The Preceptory of Baugy

France, department of Calvados, around 16km south-west of Bayeux and around 20 km north-east of Saint-Lô, in the commune of Balleroy.

An important commandery of the Order was established in Baugy. This location was to the East of Balleroy, along the secondary road n°13 in the commune of Planquery. The preceptory gave its name to a hamlet of the Balleroy commune.
The Baugy establishment was offered to the Poor Knights of Jesus-Christ in 1148 by Roger Bacon, Lord of Molay. The domains of the preceptory stretched in the viscountries of Vire and Bayeux, and notably included the hamlet of the Temple in the commune of Cahagnes.

The only remains of the old Baugy preceptory are parts of the chapel and the foundations of the seigneurial manor. The chapel « Notre Dame of the Temple », rather damaged, was originally composed of five bays.
It was a sober and austere building of the 13rd century. Flanked by massive buttresses, the chapel nevertheless offered a certain appeal through its simplicity.
On the west was a door above which were three arches. Each arch was chisled to a different depth within the stonework, thus creating a conical effect. The door archivolt was supported by two small columns on each side, and each column features a sculpted capital.
On the tympanum, one can still see the Christ Lamb topped by a cross. Symbolic of ressurection, the lamb is a metaphor for Christ sacrificing himself for the salvation of man.

One may also find in Baugy's church the recumbent figure of Brother Richard d'Harcourt (12nd century) representing the maimed effigy of the deceased.
Brother Richard, with clasped hands, and head on a pillow, is clothed in chain mail covered by the long white and sleeveless dress of the Templars.
He has a shield typical of those used at the end of the 12th century, with a sharp base, and adorned with his blazon « of gules with two gold faces »

Quite precise information on the Preceptory of Baugy is available thanks to inventory which was drawn up by Jean de Verretot, bailliff of Caen, on October 13, 1307.
For those familiar with Templar history this date is significant. It is the day the Templars were arrested by Philippe le Bel; King of France.
Included in the Baugy inventory the Royal representative counted: 180 sheep, 14 dairy cows, 8 calves, 3 bulls, 3 heifers, 2 plough bullocks, 98 pigs, 1 sow (and its 8 piglets), 8 mares, 8 foals, the horse of the Preceptor, and 5 plough horses.
There were also several servants attached to this preceptory (25 persons in all): 6 ploughmen, 3 servants for the dairy (to make butter and cheese), 1 shepherd, 1 cowherd, 1 manservant for the preceptor, ...