Commandery

Webster's Dictionary

(1):

(n.) A district or a manor with lands and tenements appertaining thereto, under the control of a member of an order of knights who was called a commander; - called also a preceptory.

(2):

(n.) An assembly or lodge of Knights Templars (so called) among the Freemasons.

(3):

(n.) A district under the administration of a military commander or governor.

(4):

(n.) The office or rank of a commander.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(commenda, a benefice), or Preceptory (praeceptio. a first share), is a cell of the Templars and Hospitallers for collecting demesne-rents, and a home for veteran members of those orders. The president paid himself first his own pension, and then accounted for the residue. These houses remain at Swing-field, Cliburn, and Worcester.