St Aldhelm Preceptory and Priory No. 492
Warrant dated 1st May 1979. Meets at Malmesbury Masonic Hall, Silver Street, Malmesbury,
Wiltshire SN16 1AP on the 2nd Monday in February, May (Installation), October (Malta)
and December
Parking:Cross Hayes Pay & Display
Map
Consecrated at Malmesbury by the Provincial Prior, Frederick Jesse Gomm, on 30th
June 1979
The Preceptory is named after St. Aldhelm, bom nearby in about 640 AD. A charismatic
figure renowned for playing the lute and singing to attract the townsfolk before
preaching, he was also one of the leading scholars of his day.
Aldhelm established the monastery at Malmesbury and was Abbot for thirty-three years.
He was appointed the first Bishop of Sherborne when the Diocese of Wessex was
divided in 705 AD. After his death in 709 AD his remains were enshrined at Malmesbury,
which soon became an important pilgrimage site.
Of the twenty one founders, eight were members of St. Peter and St.Paul, six of William
Longespee and five of Selwood Preceptory of St. John meeting at Frome.
