Temple Thornton

Temple Thornton is a hamlet close to Meldon Park in Northumberland, and within Hartburn Civil Parish. The placename derives from about the time of King John (12-13th century) when a carucate of land at Thornton was given to the Knights Templar by William de Lisle, to farm for the maintenance of a chaplain in Thornton chapel.^[1] Historically, the hamlet was part of West Thonton township, in the ancient parish of Hartburn. Todays Temple Thornton includes a short terrace of houses, with a tower at it's eastern end. The tower dates from the early 19th century and is a folly and former dovecote - it's design is loosely modelled on Hartburn Parish Church.^[2] The tower is Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for Engand.