:

Gilbert, Bishop of London
Robert, Archdeacon of Grenoble
Robert de Burnham
Brother Hosto [blank]

[Note: "Brother Hosto" is likely Osto of St. Omer, a known Templar who was at the Council of Clarendon in 1164.

GILSBOROUGH (Manor of Nortoft & Church)

RAVENSTHORPE - Church

SLIPTON - Manor & Church

The Knights Hospitallers held part of Slipton by the 13th century and acquired the advowson of the parish church in 1291, so they were landholders with ecclesiastical influence there.

By 1235 the Knights Hospitaller owned part of Slipton. The village had earlier been recorded in Domesday and the land was divided among local landholders; over time parcels passed to the Hospitallers.

The right to present the parish priest (advowson) for Slipton’s church (St John the Baptist) passed in the later medieval period. In 1291 Cirencester Abbey surrendered its advowson to the Hospital of St John in Northampton (i.e. the Hospitallers) in exchange for a small pension — so the Hospitallers had ecclesiastical influence in the village