ABSTRACT

The earliest dated record of a donation to the Templars in England is the gift in 1137 by Matilda, wife of King Stephen, of the Essex manor of Cressing. The Order quickly gained ground can be seen from its need for new headquarters in London by 1161. The position of South Witham in the south-west corner of the Kesteven division of Lincolnshire, made it a convenient centre for the collection of revenues from Templar possessions in the latter two counties. In some Templar properties, it is clear that income was set aside for this purpose; a chantry chaplain was paid to say mass in the chapel of South Witham for the souls of donors of land at Kirkeby, near Temple Bruer. Unfortunately there is a gap for South Witham, but it is covered for two periods: between 10 January 1308 and 10 February 1309; and from 29 September 1311 to 29 September 1313.