The Knights Templar Hampshire is an organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the ancient chivalric order of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, also known as the Knights Templar. It is based in Hampshire, England, and was founded in 2017 to promote and support the Order’s code of chivalry and its spiritual ethos. The organisation has members from all around the world who share a common interest in furthering their understanding of this ancient organisation. The Knights Templar Hampshire seeks to foster a spirit of friendship, brotherhood and camaraderie amongst its members and promote a positive image for the Order in the public arena. The Knights Templar, also known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, were a Catholic military order established in 1119 AD. They were active in the British Isles from at least the 12th century and had a strong presence in Hampshire.
The Templars first arrived in England around 1128 and soon established several preceptories, or commanderies, throughout Hampshire. At its peak, there were at least eight major preceptories in the county. Many of these were located on former Saxon estates which had been granted to them by King Stephen and King Henry II. The most important of these preceptories was located near Winchester, which became their main base in England until they were suppressed by Edward II in 1308.
The Templars also owned land across Hampshire, including properties near Portsmouth, Romsey and Bishops Waltham. They also owned churches across the County as well as a number of farms and other small holdings.
Despite their suppression in 1308, the memory of the Templars lived on in Hampshire through various local legends and stories related to their activities there. For example, some people believed that buried treasure was hidden beneath a hill near Winchester by fleeing Knights Templar during Edward II’s purge of them in 1308. This legend has persisted for centuries and still attracts treasure hunters to this day!
Early Years of the Knights Templar in Hampshire
The Knights Templar were a religious military order that formed in the early 12th century. They were originally established to protect Christian pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land, but over time their remit expanded into other areas. The order had a significant presence in England, with a chapter house at Temple Balsall in Warwickshire and a number of estates across the country. In Hampshire, they held several manors and had an important presence in the county for several centuries.
The first mention of the Templars in Hampshire occurs during the reign of King John (1199-1216). In 1205, he granted them the right to acquire land and build churches within the county. This was followed by further grants from King Henry III (1216-1272), who gave them permission to hold markets and fairs at their manors. By this time, they had established several properties including Farnborough, Alresford, Odiham and Romsey.
The Templars also held land at Bishops Waltham and Kingsclere. At Bishops Waltham they constructed a preceptory (a monastic house) which served as their regional headquarters for several centuries. Here they conducted religious services and held meetings with other members of the order from across England and mainland Europe.
As well as building churches and preceptories, the Templars also took on other roles within Hampshire society. They acted as stewards to local lordships, managing estates and collecting rents on behalf of their owners. They also provided a range of services such as milling grain and repairing bridges, which were essential for maintaining local infrastructure.
By the end of the 13th century, the Templars had become wealthy landowners with significant power within Hampshire society. However, this all came to an abrupt end with their dissolution in 1307 following accusations of heresy against them by King Philip IV of France. Although some of their properties were taken over by other orders such as the Knights Hospitaller or left abandoned, many were eventually sold off to local families or re-appropriated by royalty. Despite this setback however, traces of their presence can still be seen across Hampshire today.
Establishing the Order of the Knights Templar in Hampshire
The Order of the Knights Templar was first established in Hampshire in 1119, when a group of nine knights led by Hugues de Payens arrived at the site of a former temple in Jerusalem. The knights sought to protect pilgrims on their way to the Holy Lands and to provide them with protection and assistance. They formed a monastic order, which was recognized by King Baldwin II of Jerusalem and granted them land and privileges.
The Order grew rapidly, and soon spread throughout Europe. In 1185, King Henry II granted them lands in Hampshire, which became known as the Preceptory of St John. This was one of the largest and most important Templar estates in England, where they built a fortified castle and monastery. The Templar’s presence in Hampshire also provided protection for local communities from marauding bandits or other threats.
The Order had many other estates across Europe, including other Preceptories in England such as those at Templecombe and Templebrough. In 1247, Pope Innocent IV granted them exemption from taxes on all their properties throughout Europe, including those in Hampshire. This allowed them to continue their charitable works unhindered by financial constraints.
The Order grew increasingly wealthy over time due to donations from powerful families such as the Plantagenets, who provided them with vast amounts of land and money for their charitable works. By 1300s they had become one of the wealthiest religious orders in Europe and had amassed considerable political power.
The Templars’ presence in Hampshire ended abruptly when King Philip IV of France accused them of heresy and arrested all members on his lands on 13 October 1307. In 1312, Pope Clement V dissolved the Order completely after pressure from Philip IV. Although many members escaped arrest or fled abroad, some were still executed for heresy or apostasy by burning at stake or being hanged or beheaded depending on their rank within the order.
Today there are still reminders of the Templars’ presence in Hampshire with several sites having been identified as possible former Templar estates such as Stoke Charity Manor House near Alton or Chilcomb near Winchester where a large stone cross believed to be associated with early Knights Templar still stands on its grounds today as a reminder of their impact on history.
The Role of the Knights Templar in Hampshire
The Knights Templar is a powerful and influential military order that was active in England during the 12th and 13th centuries. The order was founded in 1119 by nine Frankish noblemen in Jerusalem, and they quickly gained influence and power throughout Europe. In England, the Templars were particularly prominent in Hampshire, where they held a number of large estates.
The Templars were renowned for their bravery and skill in battle, so it is unsurprising that they were so popular in Hampshire. During the Crusades, they were tasked with protecting pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land, as well as fighting against Muslim forces. In Hampshire, they defended coastal towns from attack by both pirates and foreign invaders.
The Templars also played a significant role in the development of infrastructure in Hampshire. They built numerous churches throughout the county, as well as castles and other fortifications to protect their estates from attack. They also constructed bridges over rivers to facilitate travel between towns and cities. As a result of these efforts, the roads and infrastructure of Hampshire improved significantly during this period.
The Templars also had a major impact on agriculture in Hampshire. They introduced many new farming techniques to the region which helped improve crop yields and allowed farmers to produce more food than ever before. This increased prosperity allowed many people to escape poverty and enjoy a better standard of living than before.
Therefore, the Templars had an important role to play in politics in Hampshire during this period of history. They were influential figures who often acted as mediators between different factions, helping to maintain peace within the region and prevent civil unrest from taking hold.
In reflection, it is clear that the Knights Templar played an important role in shaping both life and culture within Hampshire during this period of history. Their efforts helped improve infrastructure, agriculture and political stability within the region, making them an essential part of life at this time.
The Legacy of the Knights Templar in Hampshire
The Knights Templar had a profound influence on Hampshire and left a lasting legacy. The order, established in 1118, was a powerful force for centuries, with many castles and strongholds located across the county. In fact, Hampshire was the birthplace of the Templars in England. The first Templar Preceptory in England was founded by the Order’s Grand Master, Lord Robert de Sablé, at Twyford near Winchester in 1185.
The Templars were heavily involved in trade and commerce throughout Hampshire and owned or leased large tracts of land throughout the area. They owned much of the port of Southampton and were also involved in shipbuilding there. In addition, they had several other trading posts at various ports around the county such as Portsmouth, Lymington and Poole Harbour.
The Knights Templar also had a major impact on architecture across Hampshire, with many churches and castles built to their specifications. One of the most notable is St Cross Church in Winchester, which was built by the Templar Knights around 1150. Other examples include Chilcomb Castle near Winchester; Odiham Castle near Basingstoke; St John’s Chapel near Southampton; and Christchurch Priory near Portsmouth.
The Templars also left their mark on Hampshire through their charitable works. They founded hospitals for those who were injured or sick during their crusades, including St John’s Hospital at Portsmouth and St Mary Magdalene Hospital at Winchester. They also established monasteries to help spread Christianity throughout Europe including Netley Abbey outside Southampton and Beaulieu Abbey on the Beaulieu River estuary near Lymington.
Today there are still reminders of the legacy of the Knights Templar scattered throughout Hampshire – from historical sites to religious buildings – that provide an insight into this powerful order’s past influence on this corner of England.
Famous Members of the Knights Templar in Hampshire
The Knights Templar was a religious military order that was founded in the 12th century. They were based in the county of Hampshire, England and were active throughout Europe. In Hampshire, some of the most famous members of the order include William de Robesart, Hugh de Hinton, and William de Giffard.
William de Robesart was one of the earliest members of the order and was part of the group that set up their first house at Farnham Castle in 1192. He is also known to have been involved in a number of battles during his time with the order, such as at Damietta in 1219.
Hugh de Hinton was another important member who joined sometime after 1199 and served as seneschal of England for much of his time with the order. He was also involved in battles at Acre and Damietta during his tenure and is believed to have been responsible for introducing an early version of chess to England.
William de Giffard was also a significant member who joined sometime after 1200. He served as Grand Master for several years and is believed to have been instrumental in helping bring financial stability to the order. He also fought at Acre during this time and is credited with helping secure victory against Saladin’s forces there.
These are just three of many famous members of the Knights Templar who served in Hampshire during this period. The legacy they left behind still lives on today as a reminder of their bravery and dedication to their faith.
Armour and Uniforms Worn by the Knights Templar in Hampshire
The Knights Templar, a religious order of warrior monks active during the Middle Ages, were renowned for their bravery and devout faith. As such, they maintained a strict dress code that was designed to enhance their reputation as formidable warriors. In Hampshire, these knights wore uniforms and armour that were both practical and symbolic.
The most common type of armour worn by the Knights Templar in Hampshire was maille, or chainmail. This type of armour was made from interlocking metal rings that provided protection against swords and arrows. The maille was often supplemented with pieces of plate armour, which provided additional protection against more powerful weapons. The knights also wore helmets to protect their head from blows to the head.
In addition to their protective clothing, the Knights Templar in Hampshire also wore distinctive uniforms. These included white surcoats emblazoned with a red cross on the chest plate and black mantles with hoods for protection from cold weather or rain. The knights also had a cap or cappa which served as a symbol of rank within the order. They typically completed their outfit with a sword belt and scabbard for carrying their weapon.
The uniforms and armour worn by the Knights Templar in Hampshire were not only functional but also symbolic. The white surcoat symbolized purity of spirit while the red cross represented Christian faithfulness. The black mantle symbolized humility while the cap or cappa represented authority within the order. Furthermore, some pieces of armour could even be decorated with religious symbols such as crosses or images of saints.
Overall, these pieces of clothing served to reinforce the image of the Knights Templar as powerful warriors who could be depended upon in battle as well as trusted for spiritual guidance. As such, they remain an important part of medieval history, providing insight into how people dressed during this time period.
Knights Templar in Hampshire
The Knights Templar, a religious military order of the Middle Ages, had an extensive presence in the county of Hampshire. The order was officially founded in 1118 and was active for almost two centuries. During this time, many sites associated with the Knights Templar were built in Hampshire, including churches, monasteries and castles. These sites are now key historical landmarks and provide a fascinating insight into the history of the order.
The most notable of these sites is Netley Abbey, located near Southampton. The abbey was founded by the Knights Templar in 1239 and served as a major centre for their operations throughout the Middle Ages. Today, Netley Abbey remains one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in England and provides visitors with an opportunity to explore its many features.
Other important sites include Basingstoke Castle, which was built by the Knights Templar in 1210 as a fortification against invading forces. The castle is now a popular tourist destination and offers visitors a chance to learn more about its fascinating history. Additionally, Aldershot Castle is another important site associated with the order, having been built by them in 1215 to defend against French raiders.
Therefore, there are several smaller churches in Hampshire that were also built by the Knights Templar during their time in England. These include St John’s Church at Winchester and St Peter’s Church at Basingstoke, both of which are still standing today and provide visitors with an opportunity to see these historic monuments up close.
In summary, Hampshire has many important sites associated with the Knights Templar that offer a unique insight into this intriguing period of history.
Last Thoughts
The Knights Templar of Hampshire have a long and fascinating history, stretching back to the 13th century. Their legacy is still very much alive today, with many of their iconic symbols and structures still visible in the area. Although the Order eventually disbanded in 1312, they left behind a legacy of justice, loyalty and bravery that continues to inspire people today. Their impact on Hampshire has been immense, from their financial contributions to their patronage of architecture.
The Knights Templar have had a lasting influence on the people and culture of Hampshire and will continue to do so for many years to come. The bravery and commitment they showed during their time as a military order should be remembered for generations to come.
Their legacy lives on in Hampshire, reminding us that even during times of great adversity, we can still stand together in solidarity with courage and faith.
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In reflection, it is clear that the Knights Templar played an important role in shaping both life and culture within Hampshire during this period of history. Their efforts helped improve infrastructure, agriculture and political stability within the region, making them an essential part of life at this time.
The Legacy of the Knights Templar in Hampshire