Source: “The Knights templar And Scotland”, By Robert Ferguson, The History Press, Brimscombe Port Stroud, Gloucestershire, 2011.
9. Rosslyn Chapel - A Templar Legacy?.mp4
9. Rosslyn Chapel - Unpacking the Enigma of Scotland's Most Mysterious Site.m4a
This topic delves into the enduring mystery surrounding Rosslyn Chapel, questioning whether it is merely a collegiate chapel or holds a hidden connection to the Knights Templar. Despite the chapel's ostensible purpose as a private family burial ground for the St Clair family, its enigmatic carvings and the lack of comprehensive historical records fuel speculation about a deeper Templar link. The author examines various theories, from the chapel's resemblance to the Temple of Solomon and the symbolism within its carvings, to the controversial grave slab attributed to a Knight Templar William St Clair. Ultimately, while direct evidence of Templar involvement in the chapel's construction is inconclusive due to the Order's dissolution long before its completion, the text acknowledges the strong enduring belief in such a connection, particularly among modern Templar orders who actively use the chapel for their ceremonies today.
TOPIC 1 Rosslyn Chapel is considered a unique and exquisite architectural marvel, often compared to the Taj Mahal in its beauty but differing significantly in its enigmatic purpose. Unlike the Taj Mahal, whose function as a mausoleum is well-understood, Rosslyn Chapel's true intent is subject to much speculation. Visitors are often overwhelmed by its interior, particularly the intricate carvings on pillars and corbels, which seem to demand explanations beyond common historical accounts and tourist brochures, hinting at a deeper, hidden significance.
TOPIC 2 Rosslyn Chapel is located just outside the small town of Roslin, approximately seven miles south of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is positioned on the left bank of the North Esk River. It is categorized as a small, collegiate chapel, falling within a group of about forty secular collegiate churches built in Scotland between 1248 and 1546. This description highlights its specific architectural and functional classification within its historical context.
TOPIC 3 The term "secular church" might sound contradictory, but it accurately describes Rosslyn Chapel. It is considered "secular" because it was privately constructed and owned by a family, the St Clairs, rather than being built and managed by a broader church organization for public use. It is designated as "collegiate" because its design and purpose intended it to be served by at least two pastors, indicating a structured religious establishment, albeit one under private patronage.
TOPIC 4 The name 'Rosslyn' itself holds meaning, being derived from two Gaelic words: 'ros', meaning peninsula or promontory, and 'lynn', meaning waterfall. Thus, the name translates to 'Waterfall Point', a fitting description given the chapel's location near the St Clairs' Rosslyn Castle, which stands on a promontory surrounded on three sides by the Esk River. The chapel was the second built by the St Clairs in the area, initiated on St Matthew's Day in 1446 by Sir William St Clair, who was the third and last St Clair Prince of Orkney, and formally dedicated in 1450.
TOPIC 5 There is much debate regarding Sir William St Clair's original intentions for the chapel's construction. While some theories suggest he aimed to build a grand, complete church, others question if he only ever intended to construct the parts that exist today: the choir, baptistery, lower chapel, and underground vaults. The full foundation, discovered in the eighteenth century, reveals a common ecclesiastical shape with a cruciform configuration, a central tower, transepts, and a nave, all oriented on an east-west axis. This complete foundation design suggests Sir William may have envisioned the entire chapel's completion.
TOPIC 6 Despite the existence of a complete foundation plan, the chapel was never fully realized. For 36 years, Sir William St Clair focused intensely on the chapel's intricate carvings and masonry, completing the four walls and the carved interior by his death in 1484. However, the nave, transepts, and tower remained unstarted, and while roof designs were approved, construction had not begun. Sir William endowed funds for the chapel's ongoing use, supporting a provost, six prebendaries, and two choristers, but provided no further funds for construction. His son, Sir Oliver St Clair, finished the roof but left most of the chapel incomplete, with only the choir truly finished.
TOPIC 7 From a straightforward perspective, if Rosslyn Chapel is merely a secular, collegiate chapel without any direct link to the Knights Templar, its primary purposes were twofold: to serve as a place for the St Clair family to offer prayers for the souls of their deceased and living members, and to function as a permanent burial ground for family members. For several centuries, these were indeed its recognized uses, with the family holding services and burying their dead in the chapel's vault.
TOPIC 8 A significant factor contributing to the numerous claims, suppositions, and theories surrounding Rosslyn Chapel is the complete absence of any surviving original designs or notes from its construction period. This lack of documentation, coupled with the chapel's many enigmatic carvings, has fostered an environment ripe for speculation. Without definitive historical records to clarify its original intent or symbolism, the mystique of Rosslyn Chapel has only deepened over time, allowing for a multitude of interpretations regarding its true purpose.
TOPIC 9 One strong argument against a direct Templar connection to Rosslyn Chapel lies in the timeline. The Knights Templar, as a formal, organized fighting force with immense wealth, were officially dissolved in 1312. Rosslyn Chapel, however, did not begin construction until 1446, some 134 years after the Templars' dissolution. Furthermore, the Templars had their own chapel at Balantrodoch, a short distance from Rosslyn Chapel, which they used until 1534. This means there was only a brief 12-year window (1534-1546, when Rosslyn Chapel was essentially completed) during which the Templars might have been without a chapel and Rosslyn was under construction, making significant Templar contributions improbable.