Penhill Preceptory Yorkshire - Preserved Architectural Remnants and Ruins on Waymarking.com

This house of the Knights Templar was founded by Roger Mowbray around 1142, dissolved in 1308-12 and passed to the Knights Hospitallers who accounted it worthless in 1328 due to its ruinous state. The first preceptory, mentioned during the period 1170-1181, was sited to the north west of Temple Farm. It was rapidly replaced by a new preceptory, in existence by 1202 and lying a short distance to the south. The remains of the second preceptory’s stone built chapel were uncovered in 1840 and have been preserved. The chapel measured 17.5 metres east to west by 6.8 metres internally with walls 1.3 metres wide and 1.1 metres maximum height. In the centre of the main floor are three stone coffins with cover slabs whilst in the chancel is the stone base of an altar. Slight earthworks around it indicate the presence of other buildings contemporary with it.

Penhill is perhaps the most enigmatic Templar site in Yorkshire, perched three quarters of the way up the side of the hill from which it takes its name. A visitor to the site needs to be energetic as the first part of the route is up a steep narrow lane, for the first 200 metres or so, from here we cut across grassland through stiles in dry stonewalls, to at last reach the site surrounded by post and rail fencing to protect it from livestock. At this point one gets some idea of the hardships the Templars must have endured just getting the stone to the site let alone building. The exposed foundations on view are of the Preceptory chapel, the rest of the complex being still unexcavated, it is at these oblong chapel foundations that perhaps the mystery of Penhill is apparent, as the signboard tells us there are three exposed tombs with their lids drawn back, the first is fairly conventional with the general shape of the human body carved out of the coffin, two holes about two inches across are cut through the coffin floor, these were to let fluids drain away from the natural decaying process of the body, the other two are altogether different ( see photo) the first thing one is struck with is their obvious small size. The body recess being only about four feet long and about nine inches across the "shoulder", there are no drainage holes in the bottom as I found when feeling around in the standing water in the recess, the usual answer to the puzzle is that they were the coffins of children, but that is hardly likely for an Order of celibate monks, another possibility, somewhat macabre centres around rumours of strange burial practices afforded to high ranking Templars in that they were dismembered at death and their head and lower limbs buried separately (skull and crossed bones) alternatively they may not be graves at all, a medieval sword would fit very nicely into the recess so they may have had some ritual connection. The site is well worth a visit if only to take in the spectacle of the Aysgarth falls in Aysgarth village a short drive from the Preceptory.

Type: Ruin Fee: no Hours: 24/7 Related URL: Not listed

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Original photographs showing additional views of the Ruin/Remnant or even just its current condition are encouraged. Please describe your visit, especially if no additional photos are available. Did you like the Ruin or Remnant? What prompted you to see the Ruin or Remnant?

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Date Logged Log   04/12/2021 fm1906 visited it 06/22/2009 Ragged Robin visited it

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