Swingfield Preceptory (or St John's Commandery, Swingfield) was a priory about 5 miles north of Folkestone, Kent on the south coast of England.
| Swingfield Preceptory | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 51°09′06″N 1°11′26″E / 51.1518°N 1.1906°E |
| OS grid reference | TR2322844015 |
| Built | 13th Century |
| Built for | Order of St. John of Jerusalem |
| Restored | 1972-4 |
| Governing body | English Heritage |
| Official name | St John's Commandery |
| Type | Grade II* |
| Designated | 17 October 1988 |
| Reference no. | 1242361 |
  St Johns Commandery location in Kent | |
History edit
The Preceptory (headquarters of certain orders of monastic knights) was taken over by the Knights Hospitaller in 1180 after sisters of the same order were moved to Buckland Priory.[1] It was suppressed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and leased on 16 March 1541 to John Thorgood and Thomas Horseley for twenty-one years.[1] It then passed through many families (including Sir Anthony Aucher, Sir Henry Palmer, of Wingham and Sir Thomas Palmer, 4th Baronet, of Wingham).[2]
The 13th-century St John's Chapel still survives on Swanton Lane and is under the care of English Heritage.
Architecture edit
It was originally built between the 13th and 16th centuries as a farmhouse of flint, which has been knapped in places. It also has stone quoins and dressings. The west gable end is tile-hung on both floors. The north elevation retains areas of render painted and is scored to resemble red brick in Flemish bond.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b Hasted, Edward (1800). "Parishes". 'Houses of Knights Hospitallers: The preceptory of Swingfield', A History of the County of Kent. 2. Institute of Historical Research: 176. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ Hasted, Edward (1799). "Parishes". The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent. 8. Institute of Historical Research: 120–126. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ "St John's Commandery, Swingfield". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
External links edit
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