THE TEMPLARS

Deep in Warwickshire lies Temple Balsall - and the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Built on the site of the Formery Warwickshire Preceptory of Temple Balsall, the headquarters for the Templars in Warwick,

What remains of the original timber framed hall survives to this date - next to the Church - within a rebrick shell.

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The manor of Temple Balsall was given to the Templars some time in the 1160's, by their long time and genrous supporter Roger de Mowbray.

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The Templars were also gifted lands in Other parts of Warwickshire,  by other donors at Cubbington, Harbury, Tysoe, Wolvey, Studley, Warwick, Chilverscoton, Sherbourne, Fletchhampstead, Temple Herdewicke,  with Temple Balsall becoming the Preceptory (HQ) for all of these, and controlled day to day farming activities - (sheep were directed from Studley to Harbury to be fattened, all cider apples were brought to the Press at Balsall, stock breeding was undertaken here, and new animal stock sent out to other Manors in the area)

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There were nineteen full time labourers (not member of the order) on the farm at the Preceptory, including two foresters, a dairyman, miller, stud herd, ploughmen and and stockmen. Three Chaplains and a deacon said daily mass in the chapel, and six pensioners who had board and lodging there in return for their faithful service to the order.

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The Churches date of 1190 makes it likley one of the last construted before their suppression

In common with many other Templar churches and chapels it is slightly aligned to the North of East.

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The Hospitallers managed to obtain the Preceptory of Balsall around 1322, as it had been seized by John De Mowbray before this, a descendant of the original donor, and remained in their hands until their dissolution in 1540, after which Henry VIII gave the lands to his last wife Catherine Parr.

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We have records of the folling Templars being present at Balsall

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Amoldon (Hameldon) (Robert of) - arrested in January 1308, penance at the priory of Monkton Valley

John of Wirkeleye (Wakeley or Wakerley) - Templar for only two years, Balsall Templar, arrested in January 1308, sent in penance to the diocese of St Davids

John Wergrave - Templar at Balsall, arrested in January 1308, sent in penance to the Diocese of Worcester

Robert of Amoldon (Hameldon) - 20 Years service to the order, Tnight-time Knight in Balsall, arrested in January 1308, penance at the priory of Monkton Valley

Scurlagge (William) - Chevalier in Balsall, arrested in January 1308, his coat was in Newtemple, London, died some time after his arrest

William of Winchester (Winton) - Been in ghe order for 26 years, Prior to Balsall, arrested in January 1308, penitence in the diocese of Norwich

Henry De Buckston - Serving brother not a knight - Possibly Precdptor in 1338

Simon Dyseny - Knight

John de Sprottelee - Serving brother not a knight

Thomas of Walkington - Commander of Balsall and Rothley, arrested in January 1308, Sent in penitence in the Diocese of Coventry and Lichfield

Thomas de Lynlee - Chaplain

Robert Mallory - preceptor of Balsall and Grafton - 1433

John Beaufitz -  farmer of the Hospitallers at Balsall, and resided there - Possibly after the Position of Preceptor had left Balsall to reside at Temple Grafton - Died 1488. His son in law Robert Bellingham seems to have taken over the Lease afterwards

John Langstrother - Hospitallers Preceptor 1470 - (Possibly also at Temple Grafton?) - Beheaded by Edward IV, Possibly Buried at Church of St John's Clerkenwell (The Hospitaller HQ in London)

John de Coningeston - Possibly dated 1275? Reamined at the Preceptory until 1311

William De Warewyk (Chaplin) - Possibly also linked to Sandford

William de Burton - Possibly also Commander de Combe

Robert de Sautre - Possibly also linked to Tempe Ewell

John de Euleye -

Roger de Dalton - Possibly also at Denny Abbey

John of Stoke - 1294 - Also possibly at Garway / Dinmore

John Weston  - Knights Hospitaller Commander of Balsall / Grand Prior of the Order 1476-1489 (Uncle of Sir William Weston the last Grand Prior of the Knights Hospitaller before their dissolution

Robert Throckmorton - Knights Hospitaller - 1496

John de Weregrave - 20 Years service to the Order

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