After the arrest of the Knights Templar in 1308, and the sequestering of their lands by the Crown,[REF] records show the preceptory was occupied by eight famuli, or farm servants,[REF] twelve ploughmen, a bailiff and three shepherds, all paid from nearby Temple Bruer [REF].
The Knights Templar order was formally disestablished by Pope Clement V,[REF] in 1312, and the Witham preceptory was completely abandoned by 1324 [REF].