Knights Templar Church, Dover
The Knights Templar Church in Dover is a ruin on Bredenstone Hill, part of the Dover Western Heights, Kent. It was a mediæval church built by the Order of the Knights Templar probably in the twelfth century. When it was demolished is unknown, and the ruins were discovered only at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
The church ruins have been designated as a scheduled monument and they are today in the care of English Heritage.[1]
History
The church followed the same plan as the New Temple Church in London but smaller in scale. It was probably used before the church moved to Temple Ewell in 1170, and built the Norman church of St.Peter and St.Paul.[2]
In 1309, Ralph de Malton was the preceptor of the church.[3]
The church was discovered in 1806 during construction of the fortifications on Dover Western Heights. According to Matthew Paris, this was the site of King John's submission to the papal legate Pandulph in May 1213.[1]
The church has a circular nave, 30 feet in diameter, and an oblong chancel. Built mainly of flint rubble with ashlar facings. This unusual form mirrors that of the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.[4]
Outside links
- Location map: 51°7’8"N, 1°18’16"E
- Map: TR31294072
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Knights Templar Church, Dover – English Heritage
- ↑ Preceptories, St Augustine Temple Ewell 'templars.org.uk'
- ↑ Ralls, Karen: Knights Templar Encyclopedia: The Essential Guide to the People, Places, page 42
- ↑ National Monuments Record: No. 467854 – Church of the Knights Templar
