This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Warfvinge (talk | contribs) at 09:46, 15 September 2006 (Revert to the revision prior to revision 75857660 dated 2006-09-15 09:44:41 by 124.176.125.221 using popups). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 09:46, 15 September 2006 by Warfvinge (talk | contribs) (Revert to the revision prior to revision 75857660 dated 2006-09-15 09:44:41 by 124.176.125.221 using popups)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Commandry (British English), or commandery (American English), was the smallest division of the European landed estate or manor under the control of a commendator, or commander, of an order of knights. The word is also applied to the emoluments granted to a commander of a military order of knights.
The word came from French commanderie, from medieval Latin commendaria, meaning "a trust or charge". Also called "commendæ" in Latin.
Originally commandries only existed for the Order of Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, but later also for the Order of Teutonic Knights and other orders. Its equivalents for Knights Templars were preceptor and preceptory. In 1540, the Knights of St. John's possessions in England were seized as crown-property.
Commandery (郡 in pinyin: jùn) was a historical administrative level of China. During the Zhou Dynasty, it was one level below a district (縣 / 县). Qin Shi Huang inverted the hierarchy and made commanderies higher than districts. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, commanderies were abolished and replaced by zhou-prefectures (州).
Notable commandries: