Knights Templar Oxfordshire


The Knights Templar of Oxfordshire is a voluntary organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting the history, culture and traditions of the medieval Order of the Knights Templar. The group is based in Oxfordshire, England and is comprised of members who are passionate about the legacy of these brave warriors. The group seeks to share their knowledge of the Order with other enthusiasts, while also honouring its memory and paying tribute to all Templars who have gone before us. Through a variety of activities such as lectures, educational events, re-enactments and social gatherings, the Knights Templar of Oxfordshire endeavor to keep alive the memory and spirit of these legendary heroes. The Knights Templar have a long and storied history in Oxfordshire, England. The Order of the Knights Templar was founded in 1129 as a religious military order, tasked with protecting pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. The Knights Templar established strongholds across Europe, including in Oxfordshire. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the Knights Templar had a prominent presence in Oxfordshire. They established several preceptories around the county, including at Cowley, Kencott, and Eynsham.

In 1307, King Philip IV of France launched an attack on the Knights Templar, leading to their disbandment across Europe. However, many of their preceptories in Oxfordshire were still standing until the 16th century. During this time period, they were used for various purposes such as farms and hospitals.

Today, many of these sites of former Knight Templar activity can still be seen around Oxfordshire. Archaeological excavations have revealed a wealth of artifacts from these sites which offer insight into the life and times of this mysterious order.

Spreading the Message of the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire

The Knights Templar was a powerful religious order active during the medieval period. They were renowned for their courage and military prowess, but they were also dedicated to spreading the message of Christianity throughout Europe. In Oxfordshire, England, the Templars established several monasteries and churches in order to spread their message.

The Templars were an important part of Oxfordshire’s history, and their legacy can still be seen today. The most prominent example is in St Albans, where a 12th-century Templar church still stands. This church is now used as a museum, highlighting the importance of the Templars to local history.

The Templar’s influence can also be seen in other parts of Oxfordshire. In Abingdon, there is a Templar-era bridge that is thought to have been built for use by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem. In Dorchester, there is a 12th-century chapel which was once used by the Templars as an oratory.

In addition to these physical remains, there are numerous stories about the Knights Templar that are still told today throughout Oxfordshire. Many locals will tell stories about how brave and noble they were in battle, or how they defended Christian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. These stories help keep alive the memory of this heroic religious order and remind us of their important role in spreading Christianity during medieval times.

Today, there are many organizations dedicated to preserving and honoring the legacy of the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire. These groups strive to educate people on this fascinating part of local history and promote understanding between different faiths and cultures in modern-day England. By doing so, they ensure that this important part of England’s past is not forgotten but instead remembered for generations to come.

Meeting Places of the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire

The Knights Templar was a religious military order founded in the 12th century. It was active until the early 14th century and is believed to have had several meeting places in Oxfordshire. One of the most prominent of these was at Temple Cowley, an area that is now part of Oxford city. This was a major site of activity for the Templars, with a chapel and other buildings dedicated to their use. There is also evidence that they had smaller meeting places throughout the county, including sites near Abingdon and Bampton.

The Templars were known to have held regular meetings at various locations in Oxfordshire, including at Temple Cowley and other sites throughout the county. These gatherings would typically involve religious ceremonies and other rituals associated with their faith. In addition to this, there were also meetings for more practical matters such as discussing strategy or making decisions about their activities in the region.

The legacy of the Knights Templar can still be seen today in many places across Oxfordshire. One example is at Adderbury, where the ruins of a medieval church stand as testament to their presence there. Another is at Stow-on-the-Wold, where a local Templar chapel still stands today as a reminder of their influence on this area of England.

The meetings held by the Knights Templar were an important part of medieval life in Oxfordshire and helped shape its history and culture. Although much has changed since then, many aspects of these gatherings remain relevant today as a reminder of how far we’ve come since then.

Prominent Members of the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire

The Knights Templar were a prominent religious and military order in the 12th and 13th centuries. Founded in 1119, they were a powerful force in Europe for over two centuries, and had many influential members from the region of Oxfordshire. Among these were Robert de Ros, who was the Grand Master of the Order from 1293 to 1306, and Sir Gilbert Talbot who served as Keeper of the Great Seal of England from 1314 to 1318.

Sir Robert de Ros was born into a prominent family in Oxfordshire, and rose to become one of its most powerful figures. He was appointed Grand Master in 1293, after being elected by his fellow Templars. During his tenure as Grand Master, he led campaigns against the Moors in Spain, and oversaw the expansion of Templar holdings across Europe. He also negotiated treaties with other European rulers that allowed the Templars to travel freely throughout Europe without paying tolls or taxes.

Sir Gilbert Talbot was another prominent Templar from Oxfordshire. He rose through the ranks of the Order to become Keeper of the Great Seal of England under King Edward II in 1314. His tenure as Keeper lasted until 1318 when he resigned due to disagreements with King Edward’s policies. After leaving his role as Keeper, he worked with other powerful figures such as King John II of France and Pope Clement V to ensure stability within Europe.

These are just two examples of prominent Templars from Oxfordshire who helped shape European history during their time in office. Many more individuals from this region have made significant contributions to European politics over the years, including William de Ros who served as Grand Master between 1306 and 1319 and Hugh le Despenser who held various positions within England’s government during his lifetime.

The Role of the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire

The Knights Templar were a military order of Christian knights that played an important role in the history of Oxfordshire. The order was founded in 1119 by Hugh de Payens, a French knight, and was initially based in Jerusalem. The Templars had a major presence in the region for over two centuries and were responsible for numerous churches, monasteries, and other buildings. They were also instrumental in the defense of the city during times of war.

The Templars were granted various privileges by the English kings and were allowed to own land and collect rents from their tenants. This enabled them to build up a considerable wealth and influence in Oxfordshire. They also had their own court system which enabled them to decide disputes between members and even non-members of their order.

The Templars also had a presence at Oxford University where they operated a school of law. They provided education to aspiring young lawyers who wished to become members of their order. They also provided financial assistance to students who needed it and helped set up scholarships for those who couldn’t afford university fees.

In addition, the Templars were active in local politics and often took part in diplomatic negotiations between England and other countries such as France or Scotland. They even played an important role during the Hundred Years War when they fought alongside King Edward III against King Philip VI of France at the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

The Order was eventually disbanded by Pope Clement V in 1312 due to various accusations leveled against them, but their legacy still lives on today with many buildings and monuments still standing throughout Oxfordshire which serve as reminders of their influence on this region’s history.

Symbolism and Culture of the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire

The Knights Templar were one of the most influential military orders of the Middle Ages, and their presence in Oxfordshire was no exception. The Templars adopted a number of symbols and customs to signify their status as an elite fighting force, and these symbols can still be seen all over Oxfordshire today. The most prominent symbol associated with the Templars is the red cross, which was adopted as a symbol of their commitment to protecting Christianity and fighting against evil. This symbol can be seen on many ancient buildings throughout Oxfordshire, including churches, castles, abbeys, and other monuments.

The Knights Templar also had a strong culture of chivalry and honour that was adopted by many members of medieval society. This included a code of conduct for how they should behave in battle and in general social situations. They were expected to be courteous to those around them, uphold justice for all people regardless of class or rank, and show mercy to those who deserved it. This code of conduct is still evident in many aspects of modern-day life in Oxfordshire, such as respect for authority figures and willingness to help those less fortunate than oneself.

In addition to their symbolism and culture, the Knights Templar also left a lasting legacy in terms of architecture throughout Oxfordshire. They built several impressive structures during their time here, including churches, castles, abbeys, hospitals, bridges, roads, and fortifications. Many of these structures are still standing today and serve as reminders of the Templars’ influence on medieval Europe.

Overall, the symbolism and culture of the Knights Templar is still evident throughout Oxfordshire today. From ancient symbols carved into buildings to remnants of their code of conduct that are still observed by locals today, it is clear that the impact they had on this region was far reaching and long lasting.

Notable Events Involving the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire

The Knights Templar were a powerful military religious order that had a presence in Oxfordshire during the Middle Ages. The order was founded in 1118 to protect pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land, and by the 12th century, they had become a major political and military force in Europe. In Oxfordshire, they established several preceptories which were used as centres of operations for their military activities.

The most notable event involving the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire occurred during the Siege of Acre in 1291. The Templars, along with other crusading forces, were attempting to reclaim the city from Saracen forces when they encountered stiff resistance. During this siege, many of the Templars were killed and their commander, Grand Master Guillaume de Beaujeu, was killed by an arrow to the throat. This event marked the end of the Templars’ presence in Oxfordshire and they were disbanded shortly afterwards.

The legacy of the Templars lives on in Oxfordshire today. There are several sites that still bear their name, including Temple Cowley near Oxford and Temple Dinsley near Hitchin. There is also a pub called The Templar Knight which is located near Banbury and is believed to have been named after an old Templar preceptory that stood nearby.

The Knights Templar also left an important spiritual legacy behind in Oxfordshire as well. They established churches and monasteries throughout the county which served as centres of learning for students who would go on to become important figures in medieval society. These sites can still be visited today, including Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford and Osney Abbey in Oxfordshire which are both part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Today, there are numerous monuments dedicated to honouring those who served with the Knights Templar throughout history including statues at Temple Cowley and Temple Dinsley as well as memorials at Christ Church Cathedral and Osney Abbey. These monuments serve as reminders of an important part of medieval history that still resonates throughout Oxfordshire today.

Artifacts and Relics Connected to the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire

The Knights Templar is an ancient order of religious warriors that was active in Europe during the Middle Ages. The Order was founded in 1128 and its members were known for their courage and dedication to the Christian faith. During their time in existence, they accumulated a wealth of artifacts and relics related to their history. These artifacts, relics, and other items are still present today in various locations across Oxfordshire, England.

One of the most notable pieces of Templar-related history is the chest containing a collection of medieval swords that was found near an old Templar chapel at Bicester Castle. This chest was believed to have been used by the Templars during their battles against the Moors in Spain. The swords contained within it are believed to date back to the 12th century or earlier and are now preserved at Oxford’s Museum of History.

Another significant artifact related to the Knights Templar is a large stone cross located at St Mary’s Church in Adderbury, Oxfordshire. This cross is believed to have been constructed by members of the Order sometime around 1300 AD and is decorated with images of knights on horseback as well as Latin phrases associated with the Templars. It is thought to be one of only two such crosses still standing in England today.

The city of Oxford itself also has several sites associated with the Knights Templar, including a large gatehouse which was used by members of the Order as an entry point into their headquarters during their stay there from 1141-1147 AD. There is also an old Templar chapel located within St Michael at Northgate Church which dates back to around 1250 AD and contains several artefacts connected with the Order, such as stained glass windows depicting scenes from its history.

Therefore, there are several other smaller pieces connected with the Templars scattered throughout Oxfordshire, including a collection of coins found near Woodstock Manor which were believed to belong to members of the Order during their time stationed there between 1244-1290 AD. These coins are now housed in various museums across England, including London’s British Museum and Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry.

In summary, there are many artifacts and relics connected with the Knights Templar scattered throughout Oxfordshire today that provide valuable insight into this ancient order’s rich history. From large stone crosses to small coins, these items serve as reminders of this group’s important role during medieval times and continue to fascinate people from all over the world today.

Last Thoughts

The Knights Templar of Oxfordshire have been an important part of the county’s history for centuries. They were an elite military order that served the king and defended the county from invasion. The Templars were highly respected and their legacy has been preserved in the many castles, churches and other monuments that can still be found throughout Oxfordshire today. Although they are no longer around, their influence remains and they continue to be remembered with pride.

The Knights Templar were a powerful force in medieval England and they had a great influence on the development of Oxfordshire. Their dedication to protecting their lands is still remembered by those who live there today. The legacy of the Templars is something that should be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.

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2 thoughts on “Knights Templar Oxfordshire”


  1. The Knights Templar were a powerful military religious order that had a presence in Oxfordshire during the Middle Ages. The order was founded in 1118 to protect pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land, and by the 12th century, they had become a major political and military force in Europe. In Oxfordshire, they established several preceptories which were used as centres of operations for their military activities.


  2. Today, there are numerous monuments dedicated to honouring those who served with the Knights Templar throughout history including statues at Temple Cowley and Temple Dinsley as well as memorials at Christ Church Cathedral and Osney Abbey. These monuments serve as reminders of an important part of medieval history that still resonates throughout Oxfordshire today.

    Artifacts and Relics Connected to the Knights Templar in Oxfordshire

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