Authors: Philip Coppens
ISBN-13: 9781931882088, ISBN-10: 1931882088
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Adventures Unlimited Press
Date Published: June 2002
Edition: (Non-applicable)
Rosslyn Chapel has fuelled controversy and debate, recently in several world bestselling books, as well as in past centuries. Revered by Freemasons as a vital part of their history, believed by some to hold evidence of pre-Columbian voyages to America, assumed by others to hold important relics, from the Holy Grail to the Head of Christ, the Scottish chapel is a place full of mystery. This book will guide you through the theories, showing and describing where and what is being discussed; what is impossible, what is likely... and what is fact. The history of the chapel, its relationship to Freemasonry and the family behind the scenes, the Sinclairs, is brought to life, incorporating new, forgotten and often unknown evidence. Finally, the story is placed in the equally enigmatic landscape surrounding the chapel, from Templar commanderies to prehistoric markings, from an ancient kingly site to the south, to Arthur's Seat directly north of the Chapel - before its true significance and meaning is unveiled: that the Chapel was a medieval stone book of esoteric knowledge, "written" by the Sinclair family, one of the most powerful and wealthy families in Scotland, and chosen patrons of Freemasonry.
1. | Acknowledgments | 7 |
2. | Introduction | 8 |
3. | The name Rosslyn | 11 |
4. | The Sinclairs | 13 |
4.1 | Rex Deus | 13 |
4.2 | Legendary vs. true origins | 14 |
4.3 | Discovering America? | 17 |
4.4 | Mary Queen of Scots, the Sinclairs and treasure | 21 |
5. | The Sinclairs and Masonry | 25 |
5.1 | The Scottish free mason | 25 |
5.2 | "Hereditary grand masters" | 28 |
6. | Foundation of Chapel | 32 |
7. | The History of the Chapel | 38 |
8. | Guide to the Chapel | 46 |
8.1 | Interior | 46 |
8.2 | Ground plan | 84 |
8.3 | Exterior | 87 |
8.4 | Around the Chapel | 91 |
9. | The Chapel as the Temple of Solomon | 99 |
9.1 | Stellar mythology and Rosslyn | 99 |
9.2 | Rosslyn as a solar masonic temple | 101 |
10. | A Rosslyn meridian? | 104 |
10.1 | North | 104 |
10.2 | South | 107 |
11. | The Chapel as the Magical Garden of Eden | 109 |
12. | Excursions | 115 |
12.1 | Remains of the Temple Preceptory at Temple | 115 |
12.2 | Abbotsford: the home of Sir Walter Scott | 117 |
12.3 | Soutra Aisle: The destroyed hospital | 118 |
12.4 | Liberton's Balm Well: St Catherine's sacred well | 119 |
13. | Appendix: Theories about the Chapel and its significance | 121 |
14. | Bibliography | 124 |
15. | How to get to Rosslyn Chapel | 127 |
16. | Information | 130 |