Commandry (feudalism)
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- For the historical political division of China, see Commandery.
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". 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. Its equivalents for Knights Templars were preceptor and preceptory. In 1540, the Knights of St. John's possessions in England were seized as crown-property.
