The Knights Templar Devon is a group of individuals who have dedicated their lives to the protection of the people of Devon. Founded in 1184, the order has remained a symbol of strength and justice throughout the centuries. The members of the order are sworn to defend their fellow citizens and uphold the values of chivalry and honor. They are also committed to protecting churches, monasteries, and other religious sites in their region. The Knights Templar Devon is an active organization today, with an active presence throughout the region. The Knights Templar was an order of Christian knights founded in the 12th century to protect pilgrims on their travels to the holy land. The Order had a strong presence in Devon, England where they owned large estates and built several castles. One of their most significant properties was Torre Abbey in Torquay, which they founded in 1196. The Knights Templar also established a preceptory at Ashburton and a commandery at Buckfastleigh, both of which were important centres for the Order’s activities in Devon. During the 14th century, the Order’s influence began to decline due to various financial and political issues and by 1312 they had been disbanded by Pope Clement V. Despite this, traces of the Knights Templar can still be found throughout Devon today including several churches that have Templar symbols carved into their stone work.
Founding of the Knights Templar in Devon
The Knights Templar was a prominent religious and military order in the Middle Ages. Founded in 1118, it was originally based in Jerusalem and dedicated to protecting Christian pilgrims from marauding bandits. Over time, the order grew in power and prestige, eventually establishing a number of settlements throughout Europe. In 1185, they established a chapterhouse in Devon, England, which would become their main base of operations in the United Kingdom.
The site chosen for this chapterhouse was close to Exeter Castle, making it an ideal location for defence against attack. The Order was granted extensive lands by King Henry II, which it used to build a church and other buildings necessary for its activities. The Templar’s presence in Devon proved very popular with local people; they were welcomed with open arms and soon became an integral part of the community.
In 1217, King John granted the Order a charter that confirmed its rights to hold their lands and allowed them to collect rents from tenants. This enabled them to build up considerable wealth over time and gave them considerable influence within the region. The Knights Templar also enjoyed good relations with the local authorities; they acted as mediators between rival barons and even served as negotiators between England and France during times of conflict.
Devon remained an important centre for the Order until its dissolution by King Philip IV of France in 1312. After this time, many of their estates were seized by the Crown or sold off to private individuals, but traces of their presence can still be found today throughout Devon – particularly at their former chapterhouse near Exeter Castle.
Influence of the Knights Templar in Devon
The Knights Templar were a powerful and influential military order in the Middle Ages. During the time they existed, they had a significant presence in Devon, England. Through their donations and activities, they left a lasting legacy in the county.
The Knights Templar first arrived in Devon during the 12th century. The order was founded with the purpose of protecting pilgrims on their journeys to the Holy Land. As such, many of their activities were focused around providing security and support for travelers passing through Devon.
The Knights Templar also donated generously to various religious institutions throughout Devon. They supported churches and monasteries as well as schools and hospitals. These donations helped to promote education and healthcare in the area, as well as allowing religious structures to be built or expanded upon.
In addition to these donations, the Knights Templar also played a role in economic development in Devon. They owned large amounts of land throughout the county which they used for agriculture or leased out to tenants for additional revenue. They also had an important presence in local markets, which allowed them to influence prices and create new economic opportunities for people living in Devon.
Therefore, the Knights Templar had a major impact on local politics and governance in Devon during their time there. They became involved with government officials and noble families, helping them resolve disputes and maintain order throughout the region. This enabled them to influence decisions that would ultimately shape Devon’s history for centuries to come.
The Knights Templar left a lasting legacy in Devon upon their departure from England during the 14th century. Their contributions helped shape many aspects of life there, from religion and education to economics and politics. Their influence can still be felt today, making them an important part of Devonshire’s history.
Activities of the Knights Templar in Devon
The activities of the Knights Templar in Devon were varied and far-reaching. They were a religious and military order of monks who fought to protect pilgrims travelling to holy sites in Jerusalem during the Crusades. In Devon, they used their wealth to build churches, monasteries and castles. They also provided protection for local farmers and merchants, as well as maintaining law and order in the area.
The Knights Templar had a strong presence in Devon and were instrumental in the development of many towns and cities. They established churches, monasteries and castles across the county, such as Buckfast Abbey near Totnes and Tavistock Priory near Plymouth. They set up markets to help stimulate economic growth in rural areas, as well as providing protection for local farmers from bandits or other threats.
The Knights Templar also played an important role in promoting education throughout Devon. They established schools to teach reading, writing, arithmetic and other subjects to children from all social classes. Some of these schools still exist today, such as Buckland Abbey near Yelverton which is now a National Trust property open to visitors.
The Knights Templar also ran hospitals throughout Devon which provided medical care for people from all walks of life. These hospitals provided basic medical care such as bandaging wounds or treating illnesses but also offered more advanced treatments such as amputations or setting broken bones.
The activities of the Knights Templar have had a lasting impact on Devon’s history and culture. Their legacy can be seen today in the many churches, monasteries, castles and schools that they built across the county over 800 years ago.
Land Ownership by the Knights Templar in Devon
The Knights Templar were a powerful religious and military order active from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Founded during the Crusades, they were known for protecting pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem and were granted a vast amount of land throughout Europe. In Britain, they held significant amounts of land in Devon, where they were known as the ‘Knights of Devon’.
The Knights Templar had strong ties with local families in Devon and owned many manors and estates across the county. These included some of the major centres of power such as Exeter and Plympton. They also had holdings in smaller villages, such as Braunton, which is now a popular tourist destination.
The Knights Templar were generous with their landholdings and allowed local people to use parts of their estates for farming. They also provided financial support to local churches and monasteries, which helped them grow in popularity during this period.
The Knights Templar’s influence in Devon began to wane after their dissolution in 1312 by Pope Clement V. Many of their lands were taken over by local families who had been associated with them or other religious orders. However, traces of their ownership can still be seen throughout Devon today. For example, some manor houses have features that are believed to be inspired by the Templars’ own architecture and design.
Today, much of the land owned by the Knights Templar is still held privately or managed by public bodies such as English Heritage or National Trust. Some of it has been developed for residential or commercial use but much remains untouched – a reminder of an important period in Devon’s history when one powerful group held sway over vast swathes of land.
Building Projects Completed by the Knights Templar in Devon
The Knights Templar were a powerful and influential religious order in the Middle Ages. They were renowned for their charitable works and their building projects throughout Europe, and Devon was no exception. In Devon, the Knights Templar constructed a number of churches, chapels and monasteries that remain standing to this day. One of the most impressive examples is Buckfast Abbey, which was founded in 1018 and is now a Grade I listed building. Other notable examples include Tavistock Abbey, Buckland Monachorum Church and St. Mary Magdalene Church in Torbay.
The Knights Templar also built a number of castles throughout Devon. The most famous of these is Castle Drogo, which was built between 1910 and 1930 as a private residence for Julius Drewe. It is now owned by the National Trust and open to visitors. Other notable examples include Berry Pomeroy Castle, Okehampton Castle and Plympton Castle, all of which have been listed as Scheduled Ancient Monuments by Historic England.
In addition to these buildings, the Knights Templar also had a hand in constructing several bridges across Devon, such as Tarr Steps near Exmoor National Park and Postbridge on Dartmoor National Park. These bridges were used for centuries before being replaced with more modern structures in recent times.
The legacy of the Knights Templar remains strong in Devon today, particularly in terms of its architectural heritage. Their buildings continue to be admired for their beauty and historic significance, while their bridges are still used by locals and visitors alike. It’s clear that the legacy of the Knights Templar will continue to be felt in Devon for years to come.
The Relationship Between The Church and The Knights Templar in Devon
The relationship between the Church and the Knights Templar in Devon was an important part of medieval life. The Knights Templar was a religious military order founded in 1119, and was one of the most powerful and influential forces in medieval Europe. They were charged with protecting Christian pilgrims on their journey to the Holy Land, and as such had a close relationship with the Church. In Devon, this relationship was especially strong, as the Order had many properties there, including castles, manors, churches and other religious establishments.
The Knights Templar were given considerable support from the Church in Devon. The Church provided financial resources for their activities, granted them protection and patronage, and provided them with spiritual guidance. Additionally, they were allowed to use some of their local churches for worship and ceremonies. This close relationship between the Church and the Order helped to cement their influence in Devon.
The Knights Templar also had a strong impact on local life. In many towns they founded hospitals, monasteries and schools which provided important services to the community. They also supported local artisans by providing work opportunities, as well as contributing to local religious festivals. Furthermore, they helped to defend towns during times of war through their military prowess.
Overall, it is clear that there was a strong relationship between the Church and the Knights Templar in Devon during medieval times. This relationship enabled both parties to benefit from each other’s support while furthering their own causes; thus helping to shape medieval Devon into what it is today.
Decline of the Knights Templar in Devon
The Knights Templar was an influential Christian military order that was active in the Middle Ages. It grew in prominence during the Crusades, when its members were involved in many battles to protect Christian pilgrims travelling through hostile territory. In Devon, the Knights Templar had a strong presence, with many of their military orders based there. However, by the end of the 13th century, their influence had begun to decline.
The main reason for this decline was due to a series of events that occurred in 1291. This year marked the fall of Acre, which was the last Crusader stronghold in the Holy Land. With Acre fallen and its inhabitants expelled from their homes, many of the Knights Templar who had been fighting to protect pilgrims were forced to return to Europe. This meant that many of them ended up in Devon, where they took up residence and began to build new lives for themselves.
At first, these new arrivals were welcomed by local people and allowed them to set up farms and businesses. However, over time they became increasingly disliked by their neighbours due to their strict code of conduct and military tactics. This led to a number of conflicts between them and local villagers, which eventually resulted in their expulsion from Devon by King Edward I in 1307.
This was a major blow for the Knights Templar as it effectively ended their presence in Devon and meant that they could no longer use it as a base from which to launch attacks against enemies or defend pilgrims travelling through hostile territory. It also meant that they had lost much of their influence over local people and began to fade from memory over time.
From then onwards, the Knights Templar never regained their former prominence in Devon or elsewhere. They slowly faded into obscurity until eventually being disbanded entirely by Pope Clement V in 1312. Although small groups still exist today who claim descent from these ancient warriors, it is clear that their heyday is long gone and that they have been consigned to history books as an important but ultimately doomed chapter of medieval warfare.
Last Thoughts
The Knights Templar of Devon have made an indelible mark on the history of England and beyond. They were a religious order that provided both spiritual and military protection to pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. Their presence at many key battles, their innovative tactics and their wealth and influence all aided in establishing them as powerful force in the medieval world.
The Templars also had a lasting impact on Devon itself. Ancient sites such as their headquarters in Torre Abbey are now tourist attractions, while other sites such as the ruins of Buckfast Abbey hint at a forgotten period of history. The legacy of the Knights Templar lives on in Devon today, reminding us all of the importance of chivalry and faith in our modern world.
In reflection, we can see that the Knights Templar had a significant impact on both England and Devon during their time. Their legacy still influences us today, reminding us all of the power of faith and courage in times past.
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