ROSSLYN CHAPEL - ITS WONDROUS AND MYSTERIOUS INTERIOR..continued
In addition to the theory that the Chapel was used by Freemasons and Knights Templar is the claim that Prince Henry Sinclair in 1398, journeyed to North America and back before Christopher Columbus. This claim is based on several points:
1. some of what appear to be the oldest graveyards in Nova Scotia (which means New Scotland in Latin) have Masonic symbols and Crusader crosses on them;
2. the Westford Knight is a rock engraving in Massachusetts supposedly showing a Scottish knight, linked to the Henry Sinclair party, with the Clan Gunn markings;
3. most importantly, Rosslyn Chapel, although completed six years before Columbus' voyage, allegedly has stone carvings in it of plants native to the Western hemisphere, such as aloe and maize.
Above: the ‘aloe’ lintel <I believe it looks more like agave> and to the right: the ‘Indian corn’ window
The Angel of Love opposite the rather bizarre and puzzling Horned Moses -perhaps placed there for balance - Love and Justice
One of the things that most people don’t realize is that Rosslyn is a private family Chapel which belonged to the Sinclairs <still does, the Earl of Rosslyn oversees it> and as such they did not have to follow ‘the rules’ when it came to the interior and exterior decor.
This meant that whatever William Sinclair wanted placed inside, no matter how wondrous or strange, it was done.
Today it functions quite happily as an Episcopalian church and I was fortunate enough to attend a quiet Evensong which gave me an excellent opportunity to really take a good look at the ceiling without flash bulbs going off from the tourists.
The star and rose pattern of the ceiling seen again in these shots, still takes my breath away from the sheer beauty and the knowledge of the immense skill to create each and every one of them!
The immensity and detail of the carvings within the Chapel is worthy of lifetime’s research.
Above: one of the many ‘pendant’ bosses - this one is called the Lion of Judah for Christ’s Lineage.
Left: can you find the smirking hidden Green Man in this shot?
