View source for Torphichen Preceptory

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2025}}
{{coord|55.93464|-3.6524|display=title}}
{{Infobox church
| denomination = [[Catholic Church|Catholic]]
| image = Torphichen Preceptory 5.jpg
| pushpin map = Scotland#UK
| country = Scotland
| location = [[Torphichen]], [[West Lothian]]
| years built = 1140s
}}

'''Torphichen Preceptory''' is a church in the village of [[Torphichen]], [[West Lothian]], Scotland. It comprises the remains of the [[preceptory]] (headquarters) of the [[Knights Hospitaller|Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem]] in Scotland. The placename may be Gaelic in origin, e.g., "Tóir Féichín" (the boundary/sanctuary of [[St Féichín]]) or Brythonic, e.g., modern Welsh "tref fechan" (little town). The name "Tóir Féichín" with its Gaelic reference to the Boundary/Sanctuary stones set one mile around the village is most likely the true meaning of the village and Preceptory name rather than the modern Welsh which has no historical precedent that overrides the true meaning of those Neolithic sanctuary stones.

==The Preceptory==
The Preceptory was built in the 1140s around an existing church, possibly of early Christian origin. During the 13th Century the Preceptory was expanded, and the buildings which still stand were first erected. The complex included a [[cruciform]] church, with a nave, central tower, [[transept]]s and choir, whose tower and transepts remain, and a number of domestic buildings including a hospital. The church was extended again in the 15th Century, and a [[cloister]] completed, of which only the foundations remain. Very unusually, this was situated on the north side of the church (a feature seen elsewhere in [[Scotland]] only at [[Melrose Abbey]]).

After the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]], the nave of the Preceptory church was converted for use as the parish [[kirk]], with the rest of the buildings falling into disrepair. Nevertheless, the surviving [[crossing (architecture)|crossing]] of the church (below the central tower) retains some of the best-preserved late 12th-early 13th century masonry in [[Scotland]], with refined architectural detail. In 1756 the nave and domestic buildings were demolished, and a new T-plan kirk built. The kirk is furnished with early 19th Century [[box pew]]s and galleries. The remnants of the Preceptory were used as a courthouse for a number of years. The central tower was re-roofed in 1947 and is now in the care of [[Historic Scotland]] (open in summer; entrance charge).

[[file:The Preceptory, Torphichen, West Lothian..jpg|thumbnail|right|Kite aerial photo of the Preceptory and church.]]

A 'sanctuary stone' in the kirkyard marks the centre of an 'area of sanctuary' that once extended one [[Mile#Scots mile|Scots mile]] around. The east and west 'sanctuary stones' still stand in their original positions. It has been suggested that these stones are of much earlier origin than the medieval Preceptory, possibly being related to the important [[Neolithic]] [[henge]] and [[tumulus|burial mound]] at [[Cairnpapple Hill]], to the east.

The large kirkyard has a fine collection of 17th–18th century headstones, with much intriguing 'folk art', including symbols of mortality, tools representing professions etc.

==The Knights Hospitaller==
The [[Knights Hospitaller]], established during the [[Crusade]]s, were invited to Scotland in 1132 by [[David I of Scotland|David I]]. After the suppression of the [[Knights Templar]] in 1312, their lands were transferred to the [[Knights Hospitaller]]. Torphichen was one of many major Hospitaller sites in Britain, second only to the [[Priory of Clerkenwell]] in [[London]], and benefited greatly from this transfer of land.<ref>Cowan, Mackay, Macquarrie ed. (1983), 1-40, Rental list of the lands in 1540.</ref>

In 1298, during the Battle of Falkirk, Alexander de Welles, Master of Torphichen Preceptory, was killed. Based on the heraldic evidence there is very little doubt that Alexander de Welles was a member of the Lincolnshire Welle(s) family. Also at Falkirk were Adam de Welle(s) of Lincolnshire<ref>''Calendar Documents Scotland'', vol. v, SRO (n. d. 197-), 175, no. 305, November 1302, Sir Adam de Welle at Yester Castle in Lothian, to whom King Edward gave various properties - NAS ref no. GD45/27/141</ref> and Philip de Welle(s).<ref>Cowan, Mackay, Macquarrie ed. (1983), xxix, 193; citing ''Calendar Documents Scotland'', vol. ii (1881), no. 508, 823.</ref>
[[Image:Sandilandslt.jpg|left|thumb|180px|The 1764 coat of arms of the Sandilands, Lords Torphichen.]]
[[William Wallace]] held his last [[Parliament of Scotland|parliament]] here, prior to the [[battle of Falkirk (1298)|Battle of Falkirk]] in 1298. The only surviving document signed by Wallace as Guardian of Scotland, ''Custos Regni Scotiae'', was prepared here.<ref>Anderson, James, ''Diplomata ... Scotiae'', (1739), appointing Scrimgeour Constable of Dundee: Willelmus Walays miles, custos regni Scotiae, duce exercituum eiusdem.</ref> After the battle, Edward Longshanks ([[Edward I of England]]) was brought to the Preceptory for treatment of the injuries caused when his horse stood on him, whilst he was encamped at [[Polmont]] before the battle. The Hospitallers fought on the English side during the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]], and withdrew after the Scots victory at [[Battle of Bannockburn|Bannockburn]], returning during the rule of [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert the Bruce]].

The preceptor, Sir William Knollys, served as [[Lord High Treasurer of Scotland]] for James III and James IV, was created Lord St. John of Torphichen, and is commonly held to have died at the [[Battle of Flodden]] in 1513.

The last Preceptor, [[James Sandilands, 1st Lord Torphichen|Sir James Sandilands]], was the second son of [[James Sandilands, Baron of Calder]]. Sir James's father and elder brother John had both backed the [[Lords of the Congregation]] and were friends of [[John Knox]]. In February 1564 Sir James surrendered the Preceptory lands to the Crown, i.e. his relative, [[Mary, Queen of Scots]], whereupon she gave the lands back to him for a payment of 10,000 crowns, with the secular title [[Lord Torphichen]].<ref>Cowan, Mackay, Macquharrie ed. (1983), liv; citing ''Register of the Great Seal'', 1546-1580, no. 1499 and NAS GD119/35.</ref>

The honorary post of [[Preceptor of Torphichen]] continues to be used within the modern day [[Venerable Order of Saint John|Order of St John of Jerusalem]].

==See also==
*[[Abbeys and priories in Scotland]]
*[[Treasurer of Scotland]]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Cowan, Ian B., Mackay, P. H. R., & Macquarrie, Alan, ed., ''The Knights of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland'', Scottish History Society (1983)

==External links==
{{Commons Category|Torphichen Preceptory}}
*{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90305|desc=Torphichen Preceptory}}
*[http://www.armadale.org.uk/preceptory.htm Information from the West Lothian Archaeology Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606084033/http://www.armadale.org.uk/preceptory.htm |date=6 June 2017 }}
*[http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~torphichen/torphichenchurch_saintjohn.htm Information from Rootsweb]
*[http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst8187.html Information from Gazetteer of Scotland]
* [http://www.torphichen.org.uk Torphichen Community and Heritage Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126145131/http://www.torphichen.org.uk/ |date=26 January 2016 }}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Christian monasteries established in the 1140s]]
[[Category:Scottish medieval hospitals and almshouses]]
[[Category:Preceptories of the Knights Hospitaller]]
[[Category:Churches in West Lothian]]
[[Category:Scheduled monuments in West Lothian]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in West Lothian]]
[[Category:Historic Environment Scotland properties in West Lothian]]
[[Category:Scottish parliamentary locations and buildings]]
[[Category:1140s establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Former Christian monasteries in Scotland]]