King Ina Preceptory No. 211

Installation Meeting

 Second Thursday in April

Regular Meetings 

Second Thursday in June (Malta)

Second Thursday in October 

Second Thursday in February

All Meetings start at 6.30 p.m

Officers Appointed 2023

Eminent Preceptor

E.Kt. Michael G Caswell - Installed April 2023

Principal Contacts

• Registrar: E.Kt. Brian Porter
• Almoner: E.Kt. Nigel Handbury

Officers 

• Chaplain E.Kt. Terence J Price
• 1st Constable Kt. David L Gibbs
• 2nd Constable Kt. Richard J Winter
• Treasurer E.Kt. Jonathan R Cozens
• Registrar E.Kt. Brian C R  Porter
• Marshal E.Kt. Christopher E Summers
• Deputy Marshal E.Kt. Kieran J Hughes
• Almoner E.Kt. Nigel K Handbury
• 1st Herald Kt. James D Brown
• 2nd Herald E.Kt. Stephen A Parsons
• Standard Bearer (B) Kt. Anthony Brayley-Willmetts
• Standard Bearer (VB) Kt. 
• Captain of Guards E.Kt. Maurice S Durant
• Guard E.Kt. Peter R Thomas

Bro.Kt. Sam Sheasby was installed as a Knight of the Temple at the February meeting of King Ina Preceptory No.211. The ceremony was conducted by the Eminent Preceptor E.Kt. Mike Caswell and the Accolade conferred by E.Kt. Chris Moore, the Provincial 1st Constable, who on this occasion was representing the Provincial Prior for Somerset.

This Preceptory was consecrated and dedicated at Taunton on the 27th February 1920, by the Very High and Eminent Great Senishal, Colonel C.W.Napier-Clavering, assisted by officers of Great Priory and of Provincial Priory.

There were a total of 13 founder members, and the first Eminent Preceptor was Knight J.A.Macdonald, a founder and Past Master of the Lodge of St.George No.3158.

A Preceptor's Baton, still in use, was generously presented on that occasion by the Provincial Prior V.E.Kt.Col.A.Thrale Perkins, who at that time was the Provincial Prior of Somerset, Monmouth and South Wales.   

The selection of “King Ina” as the name of the Preceptory was very appropriate and apt. King Ina had strong connections with Taunton, having built a castle there in 700. He is also noted for the manner in which he introduced laws and government, some of which exist to this day. A devout Christian he granted many lands and properties in the Taunton are to the Bishops of Winchester. According to the Venerable Bede, King Ina came to power in 688 and reigned for nearly 40 years. He abdicated in 726, and died whilst on a pilgrimage to Rome.

The Preceptory banner, dedicated at Taunton on the 8th October 1987, depicts a crown over the Red Dragon of Wessex, to commemorate that King Ina was the King of Wessex. The banner also contains a representation of balanced scales to show that he was a just and fair King and renowned as a law maker. The sword held by the dragon is an indication of the guardianship of Christian Faith by the Knights Templar.