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
Coordinates51°09′06″N 1°11′26″E / 51.1518°N 1.1906°E / 51.1518; 1.1906
OS grid referenceTR2322844015
Built13th Century
Built forOrder of St. John of Jerusalem
Restored1972-4
Governing bodyEnglish Heritage
Official nameSt John's Commandery
TypeGrade II*
Designated17 October 1988
Reference no.1242361
Swingfield Preceptory is located in Kent
Swingfield Preceptory
St Johns Commandery location in Kent

History

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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

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "St John's Commandery, Swingfield". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
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