EXPLORING THE HIDDEN MEDIEVAL HERITAGE OF ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, STOKE DRY

JANUARY 2026

Tucked away in the rolling Rutland countryside, St Andrew’s Church, Stoke Dry may appear at first glance to be a modest rural parish church. Yet this small building holds a remarkable medieval history, linking it to the legendary Knights Templar, the Knights Hospitaller, and generations of local gentry. From the intricate stone carvings of the Norman and Gothic periods to the church’s ecclesiastical role in the medieval landscape, St Andrew’s offers a fascinating window into England’s past.

Read more about the Templars at Stoke Dry in our blog by clicking here

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The Knights Templar Chapel at Rothley: A Legacy Etched in Stone

Tucked away in the charming village of Rothley, Leicestershire, the Chapel of the Knights Templar stands as a striking reminder of medieval England and the enduring legacy of the Templar Order. Now part of the Rothley Court Hotel, this historic chapel offers visitors an evocative glimpse into a world shaped by faith, power, and pilgrimage.

The Knights Templar had already established a presence in Leicestershire before acquiring lands in Rothley. In 1203, John de Harecourt granted them property here, and by 1228, King Henry III formally granted them the manor house. By 1231, the Rothley preceptory had grown into a significant estate, encompassing lands in thirteen neighboring settlements. It included several mills, large grazing pastures for sheep, five independent chapels, and local granges such as those at Baggrave and Gaddesby.

At its peak, Rothley Preceptory likely resembled the nearby Preceptory of Temple Balsall in both scale and function. In addition to the chapel and manor hall, it probably included a dormitory, stables, kitchen, storehouse, bakery, and brewery. The Templars were also granted the advowson (the right to appoint clergy) of the parish church of St Mary and St John the Baptist.

Read more about the Preceptory at Rothley in our blog by clicking here

Learn More about the Knights Templars in Leicestershire further on our main website by clicking here