The Templars at Gislingham in Suffolk

This is exciting! Although the records from the Templars’ estates between 1308 and 1313 mention regular almsgiving, they are generally silent on the subject of buildings associated with aid for the poor. But the inventory for the Templars’ manor at Gislingham in Suffolk mentions an ‘eleemosynary house’, although also states that it was ruinous and beyond economic repair. Here is a photo of the text: the Latin is: ‘J dom’ elemo[s]i[n]e ad portas slactas’��+��ruinos���+ qu[e] no[n] possu[n]t emendar[i] n[is]\i/ p[er] magna custag��� merem��� + corp[er]tur���’ — One eleemosynary house at the gates, slate covered, ruined and which cannot be repaired without great cost in timber and roof-covering.

Section of The National Archives, E 142/112 mem. 2