Jerusalem lies at the centre of all medieval maps, and was the centre of the crusaders’ world. Its most important role was played by its shape. What, then, – on that great day or later – was the function of the Round? There the Patriach’s procession will have come to rest for Mass. A chancel, some two thirds of the present chancel’s length, stretched to the east. The Round was proudly modern: Heraclius entered through the Norman door to find the first free-standing Purbeck columns ever cut above them curved in two dimensions Gothic arches rising to the drum. The walls and grotesque heads were painted: the walls most probably with bands and lozenges of colour. A grand church for a grand occasion for the Round had no such quiet austerity as we see in it today. On 10 February 1185 Heraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, processed into the Round for the church’s consecration. However, after Henry died it was discovered that he had altered his will, and he was buried in Westminster Abbey. This was consecrated on Ascension Day 1240 in the presence of the king. As a consequence of this wish, the choir of the church was pulled down and a far larger one built in its place, the choir which we now see. In England, King Henry II was probably present at the consecration of the church King Henry III favoured them so much that he wished to be buried in their church. St Bernard of Clairvaux became their patron and they gained many privileges from popes and much support from kings. At first, the Templars were liked and respected. The Templars’ churches were always built to a circular design to remind them of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, a round, domed building raised over the site of the sepulchre where Jesus was buried. The London Temple was the Templars’ headquarters in Great Britain. For more details of the Templars and this early history of the Church, see The Round Church, 1185. Their mission was to protect pilgrims travelling to and from the Holy Land, but in order to do this they needed men and money. The Templars – as the knights were popularly known – were soldier monks.Īfter the success of the First Crusade, the order was founded in Jerusalem in a building on the site of King Solomon’s temple. The church was the chapel serving the London headquarters of the Knights Templar, and from them it took its name. The whole Temple community had moved from an earlier site in High Holborn, considered by the 1160s to be too confined. The Temple Church was consecrated in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 10 February 1185 by Heraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Lat time was in January when the warden assured me it would be open on Saturday, only to find after travelling up from Dover that the door was locked, despite the sign on the door saying it was due to be open.Īnyway, all good things come to those that wait. I have been trying to get inside Temple Church for some years now. Temple Church, Middle Temple, City of London
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