English: Church of St Mary, Knockin, Shropshire, view from the S-W. At right (at east end of the church) is the remnant of the motte of Knockin Castle, now covered in trees. "Knockin Chapel" was "perhaps founded by Ralph le Strange (of Knockin Castle), but certainly given by him to Haughmond Abbey about 1190-95" (Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire, Vol.X, p.371[1]). The Le Strange family held under the overlordship of FitzAlan. "Between the years 1204 and 1210, Reyner, Bishop of St. Asaph, granted and confirmed Knockin Chapel to Haghmon Abbey, "according to the Deed and concession of Ralph le Strange, Lord of the Fee". The Anglo-Norman surname "Le Strange" was Latinised as "Extraneus", meaning "The Foreigner/Stranger".

Text from: Mel Lockie www.melocki.org.uk [2]

The following account of the Parish is taken from my History of the Diocese of St Asaph, Vol. III., pp. 11-15, which is itself much indebted to Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire, x., pp. 371-377. Until near the end of the twelfth century this parish was an integral part of Kinnerley, but between 1182-95, Radulphus Extraneus (Ralph L'Estrange) founded the " Chapel of Knockyn," and gave the patronage, with its appurtenances, to Haughmond Abbey; and between 1197-1200, his successor, John L'Estrange, gave and confirmed to the said abbey the "new Chapel of Knockyn, with the ground whereon it was built, with free access, and with all its appurtenances and obventions," and " all the land of Norslene with the upper pool near his castle of Knockin." Their respective shares in the tithes were settled about the same time by a charter of Bishop Reyner, which ordered " quod persona de Knokin tenebit omnes decimas de Knokin et de Norslepe et omnes obvenciones earundem villarum praeter sepulturam et medietatem testamenti, annuatim solvendo xiid. predicte ecclesie de Kinardesley in festo Sancte Brigide." Between 1204-10 Bishop Reyner further confirmed Ralph L'Estrange's grant of the chapel to Haughmond Abbey, and invested Ralph, the abbot, as its representative; subject, however, to the aforesaid pension to the mother church. About forty years later a dispute arose concerning some of these tithes, which was referred to papal arbitration; and the sentence, passed June 1st, 1248, states that- The Abbot released and gave up to Brother Thomas, Master of the Hospitallers, as Rector of Kinnerley, certain instruments concerning Kinnerley Church, which had been obtained by his convent, as also the tithes and the principle legatum of the whole land of Osberneston; and Brother Thomas, on his part, released to the Abbot all the tithes in dispute (except those of Osberneston), and the principale legatum of all parishioners of the vill of Knockin.

From: Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire, Vol.10[3]:

A Welsh History, called Cambria Triumphans, is replete with details which accord well with such a title. The reduction of Oswestry, the defeat of John le Strange at Knockyn, and an advance towards Shrewsbury are announced among the achievements of "Madoc, son of Llewellyn". It is certain that during this insurrection, viz. on June 24, 1295, King Edward was at Oswestry, and that, within the next two months Madoc was taken prisoner on Cefn Digolh (The Long Mountain near Caus) and carried to London. Holinshed gives St. Lawrence's day (August 10) 1295, as the day of Madoc's capture.

Seats of the Strange family in Shropshire:

• Le Strange of Ness and Cheswardine
• Le Strange of Knockin
• Le Strange of Ellesmere
• Le Strange of Blackmere, Whitchurch
• Le Strange of Alveley

Wikidata has entry Church of St Mary (Q17539814) with data related to this item.