Torphichen Preceptory: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 21:25, 2 June 2010 editUnoquha (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users72,665 edits reflist etc/ removed doubtful lines about order suppressed in 1554 & idea about land transfer/ two sections← Previous edit		Revision as of 19:36, 4 June 2010 edit undoUnoquha (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users72,665 editsm refNext edit →
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	The ], established during the ]s, were invited to Scotland in 1132 by ]. After the suppression of the ] in 1312, their lands were transferred to the ]. Torphichen was one of only two major Hospitaller sites in Britain, the other being the ] in ], and benefited greatly from this transfer of land.<ref>Cowan, Mackay, Macquarrie ed. (1983), 1-40, Rental list of the lands in 1540.</ref>		The ], established during the ]s, were invited to Scotland in 1132 by ]. After the suppression of the ] in 1312, their lands were transferred to the ]. Torphichen was one of only two major Hospitaller sites in Britain, the other being the ] in ], and benefited greatly from this transfer of land.<ref>Cowan, Mackay, Macquarrie ed. (1983), 1-40, Rental list of the lands in 1540.</ref>

	In 1298, during the Battle of Falkirk, Alexander de Welles, Master of Torphichen Preceptory, was killed. Based on the heraldic evidence there is very little doubt that Alexander de Welles was a member of the Lincolnshire Welle(s) family. Also at Falkirk were Adam de Welle(s) of Lincolnshire<ref>~~Adam~~ de ~~Welle~~(s) of ~~the~~ ~~Castle~~ of Yester in Lothian to whom King Edward gave various properties - NAS ref ~~No:~~ GD45/27/141</ref> and Philip de Welle(s).<ref>Cowan, Mackay, Macquarrie ed. (1983), xxix, 193; citing ''Calendar Documents Scotland'', vol. ii (1881), no. 508, 823.</ref>		In 1298, during the Battle of Falkirk, Alexander de Welles, Master of Torphichen Preceptory, was killed. Based on the heraldic evidence there is very little doubt that Alexander de Welles was a member of the Lincolnshire Welle(s) family. Also at Falkirk were Adam de Welle(s) of Lincolnshire<ref>''Calendar Documents Scotland'', vol. v, SRO (n. d. 197-), 175, no. 305, November 1302, Sir Adam de Welle at Yester Castle in Lothian, to whom King Edward gave various properties - NAS ref no. GD45/27/141</ref> and Philip de Welle(s).<ref>Cowan, Mackay, Macquarrie ed. (1983), xxix, 193; citing ''Calendar Documents Scotland'', vol. ii (1881), no. 508, 823.</ref>
	]		]
	] held his last ] here, prior to the ] in 1298. The only surviving document signed by Wallace was prepared here. After the battle, Edward Longshanks (]) was brought to the Preceptory for treatment of the injuries caused when his horse stood on him, whilst he was encamped at ] before the battle. The Hospitallers fought on the English side during the ], and withdrew after the Scots victory at ], returning during the rule of ].		] held his last ] here, prior to the ] in 1298. The only surviving document signed by Wallace was prepared here. After the battle, Edward Longshanks (]) was brought to the Preceptory for treatment of the injuries caused when his horse stood on him, whilst he was encamped at ] before the battle. The Hospitallers fought on the English side during the ], and withdrew after the Scots victory at ], returning during the rule of ].

Revision as of 19:36, 4 June 2010

Torphichen Preceptory, is a church in the village of Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland. It comprises the remains of the Preceptory (headquarters) of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland.

The Preceptory

The Preceptory was built in the 1140s around an existing church, possibly of early Christian origin. During the 13th Century the Preceptory was expanded, and the buildings which still stand were first erected. The complex included a cruciform church, with a nave, central tower, transepts and choir, whose tower and transepts remain, and a number of domestic buildings including a hospital. The church was extended again in the 15th Century, and a cloister completed, of which only the foundations remain. Very unusually, this was situated on the north side of the church (a feature seen elsewhere in Scotland only at Melrose Abbey).

After the Reformation, the nave of the Preceptory church was converted for use as the parish kirk, with the rest of the buildings falliing into disrepair. Nevertheless, the surviving crossing of the church (below the central tower) retains some of the best-preserved late 12th-early 13th century masonry in Scotland, with refined architectural detail. In 1756 the nave and domestic buildings were demolished, and a new T-plan kirk built. The kirk is furnished with early 19th Century box pews and galleries. The remnants of the Preceptory were used as a courthouse for a number of years. The central tower was re-roofed in 1947 and is now in the care of Historic Scotland (open in summer; entrance charge).

A 'sanctuary stone' in the kirkyard marks the centre of an 'area of sanctuary' that once extended one Scots Mile around. The east and west 'sanctuary stones' still stand in their original positions. It has been suggested that these stones are of much earlier origin than the medieval Preceptory, possibly being related to the important Neolithic henge and burial mound at Cairnpapple Hill, to the east.

The large kirkyard has a fine collection of 17th-18th century headstones, with much intriguing 'folk art', including symbols of mortality, tools representing professions etc.

The Knights Hospitaller

The Knights Hospitaller, established during the Crusades, were invited to Scotland in 1132 by David I. After the suppression of the Knights Templar in 1312, their lands were transferred to the Knights Hospitaller. Torphichen was one of only two major Hospitaller sites in Britain, the other being the Priory of Clerkenwell in London, and benefited greatly from this transfer of land.

In 1298, during the Battle of Falkirk, Alexander de Welles, Master of Torphichen Preceptory, was killed. Based on the heraldic evidence there is very little doubt that Alexander de Welles was a member of the Lincolnshire Welle(s) family. Also at Falkirk were Adam de Welle(s) of Lincolnshire and Philip de Welle(s).

The 1764 coat of arms of the Sandilands, Lords Torphichen.

William Wallace held his last parliament here, prior to the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. The only surviving document signed by Wallace was prepared here. After the battle, Edward Longshanks (Edward I of England) was brought to the Preceptory for treatment of the injuries caused when his horse stood on him, whilst he was encamped at Polmont before the battle. The Hospitallers fought on the English side during the Wars of Scottish Independence, and withdrew after the Scots victory at Bannockburn, returning during the rule of Robert the Bruce.

The last Preceptor, Sir James Sandilands, was the second son of James Sandilands, Baron of Calder. Sir James's father and elder brother John had both backed the Lords of the Congregation and were friends of John Knox. In February 1564 Sir James surrendered the Preceptory lands to the Crown , i.e. his relative, Mary, Queen of Scots, whereupon she gave the lands back to him for a payment of 10, 000 crowns, with the secular title Lord Torphichen.

The honorary post of Preceptor of Torphichen continues to be used within the modern day Order of St John of Jerusalem.

Footnotes

Cowan, Mackay, Macquarrie ed. (1983), 1-40, Rental list of the lands in 1540.
Calendar Documents Scotland, vol. v, SRO (n. d. 197-), 175, no. 305, November 1302, Sir Adam de Welle at Yester Castle in Lothian, to whom King Edward gave various properties - NAS ref no. GD45/27/141
Cowan, Mackay, Macquarrie ed. (1983), xxix, 193; citing Calendar Documents Scotland, vol. ii (1881), no. 508, 823.
Cowan, Mackay, Macquharrie ed. (1983), liv; citing Register of the Great Seal, 1546-1580, no. 1499 and NAS GD119/35.

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