Summary : Preceptory of Knights Templar's built in the reign of Stephen, suppressed 1312, and made over to the Knights Hospitallers in 1322, who held it until the Dissolution. From 1371, it was one of the camerae of the Prior of all England. The surviving building dates from the second quarter of the 14th century with latter additions and alterations. It is timber framed 3-bay aisled hall with a 15th century west cross wing, the building was encased in brick in the 19th century. The roof is tiled, the shaft of the 16th century stone chimney stack has been rebuilt in red brick. Other buildings were demolished in 1739. The remains also include fishponds. The site is scheduled and the surviving building is listed. |
More information : (SP 20667596) Templar's Hall (LB) (1)
House of Knights Templars Fd.T.Stephen Diss. 1308-12. House of KnightsHospitallers F.1322. Diss. 1496;1540. (2) In the mid 12c. Balsall became the site of a preceptory of Knights Templars. On the suppression of the Templars in 1308 it reverted to John Mowbray until 1322 after which it was made over to the Knights Hospitallers who held it until the Dissolution. The remains of the Preceptory or Commandery stand west of Temple Balsall ch., it is now divided into tenements with an aisled 13c/14c hall with 15c additions. Suggested as being formerly moated with fishponds. (3,4) The building is still occupied and in good condition. The topographical situation of the hall is not suitable for a moat. (5) In 1739 nearly all the Preceptory buildings that had survived were pulled down, except for part of the old hall and the parlour adjoining. They are thought to survive under the modern brick of the cottages west of the church. (6) Apart from some stonework at the base and a stone chimney the building at SP 20667596 has a modern exterior.
At SP 20627605 a marshy depression with straight sides about 100.0m long, about 15.0m wide and 0.2m deep may represent the site of silted fishponds. (7) 1. 5108 BALSALL TEMPLE BALSALL Templars Hall SP 27 NW 11/156 11.11.52. II* GV 2. C13 or C14 timber framed 3 bay aisled hall, C15 west cross wing. All encased in C19 red brick. Tiled roof with C16 stone chimneystack, rebuilt red brick shaft, 1 storey and attics, 2 storeys on west. Leaded casements and gabled dormers. Interior: west wing lower chamber timbered ceiling with carved heraldic bosses; upper chamber has 2 roof trusses, one with carved braces, king and queen posts, one with pointed arches formed by curved wind braces supporting purlins. Ground floor fluted oak pilasters flank C17 moulded chimneypiece, 1st floor C16 moulded stone fireplace. Originally either a bailiff's house or the Preceptory or Commandery of the Knights. VCH, IV, pp 86-7. (8)
Scheduled. (9)
Detailed account of the structural survey of the hall. Original aisled hall pre-1250, 14th century and later alterations and additions. (10)
Note on a group of post-Mediaeval pottery vessels of 1650-1750 found during the excavation of a cellar. (11)
Full report on the excavation of the cellar, which was cut through the remains of a Neolithic settlement represented by pits, stake and post holes, plus a large flint assemblage. Mediaval features, including a possible boundary ditch of possible 13th century date, were preserved. (12)
Detailed report on post-Mediaeval objects found during the cellar excavations. (13) |