The Templar site at Averlo, the Netherlands

In Averlo, on the road that runs west of the Overijssels Kanaal, lies the farm “ De Tempel”. It is a T-farm, which in its current form probably dates from the eighteenth century. It is a listed building. The residents are sometimes called “ Tempelman ”, although their actual name is different. Incidentally, the family name “Tempelman” is common in the wider area. Is there a Templar connection?

In the second half of the fourteenth century, a "landeweer" (or landwehr) was constructed around Deventer. This was a type of land defence, that usually consisted of one or more moats with a single or multiple rampards, of a few meters wide and high. The rampards were planted with impenetrable shruvs, such as oak, ash, hornbeam, poplar, hazelnut, blackthorn, wildrose and honeysuckle. In the undergrowth there were herbs. The vegitation was interwoven als it grew and the trunks were sawn to promote interweaving. It was stricktly forbidden to cut the "landeweer".

Notes were kept about this "landeweer, which were preserved in the Cameraar's accounts of Deventer. Van Schevichaven mentions the following note from the year 1378: " Some aldermen drive to Zwormen, Baerle, ten Tempel and Varendele to "dig to furnish the landwehr ". Given the location indications, it may be assumed that "ten Tempel" refers to the Temple in Avelo.

According to a communication from the Meertens Institute, “de erve Tempelman” in Averlo is mentioned in 1570 as “Den Tempel”. In 1571, “Andries in de Tempel” is mentioned as a resident. In 1574, “Andries ten Tempel” is mentioned. In 1634, the name “Tempelman” is found.

There are no known archaeological finds or traces of canals near the farm.

The current owner (around 2012, TN) believes that the name “Temple” was given because “services” were held here in the past. These were supposedly connected to a certain devotion to Mary. An old statue of Mary originates from the farm, which is now in the parish church of nearby Schalkhaar and is venerated there. People call it: “Maria van Frieswijk” after the hamlet. The statue dates from about 1500.

The name “Tempel” appears in documents from 1570 or even earlier. The explanation for the name must be sought in a situation well before that time. The temptation then becomes great to think of a relationship with the Order of the Temple. Was the farm a base maintained by the Order of the Temple in the thirteenth century for the benefit of travellers along the IJssel route?

As is well known, the Knights Templar were devoted worshippers of their “Heavenly Lady”. Finding such an ancient Marian devotion at this location is not proof. But that some kind of relationship with the Templar Order existed here in the distant past is a possibility that can be seriously considered.

In summary: the Temple in Averlo is a very old, respectable farm. As “Ten Tempel” it is already mentioned in the fourteenth century. In addition to the name, the age and the location and the local old devotion to Mary are possibly an indication that argues for a relationship with the Order of the Temple.

Find all the proven, probable and possible Templar sites defined bij Dr Brus on this map.

This blog quotes, with permission, most of the entry on Averlo on the valuable website on the Templars in the Netherlands by Dr Brus. Additional information was derived from canonvannederland.nl, rijksmonumenten.nl and meertens.knaw.nl. The illustration shows the "De Tempel", a farm with transverse dwelling under a thatched hipped roof. Sliding windows with lintels and rod division and hung with shutters. Right attic room. Attic shutters. Pump, Schalkhaar", source, photo Marco Swart, 2011, (Wikipedia CC BY-SA-3.0).

Support TemplarsNow™ by becoming a Patron, tipping us or buying one of our Reliable Books

No comments: