The Knights Templar in Gloucestershire

Temple Guiting is a village and civil parish in the Cotswolds, in Gloucestershire, England.

The place was recorded as plain Guiting (in the form Getinge) in the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was held by Roger de Lacy. In the middle of the 12th century, Roger's son Gilbert de Lacy gave land here to the Knights Templar, who founded the Temple Guiting Preceptory. The place then became known as Temple Guiting after the Knights Templar.

St Mary's Church dates back to the 12th century, but was restored in 1884. It is a Grade I listed building.

At the survey of the lands of the order in 1185, the possessions of the preceptory of Guiting were valued at £11 10s. 6½d. The preceptories were virtually cells of the head house of the Templars in London, which were established principally for the sake of managing the property of the order.

The community consisted of some serving brethren, a chaplain, and one or more knights under the rule of the preceptor, who was always a knight. After due provision was made for their maintenance and for hospitality, the surplus of the revenues was sent to the Master of the Temple.

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