Rosslyn Chapel: Knowledge in Stone Quiz

Answer: Edinburgh

The village of Roslin lies seven miles south of the centre of Edinburgh. The village has two claims to fame: it is near Roslin at the Roslin Institute that the 1st cloned sheep was created in 1997 - and Rosslyn Chapel, full of mysterious and amazing Gothic architecture.

Answer: William St.Clair 3rd Earl of Orkney

The building of the chapel took 40 years. The foundations were laid in 1446 and four years later work proper began. William St Clair died in 1484, two years before the completion of the chapel, which was done by his son Oliver St.Clair in 1486. It is said the foundation stone was laid on St Matthew's Day, 21st September.

The height of the chapel is 40 feet 8 inches, breadth 34 feet 8 inches and length 68 feet.

Answer: Ancient knowledge passed down the generations

The chapel has been described as "Tapestry in Stone". Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas writing in their book "The Second Messiah " state that the name Roslin carried a significant meaning. In the Gaelic language, one can break Roslin into two syllables;
Ros: Ancient Knowledge
Linn: Generation
The authors came to the conclusion that this would translate as ancient knowledge passed down the generations.
The name of the chapel was changed in the 1950's to give the place a more 'celtic' feel.

Answer: Cromwell

During the English Civil War, an army under the auspices of Oliver Cromwell laid siege to Roslin Castle, eventually destroying it. Many places of sanctity including castles and chapels have been destroyed by the army. The St Clairs were on the Royalist side and therefore enemies of Cromwell but still the chapel survived. it is thought Cromwell was a freemason of some standing and knew of the significance of Rosslyn Chapel as a masonic shrine and therefore left it intact.

Answer: Green Man

The Green Man, a human head with vines issuing from its mouth and ears is an ancient celtic figure. Keith Laidler in his book "The Head of God" states the Green Man symbolises " The fecund power of nature, the force that lies behind the procreative and regenerative nature forces of the natural world". What is interesting about the Green Man is that only the head appears. Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh authors of "The Temple and the Lodge" believe there is a connection between the Green Man and the Knights Templar in that his head is similar to the heads that the Templars were accused of worshipping, or the severed heads of ancient Celtic tradition, both of which were talismans of fertility.

Answer: True

As part of the fantastic carvings that fill the interior of the chapel, aloe cactus and indian maize cobs feature prominently. These were New World plants supposidly unknown outside America until Columbus discovered the land in 1492. What is interesting is that all the carvings in Rosslyn Chapel (including the aloe cactus and indian maize) were completed by 1486, predating Columbus discovery by some years.

Devotees of Rosslyn claim that in fact America was discovered by a Scotsman- Henry St.Clair of Roslin, grandfather of the chapels architect. It is said that Henry St.Clair crossed the Atlantic and landed in an area he called Nova Scotia after his homeland Scotland. Henry St.Clair had strong connections with the ancient and mysterious group of warrior monks known as the Knights Templars and it is thought that Columbus sailed under the flag of the Knights Templars.

Answer: truth

The Latin inscription reads: Forte est vinum. Fortior est rex. Fiortiores sunt mulieres. Super omnia vincet veritas. The words originate from the Book of Esdras (I Esdras 3:10-12 )

Answer: The Master Pillar and the Apprentice Pillar

There are many legends and stories surrounding Rosslyn Chapel. The most famous legend belongs to the Apprentice Pillar. This pillar is said to have been carved by an apprentice mason to his master. The master mason had gone to Rome to seek inspiration for the work required on the pillar. Eager to please, the apprentice completed the work during his master's absence and made the pillar that still stands today. Upon his return the master viewed the pillar and is said to have flown into a violent fit of rage.

He found out who had made the pillar and killed the apprentice upon the spot. The story has a deeper meaning and can be linked to masonic thought and practices.

Answer: Robert the Bruce

Robert the Bruce has links with the St.Clairs. Robert the Bruce had made a vow before dying that he would go to Jerusalem and fight the Saracens. After his death, as a mark of respect Sir William St.Clair and Sir James Douglas carried his embalmed heart with them as they prepared for their crusade to Jeruslem.

It never reached its destination as they were killed at Andalusia. Bruce's heart was returned to Scotland and is buried at Melrose Abbey.

Answer: False

The chapel is believed to have been based upon one of the ancient temples of Jerusalem. There were three temples of Jeruslaem built. The 1st was by King Solomon over three thousand years ago. It was destroyed by King Nebuchadrezzar in 586BC. The second was built by King Zerubbabel in the 6th century BC but again this was destroyed by an invading force,the Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes in 170BC.

The third was erected by King Herod around the time of Jesus. This temple was destroyed by the Romans under the command of Titus on AD70. Scholars have argued about which temple Rosslyn Chapel is based upon with many resulting theories arising but they do belief it is one of the above.

The evidence is extensive and indepth, too much to discuss here but worth an investigation if you are interested.