The Stiverton Knight

A medieval knight in St Andrew’s

Among the most remarkable monuments in St Andrew’s is the stone effigy of a medieval knight.

The figure is believed to represent Robert de Styveton, a member of the important local Styveton, or Stiverton, family and a Knight Templar.

Robert died in 1307, but the monument we see today was not created until the 1350s, around fifty years later. It is believed to have been commissioned by his grandson, also called Robert de Styveton.

That gap of half a century explains one of the effigy's most intriguing features.

Robert de Styveton, Knight Templar

Robert de Styveton belonged to a family with deep roots in medieval Craven. He was also a member of the Knights Templar, the famous military religious order established in the twelfth century.

The Templars combined the lives of soldiers and religious brothers. Originally associated with the protection of pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land, they became one of the most powerful religious and military orders of medieval Europe.

Robert's connection with the Templars places his story within that much wider medieval world of pilgrimage, warfare and religious devotion.

He died in 1307, the very year in which events began that would bring the Knights Templar to an end.

The end of the Templars

On 13 October 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar in France. The action against the Order subsequently spread beyond France, and in 1312 Pope Clement V formally suppressed the Knights Templar.

The last Grand Master of the Order, Jacques de Molay, was executed in Paris in 1314.

There is no reason to connect Robert's death in 1307 with the events taking place in France that year. Nevertheless, the coincidence of dates is striking.

Robert died just as the final chapter in the history of the Knights Templar was beginning.

By the time his monument was created at Kildwick, the Order had already been gone for around forty years.

A grandson remembers his grandfather

The effigy at St Andrew’s dates from the 1350s, around half a century after Robert's death.

It is believed to have been commissioned by his grandson, another Robert de Styveton, as a memorial to his grandfather.

This helps explain something which might otherwise seem puzzling.

The armour worn by the figure does not belong to 1307.

It belongs to the world of the 1350s.

Dressed for a later age

To modern eyes, we might expect a monument to show someone exactly as they appeared during their lifetime. But the Stiverton Knight was not intended as a historically accurate portrait in the modern sense.

The sculptor portrayed Robert as a knight using the armour familiar in the period when the monument was created.

The armour therefore helps us to date the effigy, rather than the man it represents.

This gives the monument a particularly fascinating character. We are looking at a medieval representation of an earlier medieval man, created by a later generation which wanted his memory to endure.

The man belongs to the age of the Templars. The monument belongs to the world that came after them.

A Templar remembered as a knight

By the 1350s, nobody could commission a monument showing Robert as a living member of an existing Order of Knights Templar. The Order had ceased to exist decades earlier.

Instead, he is remembered as what he had been in life: a medieval knight.

His effigy therefore brings together two different moments in history. Robert's own story belongs to the world before the suppression of the Templars. His monument belongs to mid-fourteenth-century England.

That distinction is important when we look at the figure today. The later armour does not undermine the identification of Robert as a Templar. It reflects the fact that his memorial was created long after his death.

A monument of faith

Despite its military appearance, the effigy is not primarily an image of warfare.

Robert lies with his hands together in prayer.

Medieval effigies were created within churches as acts of remembrance and Christian hope. They preserved the identity and status of the dead, but also placed them symbolically within the continuing worshipping life of the Church.

Robert is therefore not shown fighting, commanding soldiers or displaying military power.

He is shown at prayer.

For a man who had belonged to a religious military order, that is particularly appropriate.

Two Roberts, one monument

The Stiverton Knight preserves the memory of two generations.

There is Robert de Styveton, the Knight Templar, who died in 1307.

And there is his grandson Robert, who around fifty years later appears to have commissioned the monument which ensured that his grandfather would continue to be remembered at Kildwick.

The younger Robert's world can be seen in the armour.

The older Robert's identity is preserved in the man the effigy represents.

More than six centuries later, the monument still fulfils the purpose for which it was created.

A grandson wanted his grandfather to be remembered. At St Andrew’s, he still is.

10/09/2026

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Planning your Visit

A Warm Welcome

If you're new to church, new to the area, returning after some time away, or simply wondering whether church might be for you, you are very welcome at Kildwick, Cononley & Bradley.

You don't need to know what to do, what to say or even what you believe. Just come as you are. Our churches are places where people can worship, ask questions, find friendship and explore faith together.

We are one parish with three churches: St Andrew's Kildwick, St John's Cononley and The Bradley Church. Each is a little different, but wherever you join us, we hope you will find a warm welcome.

Find our Sunday services

What are we about?

At the heart of our life together is Jesus Christ and his call to love God and love our neighbour.

For many years we have expressed our mission in four simple words:

Sharing, Caring, Growing in Christ

In Christ

Everything begins with God's love for us in Jesus Christ. We don't come to church because we have everything sorted out. We come to worship, to pray, to learn and to discover more of what it means to follow Jesus.

Growing

Faith is a journey. None of us has all the answers, and there is always more to discover. Through worship, prayer, the Bible and one another, we seek to grow in faith and in our understanding of God.

Caring

Following Jesus means caring for one another and for the communities around us. We seek to put God's love into practice through friendship, compassion, service and care for our neighbours.

Sharing

The good news of Jesus is something to be shared. We want to share God's hope, love and peace through what we say, but also through how we live and how we serve others.

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This is reflected in our vision for the parish:

Living out our faith, rooted in service; embracing everybody equally.

We want these to be more than words. They describe the kind of Christian community we are seeking to become.

What happens if I come on Sunday?

You don't need to book or let us know that you're coming. Just turn up.

Our services vary across our three churches. Some are traditional celebrations of Holy Communion, while others are more informal. You can find the time and location of this week's services on our Sunday Services page.

When you arrive, there will usually be someone to welcome you and give you anything you need for the service. You are welcome to sit wherever you like.

Don't worry if you aren't familiar with the service or don't know when to stand or sit. Just follow along as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. Nobody will mind if you get something 'wrong'.

See our Sunday services

Do I need to be a Christian?

No.

You might have been a Christian for many years, be returning to church after a long time away, have lots of questions, or simply be curious.

You don't have to have faith sorted out before coming to church. Exploring, questioning and sometimes doubting are all part of the journey.

Whatever your background, faith or spiritual beliefs, you are welcome.

What should I wear?

Whatever you normally wear!

There is no dress code. Some people dress smartly, others come in jeans and trainers. Come in whatever makes you comfortable.

What about children?

Children and families are very welcome at our churches.

We know that children make noise, move around and don't always behave like adults, and that's absolutely fine. Please don't worry about having to keep them perfectly quiet.

We also have activities especially for children and families throughout the year.

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Will I be expected to give money?

No.

There may be an opportunity to give during or after a service, but visitors should never feel under any pressure to contribute. Please simply be our guest.

Can I receive Communion?

If you normally receive Holy Communion in your own church, you are welcome to receive with us.

If you would prefer not to receive Communion, you are still very welcome to come forward for a blessing, or simply remain in your seat. There is no pressure either way.

Accessibility

Accessibility varies between our three historic church buildings. You can find specific access information on each church's page, or please contact us if we can help you plan your visit.

Getting involved

Coming to a Sunday service is only one way to be part of our parish.

Throughout the week there are opportunities to meet people, pray, learn, sing, serve our communities and simply spend time together. Have a look at our What's On pages to see what might interest you.

You can also sign up for our weekly email newsletter to find out what's happening across Kildwick, Cononley & Bradley.

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Still have questions?

Please get in touch. It doesn't matter whether your question is about a service, accessibility, children, faith, or simply which of our churches might be right for you.

We would be very happy to help.

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A word from Mike

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I'm Mike Green, the Vicar of Kildwick, Cononley & Bradley.

Finding your way into a church for the first time can sometimes feel daunting, particularly if you're not sure what to expect. I hope you'll discover that you don't need to know the right words, understand everything we do, or have all the answers before you come.

Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your journey of faith, there is a place for you here.

I hope we'll have the opportunity to welcome you in person soon.

Best wishes,
Revd Mike