Knights Templars commemerative service at Temple Kirk.

Saturday morning took part in the annual service  held within the ruins of Temple kirk, Midlothian, and attended by members of the Knights Templars.     The kirk, sited in the village of Temple, is reputed to have been  the preceptory of the Knights Templars  granted under charter by King David 1 in 1127.  At that time and up until 1570 the village was known as Ballantrodach or Balanatradoch.  The KT's supposedly lived there until their suppression in 1309.  At that time two of the local templars, Walter de Clifton and William de Middleton were put on trial with many others in Hollyrood Abbey, although they were cleared of all charges of heracy.

Is is said that after the Templers were forced to leave that the site was handed over to the Knights Hospitallers, whose main Preceptory was in Torphichen, West Lothian. 

On the bell tower, whether as part of the original building or added at a later time, is a carved stone, with the inscription, VASEC MUHM , which has two interpretations,  "The sacred Council of Vienne to the Knights of St John of Jeruselem and Malta "  and "Church sacred to the Vigin Mother of Jesus. Mediator of Men".   

 

Our purpose on saturday after the short service in the ruins was to lay a wreath at the war memorial in the graveyard in memory of those who have died in the great war and subsequent conflicts.

 

As a parting item, amongst the old gravestones within the kirkyard is one for a Farmer, John Craig of Outerston farm nearby, who is seen in his finery, in which he was buried.

 

In recent times new discoveries have been made within the churchyard, it just remains to be seen as to what, if any significance they have on the history of the site.