Ulverscroft Preceptory No.420

Consecrated 19th January 1970

Meets at Freemasons' Hall, London Road, Leicester

on the 1st Wednesday in May, 4th Wednesday in October

and 2nd Tuesday in February

History

The Priory was founded in the twelfth century by Robert de Bossu, as a small refuge for Augustinian Erimites, at a time when the Knights of our order were having a troubled existence in the Holy Land. About 1200, the Priory sheltered only three Brothers, all priests, but this number was later exceeded.

The small Priory of Charley, founded by Robert's son, was united with Ulverscroft about 1465. A report of 1536 gives a most favourable picture of the augmented Priory. It then contained besides the Prior, eight Canons, of whom six were priests; these were virtuous and discreet men, skilled at writing, embroidery, painting, intent on continuing in religion.

At the height of its prosperity the Priory at Ulverscroft kept open house for the wayfarer, succoured the needy, comforted the weary, and maintained the poor in the villages for miles around.

It seemed fitting to the Founders of the Ulverscroft Preceptory, therefore, to perpetuate the memory of an edifice erected to shelter pious and the poor alike, for although the Priory is now in ruins. It remains as a symbol of Charity and Service rendered by Brothers in Faith.

The amorial bearings of the Ulverscroft Preceptory are described thus:-

Shield – Gules, seven muscles conjoined, three, three and one or,

Crest – Infont of a cross crosslet fitched gules, a loin passant azure,

the dexter forepaw supporting a mascle or, and pendant from the mouth a double chain or,

Supporters – A Knight Templar and a Pilgrim.

Historical note:-

These arms were borne by Saer de Quency, a Knight Templar and an early Patron or benefactor of Ulverscroft Priory, who was created Earl of Winchester on the 13 th March 1207 and died at Acre on 3 rd November, 1219.

It was not unusual for Patrons or benefactors to assume the arms of an ecclesiastical foundation, either alone or in pale with their own.

Contact the Registrar