Barrow Camera

Barrow Camera was a Knights Hospitaller foundation in the parish of Barrow upon Trent, Derbyshire, England.

A Camera is: "A residence used during short visits by an official and attendants of the Knights Hospitallers for administrative purposes on their estates."

Barrow Camera was situated in the hamlet of Arleston in the parish of Barrow upon Trent in Derbyshire, however, several historians have mistaken it for the village of Barrow in Cheshire. The Camera's position in Derbyshire is confirmed by connections with other religious institutions in Derbyshire, and by records showing their annual rent was paid to the Bishop of Carlisle, who was Lord of the Manor of Barrow upon Trent.

History

During the reign of King Henry II (1154-1189), Robert de Bakepuze donated the church and some land at Barrow upon Trent to the Knights Hospitaller of Yeaveley Preceptory, also in Derbyshire. This donation was confirmed by Robert's son, John, who also donated further lands. In return, Mass was sung for Robert's soul in the Preceptory chapel every Sunday.
By 1338 the camera is recorded as having a bailiff and an income of £30; Page, however, believed that it was "doubtful if regular brethren of the order were ever resident here".