| Summary : A preceptory of the Knights Templars was established at Bruer circa 1150 and richly endowed by a number of people, and an adjoining settlement was also created. A survey of Templars estates in 1185 gave a separate section to Bruer, treating it as a full manor; 37 tenants inhabiting 34 crofts were mentioned. There was also a weekly market. The preceptory passed to the Knights Hospitallers following supression of the Templars in 1312, becoming one of their richest houses; it was dissolved 1540-1. When Leland visited the site in 1538-9 he saw 'great and vaste Buildings, but an engraving of 1726 shows the ruins of the circular church. Today the only standing remains are a tower, formerly part of the church, local tradition recounting that Cromwell shelled the buildings during the Civil War. Excavations on the site were first conducted in 1833-4, and further work in 1908 revealed a walled precinct occupying most of the field to the west of the church, where building foundations have been encountered subsequently. Cropmarks of the precinct and buildings, together with the former settlement lying to the south east are visible on air photographs. A field system to the south west may be associated. |
More information : [TF 0085 5370] Preceptory [G.T.] (Remains of). (1)
The preceptory of Temple Bruer, one of the richest of the English
houses of the Knights Templars, was established some time before 1185
(foundation charter, c.1150), suppressed in 1312, and continued as a
Commandery of the Hospitallers until final dissolution in 1540-1.
All that remains is the tower (scheduled) which dates from the end of
the 12th c. and which stood on the south side of the former chancel.
The foundations of the adjacent, circular church, 50 ft in diameter,
were uncovered in 1908 between the tower and the line of low farm
buildings to the west [approx TF 0082 5370].
Foundations of other buildings have been seen in 1908, 1921 and
1958, in the field further to the west, [area TF 006 536]. (2-7)
Listed as a deserted medieval village by Beresford. (8)
The tower, with modern pitched roof, is in good condition (see
photograph).
Perambulation of the area surrounding Temple Farm proved negative
with regard to the deserted medieval village. The farmer states that
building debris has been seen whilst ploughing in the field to the
north-west, but this is now under crop and was not perambulated.
Inspection of OS and RAF air photographs proved negative. Air
photographs (c) not available locally. (9)
DMV correct NGR is TF 012 535: house platforms visible on AP. (10-11)
The stone foundations of a rectangular precinct, 200m by 150m,
containing several rectangular buildings was visible as cropmarks
and mapped from good quality air photographs, centred at
TF 0070 5369. These features lie to the west of the tower in the
area where building foundations were previously noted by
authorities 2-7 and probably form part of the preceptory.
(Morph No. LI.877.2.1-4)
The Medieval village settlement described by authorities 8-11 was
also visible as cropmarks. Bank defined enclosures, on average 100m
by 25m, were interpreted as crofts, centred at TF 0106 5339.
(Morph No, LI.877.1.1).
A embanked fieldsystem which lies to the SW of the preceptory and
village, may be associated with either of these sites and is
recorded in TF 05 SW 26.
This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database.
(12) |