Monument record 0115201000 - WIDMERE FARM

C13 chapel (01:001) possibly remains of a preceptory (B1-4, B13).
Foundations of buildings frequently met with in vicinity of chapel (B5).
Knights Hospitallers recorded at Widmere in 1248; remains though to indicate a small preceptory, founded pre-1248, dissolved pre-1338 (B3).

(SU 83148919) Widmere (NR) Chapel (NR) (Remains of) (B15)

The farmhouse is apparently modern, except one chimney stack of early 17th century brick. Adjoining the east end of the house and now forming part of it, is a chapel, probably of early 13th century date; it was probably attached to a large building and was of one storey with a vaulted cellar underground which still remains. (B1)

An uncertain foundation of the Knights Hospitallers. There are indications that this may originally have been a small commandery (a) (b); but in 1338 it was farmed out. (B1 and B13)

An outstanding example of a 13th century chapel, measuring 13.4m NE-SW by 7.0m transversely, now the NE wing of Widmere farmhouse (17th century modernised), and used as a storeroom and office to the farm. Three 13th century windows remain in the SE wall, two of which have been altered to form doorways, and two more, now blocked, occur in the NW wall. A hood moulding survives in the NE gable. There is no trace of an original entrance. The vaulted crypt supported by three round pillars is in its original condition. The chapel is stuccoed with modern window inserts, and re-roofed.

No information regarding the dedication, or existence of a commandery or contemporary building. (B16)

NRHE Insert 2001, Update 2004 and 2005 (B17)