Commandry (feudalism)

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Commandry (British English), or commandery (American English), was the smallest division of the European landed estate or manor under the control of a commendator, or commander, of an order of knights. The word is also applied to the emoluments granted to a commander in a military order of knights.

The word came from French commanderie, from medieval Latin commendaria, meaning "a trust or charge". It is also called "commendæ" in Latin.

Originally, commandries only existed for the Order of Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, but later also for the Order of Teutonic Knights and other orders. Commandries of the Teutonic Knights were known as Komturei. Equivalents for Knights Templars were preceptor and preceptory. In 1540, the possessions in England of the Knights Hospitaller were seized as crown property.