Tag Archive: Hidden Histories


QUEST 36: SPANIARDS LIGHT: PART ONE

Filed under: The Quests — Leave a comment
March 18, 2023

Quest 36: From the UK to France and Spain – going off the beaten track into worlds and realities only previously dreamt about. Our Grail search continues as as we take the path of the Grail through earthly time and connect to all those whom have walked this path before. At one point we almost actually caught up with the past as it almost became our present, but the elusive Grail still remaons one (or many steps) ahead.  Another stream-lined write up in order to catch up, but as before all the relevant points are here, and more photos can be shared over time. I hope you all enjoy this.

Itinery and map for Quest 36

Day one: Wednesday 23rd November 2022:

  •  Rochester is a beautiful old castle town steeped in historic maritime history, with both Neville and Templar associations down through time, signs of which are everywhere about the town. There are many fine old buildings and narrow streets here, all a delight for a wander around. It is also celebrated for its annual ‘sweeps’ festival – well worth a visit.
  • Rochester Cathedral: Garth Houes. The Precinct: The day we arrived was graduation day, being held in the cathedral, so we could not get into the cathedral for a walk around, although we did ‘sweet talk’ a security guy to let us pop our cameras inside the north door for just five minutes before the ceremony began. The cathedral is England’s second oldest, founded by Bishop Justice. The present building dates back to the work of the French monk Bishop Gundulf in 1o83. The ‘church’ next door, St Nicholas’ also on our list is no longer a church but a diocese admin building now!
  • Rochester Museum: 17 High Steet: An extremely interesting museum with plenty of maritime history, in a well-thought out and inticing manner. But what was even more interesting was the interest shown to these two questers by ‘persons undisclosed’.…

A two-night stay at the delightful and chaming ‘Oast House’ in the heart of rural Sussex.

Day two: Wednesday 24th November 2022:

  • Royal Tunbridge Wells: Like Rochester the pretty spa town of Tunbridge Wells also has very strong Neville connections and was once part of a vast Neville estate. We  visited two churches, one very profound wth Neville connections, and one very much closed, but which Queen Victoria once visited for important reasons. A lovely Autumn day with beautiful colours everywhere. We also visited a very mysterious rock formation, the likes of which is not to be found in any tourist guide, but touch it and many truths of it’s purpose are to be revealed to you….
  • St Marks Church: Broadwater Down: The building of this magnificent French Gothic style church started in 1864, it took two years to build and was consecrated in 1866. More peices of the bigger puzzle (grail puzzle) are to be found here in this church. Ancestry line: The building was funded by one of Karl’s 5th Great Uncles, Earl William Nevill, 4th Earl of Abergavenny(1792-1886), in 1864. William, who was born in 1792 passed away in 1868 a mere two years after the church was consecrated. He also lived in Isleworth, Middlesex 28/06/1792-17/08/1868.
  • King Charles the Martyr Church: 3 Warwick Park: The building was started in 168o, but was then stopped. It eventually became a church in 1709, when it had its first vicar and became a parish church 1889. Ancestry line: The church has been visited by Queen Victoria, whom knew of its importance.
  • Wellington Rocks: 85 Bishops’s Down: A mysterious and enigmatic place, not neccesarly what it seems. It is said it was originally a stone -age settlement but it’s history goes back much further. A saying goes that whoever touches the rocks, so to embrace, will truly know it’s meaning and purpose… These day families use it as a picnic site, with many hours spent clamboring over the rocks by the children, unaware of it’s mysterious history. Certainly an aspect of ‘hidden histories’ at play here.

Day three: Thursday 25th November 2022: Eurotunnel and into Rural France: We left our cosy Oast House early in the morning and headed of to the Channel Tunnel at Dover, Kent. Although we made good time, a train had sadly broken down in the tunnel causing long delays, it was a gorgeous sunny day though and despite the delay, spirits were high and not dampened. Always time for a bit of of people watching while waiting, and the Eurotunnel itself is very well-laid out and profesionally managed with safety a priority. A couple of visits in France needed to be cancelled, for a very long journey lie ahead of us. While waiting we had our first taste of a ‘time-line glitch’ aka ‘Matrix Style! We were to experience more than one of these ‘encounters’ on this Quest.

Day four: Friday 26th November 2022:  Rest Day in France: After yesterdays very long day and mega journey, driving right down into southern France for a couple of night’s pit stop, we enjoyed recuperation, inspiration and rest at Chatres-sur-Cher, Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de-Loire, Longere.

Day five: Sunday 27th November 2022:

  • Eglise Saint -Henri et Saint-Ursin de Bourges Church: 10 Av Marcel Haegelen: As it was a Sunday, there was a service going on when we arrived, so we joined the congregation and waited paitently for our chance to look around, albeit amidst some strange looks. The church although on a busy main road is set in some pretty grounds and was  built on much older sites. A Keystone Church: The Grail rested here for eight years from 29 AD-37 AD,  before travelling to Glastonbury, England. Ancestry line: King Clovis 1 of France 25/12/465 (Marne, Loire-Atlantique, France) – 27/11/511 (St Pierre, Paris, France) (49x GGF). Afterwards we had an interesting walk around the older part of Bourges, where there are some very interesting and photogenic old buildings, and of course the beautiful cathedral whch we strolled around, but did not go in.

A two night stay in the hillsides of Frolois in Burgundy at 1 Rue Du Bourg, Venarey-les-Laumes, Cote d’Or.

Day six: Monday 28th November 2022:

  • Dijon: It was a very wet day when we arrived in this beautiful and magical old city, and the rain just seemed to make it even more charming and picturesque.
  • Cathedral Saint-Benigne de Djion: 4 Place Saint Benigne: Sadly under lock and key until mass at 5pm, so one of those days when G-d just wasn’t at home… A little stroll around the outside had to suffice with tasters of a very interesting history attached to this Cathedral. It is built on the original remains of a structure from 511 AD, but the current building, which is Gothic in design, dates from 1325 AD . There is a direct link here to the Clarke line and that of the group of Desposyni. Ancestry link: Knight Tesceline Sorus (03/08/1065) Fontaine-les-Dijon, France le Roux (11/04/1120) Fontaine-les-Dijon, France (29xGGF) and Father of Benard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), the Founder of the Knights Templar and also (Karl’s 29x Great Uncle). (extra info: Tescelin de Fontaine, lord of Fontaine-lès-Dijon, and Alèthe de Montbard, father of the founder of  the Knights Templars Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 to 1153 AD), Karl’s 28th Great Uncle)

Day seven: Tuesday 29th November 2022: We left Burgundy today for an epic drive right into the heartlands of Spain, a whole day of travel where we experienced changing scenery and a massive change in the weather. As we drove down into warmer climes,  across the Pyranees, there was a noticble shift in the culture too, as we headed along into rural Spain. So at nightfall, we arrived safe and sound in Alpens in Spain, it looked to be extremely beautiful, with very old buildings. We  had gone from a converted barn in rural France to a third floor apartment high up in the Spanish mountains! It was an epic journey today, almost from dawn til dusk…. It was very late at night though, so a good rest this evening and a wander around tommorow, but there is something very exciting about arriving somewhere new late at night and not knowing what awaits you in the morning….

A two night stay at Alpens in the beautiful mountains of Spain at Barcelona Calle Ripoll 1. We were not ‘alone‘ in this interesting apartment, built right next to the church and old churchyard….

Day eight: Wednesday 30th November 2022: Designated a rest day for relaxing and recuperating and for doing our own thing. Alpens in Catalonia was far too pretty and the weather too gorgeous to not have a relaxing day wandering around with my camera…

Day nine: Thursday 1st December 2022: Another very long day of driving as we ventured further southwards and deeper into Spain, but with two very important stops before anchoring for the night, one of which was Girona in Spain. Girona: is an old Spanish river city of which the old part is built on a very steep hill. It is bustling with life, full of different layers, very old buildings, very steep steps and alleyways galore. We visited the cathedral, which was built on a much older previous site. It has the widest Gothic nave in the world and is connected to Lamech in respect of our Grail Quest. Did i mention steps, up and down we went, old steps trod by so many people over the years, many would have been pilgrims, to reach the cathedral that towers above, over the city. Today, may be known on a wider scale as a prominent setting for the well-known Game of Thrones. On a day like this it looked splendid, full of symbolism and deep meanings, but i shall forever remember those steps! We had a lovely wander round this interesting city, the weather was hot and sunny, and the shops were very inticing, so a lovely day.

  • Catedral de Santa Maria de Girona: Placa de la Catedral: There was a settlement here in early 497 AD, and even earlier, with the land and area being in use way back into the BC periods. There was a primitive church here in 696 AD, built on an older site, but by 1417 AD there was some serious investment for renovation going ahead. The cathedral has the widest Gothic nave in the world and full of treasures inside. There was some amazing symbology in place inside, very useful for both Craft and/or Grail researchers alike. It is said that if one looks towards the East, then the West, then the above to below, a great mark will present itself in light… But on a personal level i did not find the energies there very inviting and i felt that ‘they’ felt the same about me, maybe a test?  Ancestry line: connected to Lamech, born 3130 BC Baghdad and settled in this area (111xGGF) and some may say, father to Noah.
  • Castle of Montsoriu: There’s an old ruin of a castle, that sits atop of a mountain just outside of Girona, ‘Cami del Castell de Montsori’. One can see it for miles and miles around – it is that high up. It is situated in the eastern section of the Montseny Natural Park and reserve of the Biosphere. To get there the road winds up and up the mountainside, the views are stunning, if not a little scary, it’s over a thousand years old and reconstruction commenced in the twentieth century. It is of the turreted Gothic castle design, nestling high up in those Spanish mountains and is one of the most relevant examples of medieval military architecture in the Mediterranean region. It is said that this sacred land is connected to Lamech and of Noah himself, very interesting and one wonders if there ever was a flood here or a change in geological circumstances? Ancestry line: The connection here is to Lamech, whom settled in the area.

A three night stay in a swish high-up apartment in the lovely area of Barbera del Valles, Catalonia, just north of Barcelona.

Day ten: Friday 2nd December 2022:
  • Church of Santa Maria and Sant Nicoloau: Calella, Maresme, Àmbit metropolità de Barcelon: On our tenth day of this amazing quest, we visited the beautiful church of Santa Maria and Sant Nicoloau in Calella, Spain, one of the most visited religious buildings in Spain. The ‘energies’ there were so peaceful and truly accomodating, yet the church itself is at the centre of a busy tourist hub, located in the centre of Calella. It was once the site of a temple and cemetry in Roman times. It was  rebuilt in 1753, after the civil war. It was a gorgeous sunny autumn day when we were there, everything looked beautiful, including the bustling Calella itself. We had a nice stroll around later on, with nibbles in a tappas bar and of course some retail therapy! Going back to the church, there were some enlightening and extremely symbolic artworks to be found there, all very relevant to our quests. The church is lovingly looked after with lots of plants and fresh greenery everywhere. Ancestry line: The connection here is to Lamech (111xGGF) who it is said of, really loved it here, and one can see why. Lamech was born in 3131 BC in Baghdad, Iraq, but settled in the Valancia area. It is said that Calella was always in the heart of Lamech.
  • Vil-la Romana del More: We wandered up a seemingly random track in the middle of nowhere in Spain, yet was it though? It is certainly not ‘listed’ anywhere but it was by no mere chance that we happened upon what once was a thriving and active Roman community complete with aquaduct and villa, now the remains have sadly turned to ruins, yet once had important reasons for being there. But why in the middle of nowhere or was it? Just turn around and see exactly why this site was chosen. Uplifting energies here, a lovely spot for, to be refreshed and tempted for all whom come this way. These Romans knew a thing or two and were on a quest of their own, as shown in our own previous quest when we followed in the footsteps of ‘Arthur’ around Europe, and came to understand the meaning of his own life and quest. The mysteries are often written, and hidden, in the very landscape itself, yet seen by few in these current moments of time. As always the answers truly are hidden in plain sight. A peaceful site here, but with energies strong and profound. This site just outside of Calella, near Barcelona, also known to Lancelot Desposyni, whom like ‘Arthur’ was also on a Grail Quest in his own time. Time can reveal and solve many mysteries if only we had all the keys to unlock what has been securely hidden… Just because something is not obvious or ‘seen’ by human eyes in these times, does not mean that it did not have rhyme, reason or purpose in it’s own time. Of course ‘time’ itself does a very good job of keeping it’s own mysteries well hidden… Ancestry link: Once Lancelot Desposyni ventured here, thus aiding his own Grail Quest to provide future knowledge and clues to the current ‘quester’.
  • Esglesia de Santa Maria d’Arenys de Mar: Plaza Esglesia Arenys de Mar Barcelona: We arrived after 5pm to experience the very lively and vibrant town of Arenys de Mar, full of pre-xmas activity, shops all open and xmas lights on and even a night-time food market open! We enjoyed a lovely stroll around, so a very fitting end to a lovely day. This interesting church is set right in the centre of the town in a big open hub of a square. It was built in 1584 and has a rather amazing and huge Baroque-style altarpiece, with Grail links being to Lamech. The church is full of beautiful items with much relevant symbology to be found inside.  Ancestry link: The land here has direct links to Lamech (111xGGF)

Day eleven: Saturday 3rd December 2022:

  • Santa María de Manresa Cathedral: Basilica de Santa Maria de Santa Santa Maria de Manresa (La Seu): This was our last day in this particular area of Spain; an area that we had loved very much. This Gothic church which predates many churches in Spain was to open around 4pm, which seems to be the way of life in Spain and as we were discovering the way for many churches.  Most places close down between 1-2pm, then re-open around 4pm. So time for a stroll around Manresa, to get a feel for the area,  and maybe a nice coffee too. The area was bustling and interesting with some amazing urban art to be seen nearby, the whole area was magnificant. Again the area is full of steep steps and hidden alleyways! The huge gothic Santa Maria cathedral in Manresa is full of symbolism with a special connection to the heart of Lancelot Desposyni (520-593 AD) and of course our grail quest for the truth. There are many items here of special interest to anyone on a Templar path and one clue in particular, it is said, shall aide the journey for those whom seek the Grail, hidden within just one special area…. Underneath the high altar of Santa Maria in Manresa can be found the crypt, full of many treasures and ancient history. A few Knights Templar clues then, within this magnificent building, truths towards enlightenment for sure. As above, so below, as we walked down under the High Altar, the crypt below showed us many splendours. Ancestry link: Lancelot Desposyni 520-593 AD with a special connection to his heart….

“View our videos below to enhance your understandings of our Grail Quests and maybe partake of a little quest of your own”

QUEST 36: SPANAIRD’S LIGHT: ROUND UP PART ONE

QUEST 36: SPANAIRDS LIGHT: ROUND UP PART TWO.

“So we said goodbye to Catalonia and this beautiful part of Spain and were off on the road again”

“If you can truly read the land, you can see through time….”

Day 12: Sunday 4th December 2022:

After a long journey today, a total of 385 miles of travel (5 Hours), in readiness for Chiva tommorow, we finally arrived in the sleepy little village of Port Saplaya, Comunidad, in the Cella district near Treuel, Valencia, for a two night stay in a lovely apartment.

Day 13: Sunday 5th December 2022:

  • Parish of San Juan Bautista. Plaza Iglesia 1. Chiva: We arrived in ths charming yet sleepy little town when there was not a soul to be seen, but as is the tradition in Spain, we arrived during the siesta time. On a possitive note always a good time for taking photos and there was some interesting urban art there too. The town seems as if it is residing in a bygone age, with it’s steep narrow streets not made for modern transport. It was so quite we could not even treat ourselves to a coffee as everywhere was closed, but it was very peaceful and we had an interesting wander around. The church was sadly shut and although we waited some time for it to open, it remained closed while we were there. It’s current appearance is the result of restorations in the 18th century; it was founded by Ferdinand and Isabella, after reconquering Malaga. The main 19th century chapel is in neo-baroque style. A Keystone Church with a connection to Lamech. It is said that the Grail rested here from May 2021 to September 2021 for a short time, almost inticingly crossing our own paths on this Quest. A quiet and profound place with maybe hiding a secret or two…
  • San Juan de Baños:  C. Ermita B C. 13 de Cerrato. Palencia: After another journey across sparse dusty mountain terrain we arrived at the very profound  and tiny church of San Juan Bauutista, Banos de Cerrato, right in the middle of almost nowhere. We had to wait for it to be opened, but as it is a destination for pilgrims and truth seekers alike it is opned at a certain time each day. The church is a stone Early Medieval church, dedicated to St John the Baptist in the village of Banos, de Cerrato, ancient Balneos in the province of Palencia , central Spain. In Roman times opportunities were found for vacations and relaxation, with many private villas seen on the landscape, it was an important area, and once again it seems that the Romans knew a thing or two and it is of no co-incedence that our present day journey mirrors their past journey. The church built on an older site by Visgothic king Recceswinth of Hispania, in the year 661. it has a consecration inscription over the entrance, which is also preserved in a codex of the 10th century, copied from a Toledan manuscript from the 8th century. A literal translation would be: “Forrunner of the Lord, martyr John the Baptist owns this seat, built as an eternal gift which i myself King Recesvinto, devotee and lover  of your name, dedicated to you in his own right, in the third year, after the tenth, as an illustious companion of the kingdom, in the Era, six hundred and ninety-nine”. Excavations were carried out in 1956 and 1963 which revealed many interesting medieval buildings and artifacts. It is a Keystone Church: not disclosed up until this point, but in September 2021 the Grail arrives at this point in time, for a very short time, and the time distance between ‘us’ and the Grail is getting so enticingly closer… The Ancestry Line is to Lamech.

To be continued…..

 

 

Church of Saint James the Great Alborache: Pl. Iglesia 1, Alborache, Valencia:

 

‘The Keeper of Scrolls’

 moon.willow@ntlworld.com

ublished March 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STAY NEAR BARCELONA

 

SANTA MARIA SANT NICOLAU

 

ROMAN VILLA

 

SANTA MARIA CHURCH IN ARENYSEDEMAR

 

MANRESA GOTHIC CHURCH

 

CHURCH OF SAINT JAMES THE GREAT ALBORACHE

 

GRAIL CHURCH TEMPLAR CHURCH BANOSDECERRATO:    

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QUEST 31: ARTHUR’S TABLE: PART TWO

Filed under: KORO, The Quests — Leave a comment
September 13, 2020

QUEST 31 CONT: “Still very much walking in Arthur’s footsteps and continuing our quest for the grail in the magical and beautiful south-west lands of England, we left our apartment in Roman Cirencester on Sunday 2nd of August to travel in a southerly direction towards Plymouth, yet with lots of exciting stops along the way. This day was to take us even nearer to Arthur and The Grail”

‘WHAT DID RALPH LEAVE BEHIND?’     

DAY THREE: SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST: ST MARY REDCLIFFE CHURCH. REDCLIFFE BRISTOL.   

Framed by the River Avon and the Floating Harbour, Redcliffe is a bustling commercial hub. It is home to ancient landmarks such as the medieval, Gothic-style St. Mary Redcliffe Church with its with stained-glass windows and 18th-century ironwork, residential tower blocks and the port of Bristol. It is bounded by the loop of the Floating Harbour to the west, north and east, together with the New Cut of the River Avon to the south.nn Redcliffe takes its name from the red sandstone cliffs which line the southern side of the Floating Harbour. These cliffs are honey-combed with tunnels, known as the Redcliffe Caves, constructed both to extract sand for the local glass making industry and to act as store houses for goods. Interesting to us, in the 12th century, Robert Fitzroy gave the Knights Templar part of Redcliffe, which then became known as Temple Fee. The Templars were granted the power to hold courts and execute felons. This right passed, along with the fee, to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem after the suppression of the Templars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redcliffe,_Bristol

The parish church of  St Mary Redcliffe is an impresive looking church within a setting of green grounds; it is one of Bristol’s best known churches, with the spire at a height of 292 ft (90m) making it the tallest building in the city, and one of the largest parish churches in England, yet sadly on the day we visited, the church was well and truly locked to all visitors. Whether this was due to corona virus or whether it was the policy to keep G-d’s door so unwelcoming is anyone’s guess, but either way the small amount of pilgrims and visitors would pose no threat at all and if the reason was not because of the virus, one does have to question why such an important church would be so locked?

The church itself is an Anglican parish church, the bulding being constructed from the 12th to 15th centuries and has been a place of Christian worship for over 900 years. It was famously described by Queen Elizabeth I, who spoke highly of the church, as “the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England”. Yet the mystery of our quest remains of just what was left behind? Little is left of the earliest churches on the site although a little of the fabric still remaining has been dated to the 12th century. Much of the current building dates from the late 13th and 14th centuries when it was built and decorated by wealthy merchants of the city. The spire fell after being struck by lightning in 1446 and was not rebuilt until 1872. Although the church plan dates from an earlier period, much of the church as it now stands was built between 1292 and 1370 and the first church was built in Saxon times. Obviously there would have been some fascinating artifacts to see, but sadly today we were unable to enter this church.

During the Bristol Blitz in the Second World war a bomb exploded in a nearby street, throwing a rail and tram from the tramway over the houses and into the churchyard of St Mary Redcliffe, where the rail became embedded in the ground. The rail is left there as a monument. An accompanying memorial plaque reads “On Good Friday 11th April this tramline was thrown over the adjoining houses by a high explosive bomb which fell on Redcliffe Hill. It is left to remind us how narrowly the church escaped destruction in the war 1939-45.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary_Redcliffe

St Mary Recliffe – important yet sadly very closed…. <please click on image to enlarge>

GRAIL BLOODLINE CONNECTIONS:  

  • Earl Ralph Neville;1364 Raby Durham (16 xGGF)  “What did Ralph leave behind?”

‘FROM LEFT TO RIGHT’

BRISTOL CATHEDRAL BRISTOL:

Bristol is a city in south-west England with a population of 463,400, between Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south, with South Wales just across the Severn Estuary. Iron Age hill forts and Roman villas were built near the confluence of the rivers Frome and Avon, and also around the beginning of the 11th century, the settlement was known as Brycgstow “the place at the bridge”. Bristol was a starting place for early voyages of exploration to the New World and on a ship out of Bristol in 1497 John Cabot, a Venetian became the first European to land on mainland North America. At the height of the Bristol slave trade from 1700 to 1807, more than 2,000 slave ships carried an estimated 500,000 people from Africa to slavery in the Americas. The Port of Bristol has since moved to the Severn Estuary at Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Dock. Bristol’s modern economy is built on the creative media, electronics and the aerospace industries, and the city-centre docks have been redeveloped as centres of heritage and culture.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol

BRISTOL CATHEDRAL: formally the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, is a Church of England cathedral in the city of Bristol. Founded in 1140 and consecrated in 1148, it was originally St Augustine’s Abbey but after the  Dissolution of the Monastries it became in 1542, the seat of the newly created Bishop of Bristol and the cathedral of the new Diocese of Bristol. It is a Grade I listed building and as with many of our cathedrals, stunning to look at both inside and out inside, but all spirituality or sacred energies long dissapated. Covid restrictions were very much applying here, so visitor numbers limited yet sadly the visitors whom were there, were unacknowlegded by the clergy there….

In a beautiful setting and ‘Covid ready’ <please click to enlarge>

The eastern end of the church includes fabric from the 12th century, with the Elder Lady Chapel, which was added in the early 13th century. Much of the church was rebuilt in the English Decorated Gothic style during the 14th century despite financial problems within the abbey. In the 15th century the transept and central tower were added. The nave was incomplete at the Dissolution in 1539 and was demolished, but in the 19th century Gothic Revival, a new nave was built. The western twin towers, showing a big similarity with Wells Cathedral in Somerset, designed by John Loughborough Pearson were completed in 1888. The cathedral has tall Gothic windows and in addition to the cathedral’s architectural features, it contains several memorials and an historic organ. Little of the original stained glass remains, some being replaced in the Victorian Era with further losses during the Bristol Blitz.

Stunning to look at yet no spirituality left… <please click to enlarge>

https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Cathedral

GRAIL BLOODLINE CONNECTIONS:

  1. Sir Ralph Neville : 1301 Raby (18 x GGF) ‘From left to right’

“WHAT CONNECTIONS?”

THE NINE MAIDENS STONE CIRCLE/BELSTONE STONE CIRCLE. OKEHAMPTON. After the heat and sterile enviroment of the city i was pleased to be driving all the way to Dartmoor where i knew great adventures and true spirituality would great me. Dartmoor has always had a place in my heart and although it was a long drive, it was a relaxing and enjoyable drive through gorgeous scenery and pretty villages. This was to be the highlight of the day by any mile! When we reached Belstone village it was quite a little trek upwards and over the moors to gain access to the circle and one had to take ones time, but the steady walk was enjoyable and well worth it. There was hardly anyone around and the few folks whom were there were chatty but did not linger. The sacred energies and earth magnetics are very evident and strong here; the St Michael Ley Line runs right through the circle or rather the stone circle was purposefully placed upon the ley line; the frequencies are very strong here and at times felt as if time was truly standing still and the stones breathing…. A powerful place on so many levels, the day being full of revelations…..

The Belstone Circle – full of magic and mystery <click to enlarge>

The Nine Maidens, is a bronze age circle and settlement located near the village of Belstone on Dartmoor, in Devon, and one can still see evidence of the settlement in the landscape all around the circle, and yet it was so much more than that. It is also known as the Seventeen Brothers, for there were in actual fact seventeen stones, including an altar stone, just outside the main circle; in these days is no longer complete. It is said that the circle may have been called the ‘nine maidens’ due to the origins of the number nine and to the connections of the site of the number nine, ie the ninth, the ‘hidden one‘. The number nine in sacred geometry from a Ninansian perspective (grammer and language) means ‘the hidden one’. The number nine has many magical or occult meanings such as the ninth gate, the nine stones, the nine maidens, the nine ships, the nine battles. All relating to the ‘hidden one’, the secret underlying knowledge of Craft. Folks whom are astute and tuned in will certainly pick up on this while visiting the circle and will feel the energies for themselves. And of course there are secrets hidden there that maybe no one in our life times will ever know, things forever hidden from the current cycle of mankind. The stones here are so much more significant than Stonehenge or Avebury yet are almost deserted so maybe the curse is working and is in actual fact a blessing?

The stones here are so much more significant than Stonehenge or Avebury<click to enlarge>

There are many folklore tales attached to the stones and despite the fallen stones of the past, the locals are said to be apprehensive of restoration work, believing that anyone whom tampers with the stones will be cursed. Locals cite a film crew which added an extra stone to the circle in 1985; the ‘curse’ was the unfortunate loss of the only copy of the film, ‘The Circle of Doom’, in the post. The St Michael’s ley line, which runs 350 miles from Lands End to Hopton on Sea, Norfolk, via Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, is one of our points of study and focuss on this quest, and runs right through the Nine Maidens. This ley-line goes through many sites dedicated to St Michael, such as St Michael’s Tower on Glastonbury Tor, with the line matching the sunrise on 8 May when the Catholic Church celebrated the apparition of St Michael. Local folklore too suggests that the stones dance: The stone circles on Dartmoor, are said to have been made “when there were wolves on the hills, and winged serpents in the low lands.” On the side of Belstone Tor, near Okehamton is a small grave circle called “Nine Stones.” It is said to dance every day at noon. The stones are also said to have originally been nine maidens who were cast into stone and damned to dancing every noon for eternity as a punishment for dancing on the Sabbath. Equally, the story has involved seventeen brothers. It is also said that the ringing of the nearby church bells brings them to life.

The Altar Stone and Burial Chamber <click to enlarge>

From our point of view, from a Craft and Quest point of view this is said to be a far more important site in the true tellings of King Arthur, of Lancelot Desposyni and the Fordham line, than even Tintagel, which is a bit of a very big red herring. Also we know that in the distant past the site has in actual fact been used as a burial chamber – yet for whom, being far enough above sea level to be placed forever safe in this realm. I was very relunctant to be leaving the moors and the stones behind after our visit.  So it was a sad farewell and heavy heart i felt in leaving this wild magical beauty behind me to trave to pastures anew. I attained new knowledge up on those moors and felt the energies of the land shift and change, felt time stand still as vibrations pulsed, and dimensions shifted. I felt acknowledged as a part of a whole. Up on the moors, the energies were very strong; a place where the metaphysical truly connected to the physical and whispers on the winds told a hidden tale or two….

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Maidens_stone_circle

GRAIL BLOODLINE CONNECTIONS:

Sir John H. Fordham: 1423 Kelshall Hertfordshire (18 x GGF) ‘What Connections?’

And so after a magical end to day three of Quest 31 we made our way towards our very posh apartment at Phoenix Quay, Plymouth where we would be spending the next three nights. The apartment overlooking the harbour and night ferry terminus to Spain treated us to some lovely views and sunsets from its huge windows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHEFtsG5tjE

Please enjoy our (very windy!) video of Belstone Circle

 

‘The Keeper of Scrolls’ September 2020

‘moon.willow@ntlworld.com’

“Onwards then as our quest continued, to Buckland near Plymouth, Brentnor near Tavistock, Tideford near Saltash, Talland Bay near Loo, Charles Town near St Austell, Trevone near Padstow and Temple near Bodmin. Not all would be opened to us but the ‘jewel in the crown’ would prove to be the amazing Temple Church on Bodmin…”

 

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QUEST 31: ARTHUR’S TABLE: PART ONE

Filed under: KORO, The Quests — Leave a comment
September 4, 2020

‘Our Grail Quest Continues, seeking out the places in these lands that were important to ‘Arthur’ and ‘Lancelot’; following in their footsteps and knowing them and their journeys too…’

QUEST 31: Travelling around the beautiful lands of the south-west was amazing and was everything we had hoped it would be, despite the very intense heat, and being so thankful for air conditioning in the car, our quest was a triumph where much knowledge was assimilated and new places explored. All the apartments stayed in whilst journying had been more than up to scratch and the places visited and knowledge gained has been second to non. As said before, our quests are all for an ultimate purpose within the transitioning sphere of time; past, present and future becoming one as knowledge gainrd becomes personal power…

DAY ONE: FRIDAY 31ST JULY: CIRENCESTER:  With the boundaries of Cambridge left miles behind us, we escaped to the first destination of our quest; the tranquill beauty of Cirencester, a market town in Gloucestershire, 80 miles west of London. Cirencester lies on the  River Churn, a tributary of the Thames, and is the largest town in the Cotswolds. The Roman name for the town was Corinium which is thought to have been associated with the ancient British tribe of the Dobunni, having the same root word as the River Church. The earliest known reference to the town was by Ptolemy in AD 150. I had never been to Cirencester before and it was much prettier and older than i was expecting, and had a most definite ‘Roman’ feel to it, and the ‘energies’ there reminded me of Autun in France.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirencester

 

The Roman town of Corinium, now known as Cirencester <click to enlarge>

“FOUND HIS HEART IN JOHN”

CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST:  Sadly closed due to the virus; a situation that was to follow us around on this quest, we never the less did what we needed to do… The church is a medieval Church of England parish church, and is the largest in Gloucestershire.  Some parts date from the 12th century, though most is from the 15th and 16th centuries, of the perpendicular gothic style. The chancel is the oldest part of the church; construction starting around 1115. To the north of the chancel is St Catherines Chapel, which dates from around 1150 and contains a wall painting of St Christopher carrying the Christ child and vaulting given by Abbot John Hakebourne (whom liked to be simply called John), in 1508. The church was originally part of a monastery (Augustinian), founded here by Henry I in 1117, on the site of an earlier Saxon church replacing an ancient Roman settlement. Because of its size, grandeur and historical importance, the church is known, informally, as the Cathedral of the Cotswolds, and is constructed out of the local yellowish Cotswold limestone, which illuminates lovely in the sun.

Besides the tall tower, the exterior is also notable for the south porch, originally a separate, administration building, connected to the church in the 18th century. The church interior includes five chapels and an assortment of historical artefacts including a 14th century font, a 15th century pulpit, fragments of wall paintings, coats of arms, a collection of tombs and memorials, often very ornate, and the Anne Boleyn cup, given by Anne to a local doctor (Richard Master) who treated her, and presented to the church in 1561. Sadly non of these artifacts did we see due to the church being closed but we took some good exterior photos.

St John the Baptist Church Cirencester <please click to enlarge>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St._John_the_Baptist,_Cirencester

https://www.uksouthwest.net/gloucestershire/church-of-st-john-baptist-cirencester/

Grail Bloodline Connections:

‘UNDERSTOOD THE ROMAN CONNECTION’

THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE: Just a short drive from the main town centre is to be found the wonderful Roman Amphitheatre, which would become in time, the second largest in the UK. Archeological digs have uncovered earthworks revealing the outline of the construction, with the banking reaching 25 feet from the bottom of the arena. The arena itself is approximately 150 feet by 135 feet. Roman artefacts including coins and pottery have been discovered on the site. It is estimated that it was constructed towards the beginning of the 2nd century. The earthworks show evidence of tiered wooden seating, for around 8000 people, placed upon a terraces of stone, although a timber only structure may have existed before the 2nd century. There are two entrances, located at the North-Eastern and South-Western ends of the stadium. During the 5th century, when the Western Roman Empire was under attack and soldiers returned to Rome to defend it, the amphitheatre was fortified to defend against the invading Saxons. Unlike other amphitheatres, it is aligned in parallel to the streets of the town itself. It has also been referred to as the ‘Bull Ring’ due to the ‘sport’ of bull baiting taking place there; yet also ‘human sport’ would have taken place there too. It also has one or two other secrets hidden in plain sight within the arena itself; the Romans of course understanding completely the geo-magnetics of this site…

Corinium’s Amphitheatre <plese click to enlarge>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirencester_Amphitheatre

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cirencester-amphitheatre/history/

‘See our video below for a trip to the Roman Amphitheatre’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKjdx036OHA

GRAIL BLOODLINE CONNECTIONS:

  • James Fordham: 1697 Ware Herts (9 x GGF) ‘Understood the Roman Connection’

So after a very long and busy day we had a lovely meal and coffee in Cirencester, using the (then) new phone scanning method of ordering and paying, before retiring to our very nice apartment for the night.

DAY TWO: SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST: BATH AND AVEBURY. Because of the restrictions of covid we had booked in a time slot for the Roman Baths in the beautiful Roman city of Bath which in many ways is not unlike Cambridge. Bath is the largest city in Somerset, known for and named after the Roman-built baths.  The city became a spa  known as Aquae Sulis (“the waters of Sul”) c. 60 AD when the Romans built baths and a temple in the valley of the River Avon, although  hot springs were known even before then.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath,_Somerset

‘OF SECRET MEETINGS’

THE ROMAN BATHS: It was an extremly hot day and we were so greatful to be queing in the shade of the baths entrance, albeit only for a short while. Navigating the labyrinth of the baths proved to be very challenging due to covid distancing, and although it meant only a few people in any one space at any one time, it did mean movement around the baths was very slow. The baths are very well-preserved and certainly worth a visit. A temple was constructed on the site between 60-70CE in the first few decades of Roman Britain and its presence led to the development of the small Roman settlement known as Aquae Sulis, around the site. The Roman baths, designed for public bathing were used until the end of the Roman rule in Britain in the 5th Century CE. According to the Anglo Saxon Chronocle, the original Roman baths were in ruins a century later but the area around the natural springs was redeveloped several times during the Early and Late Middle Ages. Although i have visited the Roman Baths before, they never cease to amaze me and I wondered upon, what meetings and social occasions must have been held here; many a secret assignations too… Some even say that this was the place where secret meetings were held with King Henry VI himself, in the year 1459 – what were these meetings about i wonder. A hot sacred spring fed from below ground, the Penyquick fault, where ‘fault lines’ hold their own secrets too, looked very inviting…. This was also a place of worship by the Celts, so always sacred and special throughout the years.

The amazing Roman Baths, where new bathing areas are still being discovered were a place of social activity and shall we say ‘fun’ and where a hot spring bubbles up an from underground fault <please click on an image to enlarge>

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Baths_(Bath)

https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/

GRAIL BLOODLINE CONNECTIONS: Barron George Neville: 1440 Aberganveny (14 xGGF) ‘Of secret meetings’

“A MEETING HELD IN SECRET”   “A SECRET TO TELL”

BATH ABBEY & ST THOMAS CHURCH Both sites over time would have had many secrets to keep and maybe keen ears overhearing secrets whispered in the pews would have voved never to tell. One of these meetings held in secret at Bath Abbey was with a king with Jacobs Ladder upon their lips, a meeting so to ‘enhance’ the Ladder, but sadly today due again to ‘Miss Rona’ and social distancing, entry into the Abbey was via a very long queue in sweltering sunshine, which was not possible to do. The abbey is a parish church of the Church of England and a former Benedictine monastery. It was founded in the 7th century and was reorganised in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries; major restoration work was carried out by Sir George Gilbery Scott in the 1860s. It is one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic Architecture in the West Country. Although we were unable to enter in we made notes of the important features of both ‘Jacobs Ladder’ and also the ‘Tree of Life’, both very significant on a Craft level, upon both sides of the entrance to the Abbey.

 

Bath Abbey showing ‘Jacobs Ladder’ and the ‘Tree of Life’ <please click to enlarge>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_Abbey

GRAIL BLOODLINE CONNECTIONS: Barron George Neville: 1440 Aberganveny (14 xGGF)‘A meetig held in secret’

Sadly in respect of St Thomas Church, tucked away on a quite hillside just outside the main centre of Bath (blink and you would miss it) in a very peaceful spot, we yet again found G-ds doors well and truly locked, so lovely exterior photos were all we could manage. St Thomas à Becket Church is a parish church of  Widcombe, Bath and is one of a number of churches named after Thomas Becket and a Grade II listed building. The church was built between 1490 and 1498 by John Cantlow, Prior of Bath Abbey and took the place of an older Norman church. However, there was a common tradition that a weaver was the founder of the church, and an escutcheon bearing a weaver’s shuttle can be seen on the outside of one of the north battlements of the tower. It is believed that there was originally a Saxon chapel on the site. The church was commonly called Old Widcombe Church and used to be the principal church of the parishes of Widcombe and Lyncombe. The Domesday survey of 1086 shows a small settlement around the church although no trace of it remains. the wardens of St Thomas’s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Thomas_%C3%A0_Becket_Church,_Widcombe

https://www.batharchives.co.uk/cemeteries/st-thomas-%C3%A0-becket-and-st-marks-widcombe

St Thomas Church where there are writtings hidden within this church <please click to enlarge>

GRAIL BLOODLINE CONNECTIONS:

  • Barron Edward Neville: 1518 Newton Somerset (12 x GGF) ‘A secret to tell’
  • St Thomas Beckett: Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162; murdered by followers of King Henry II in 1170

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Becket

‘UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF A COLLECTION’

AVEBURY STONE CIRCLE: Thought by many to have ‘pagan’ connections, this enigmatic site may in fact have other secrets to tell, other stories hidden firmly in time with similarities to other significant sites recently visited and connecting to our Craft Quests. Here at Avebury in the beautiful countryside of Wiltshire, important messages were given and recieved (for me), messages that will change my outlook for ever and will forever have far reaching effects (for me) in this physical world. Of course i had been to Avebury on a few occasions before for different reasons, but this time with fresh eyes wide open i saw a very different Avebury indeed, and those marvelous structures whispered a few secrets to me of past times, past ocurences and past peoples. Avebury Stone circle in Wiltshire, contains the largest megalithic stone circle in the world and is a place of many pilgrimages and rituals alike, for modern day pagans. Yet its history does not connect to the pagan world or pagan ways and is certainly not what it is commonly thought to be (even though many say its original purpose is unknown. It was constructed in a different time period than is usually thought; the following link is here for reference only, and the true history and purpose of the site is different than many previously think. It was a lovely day out and the structures were shimmering in the sunshine.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/avebury/

Avebury: modelled to be ‘The Stones of Time’ and created in 3,000 BC (5K years ago) <please click to enlarge>

GRAIL BLOODLINE CONNECTIONS:

  • Sir John H. Fordam: 1423 Kelshal Hertfordshire 918 x GGF) ‘Understood the importance of a collection’

‘Watch our video of our Quest so far: the round up with lots of interesting facts’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdVNWRNvFnQ

“A day where more pieces of the Grail puzzle fell into place and a time and history previously thought known was scattered as ashes to the sands of time”

“The Keeper of Scrolls” September 2020

‘moon.willow@ntlworld.com’

Next: Day three and four: On the Dartmoor trail…..

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THE SACRED SITES OF DEVON & CORNWALL: PART TWO

Filed under: Knight Templar, The Quests — Leave a comment
June 26, 2019

QUEST 27 CONTINUED…

Day Three: St Petrox Church and Dartmouth Castle: It was another gloriously sunny day when we arrived in beautiful Dartmouth; a town and civil parish in the county of Devon; we were on day three of this wonderful adventure. This is a designated area of outstanding beauty and one can easily see why. In 1086, the Domesday Book lists Dunestal as the only settlement in the area, and which now makes up the Parish of Dartmouth. Over time it developed as a port and was of strategic importance as a deep water port for sailing vessels. Interestingly the port was used as the sailing point for the Crusades of 1147 and 1190, and Warfleet Creek, close to Dartmouth Castle, which we also visited, is suposed by some, to be named for the vast fleets that assembled there; later it was also the home of the Royal Navy. The narrow mouth of the port is protected by two fortified castles, Dartmouth Castle and Kingswear Castle. In modern times a Royal Regatta takes place annually over three days at the end of August.

Arriving at beautiful Dartmouth in Devon; a well-known tourist destination on the western bank of the tidal estuary of the River Dart.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dartmouth,_Devon

St Petrox Church: So on Friday 3rd May we made our way across beautiful scenery and moorland to this very special church situated right next door to Dartmouth Castle; St Petrox church is packed with ‘hidden histories’ relating to the Knights Templars, the Nevilles and beyond. Both church and graveyard have a powerful and scenic vantage point overlooking the estuary. The church of St Petrox, which is a grade one listed building, perches above the mouth of the river like a guardian, but its exposed position has presented it with problems and challenges. First recorded in 1192 in deeds relating to Little Dartmouth, St Petrox is referred to as the ‘Monastery of St Peter’. There is little recorded history of the church around this time and there is little more information on what the ‘monastery’ was. It has been suggested that the monastery was perhaps started by the man whose name now graces the church: St Petrox. St Petroc was an interesting saint; a Welsh aristocrat who gave up worldly things and travelled to Ireland to study in piety. Later he ministered around Cornwall where legend has him converting the rather evil Cornish King Constantine to the faith. He was based in Bodmin for a while before heading to the continent, where he is supposed to have met the Pope, travelled to India and beyond and had many fantastical adventures before his death. His bones were held at Bodmin and venerated. However their is a lot more to St Petrox than meets the eye…

https://www.bythedart.co.uk/things-to-do-in-dartmouth/what%27s-in-church%3F—st.-petrox/

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101297086-church-of-st-petrox-dartmouth#.XPfE1497l1s

St Petrox Church with stunning views across the estuary.

This church then is absolutely  steeped in Knights Templar history going back as far as the Crusades and beyond. This part of the castle was built around 1330, yet the history and actual sacred site goes back far beyond that, for many reasons to be learnt about; this really is the only church in the area that is worthwhile to spend time at. It is a must see for anyone interested in templarism and knightly virtues, or indeed who are like us and are actual Templars researching blood lines….

There are many symbols and connections to the Templars here, which you can see explained in detail in the video below. There are connections too, to the Fordham line, which traces back to the Desposyni line and the line of Christ, and to France. There is a very particular tomb in the central isle that screams templarism, displaying a symbol that the Extinction Rebellion group of modern times now use.

There is also reference on one of the windows to Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge (home town of one of us questers) and as what may come as a surprise to many, the city of Cambridge was actually founded on templar money! There is also a plaque near the font displaying the MacAndrew name, which ties us in at this point in time to previous quests. But the most delightful and important discovery is the churches connection to Lancelot! The connection can be seen on the Lancelot stained-glass widow with on the left hand side a German connection, while on the right of the window are the emblems of Lancelot Desposyni himself; one of the ancestors of the Fordham line. As we may already mentioned the Fordhams ‘spawned’ out of Westphalen in Germany and then into France, where they stayed for many centuries, and then from France onto England,  thus linking us into the Arthurian Ledgends and future quests but also connecting us to our up and coming visit to Tintagel

Images above that prove myth and legend have roots firmly in fact & can be traced right back from modern times – exactly what we are doing on these quests! The first two photos connect to Gonville & Caus College in Cambridge, the second two are the stunning Lancelot Desposyni window connecting to the bloodline of our quests, then the familiar Neville sheild & the MacAndrew surname again – all part of the same bloodline! Lastly, the very profound plaque that was hidden behind a curtain in a little ‘cubby hole’ reads “The cup of blessing which we bless is not the communian of the blood of Christ” So lots to pause for thought about..

See our video below for a tour of the church and much more info…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3Q5nmKTT14&t=45s

Dartmouth Castle: The castle seems to sit precariously on the cliff edge where the River Dart meets the English Channel with amazing views out to sea. The day we were there was sunny and the views were spectacular. One can enjoy roaming the castle and learning about its history over several levels; while the narrow winding stairway to the top is challenging; it is a must for the views alone! The castle was begun in 1388 to protect the town and harbour of Dartmouth against French raids during the 100 years war and 100 years later it was strengthened with a gun tower, the first purpose-built coastal artillery for Britain! The castle continued to play an important role in our defences of the land throught out the years – see link for further info.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dartmouth_Castle

St Edmund King & Martyr Church, Kingsbridge: Just a short drive along peaceful country roads bought us to our next scheduled stop which sadly on this occasion was closed to us, so a few shots of the outside will have to suffice. The symbols on the windows looked significant so a shame we could not get in – though we did have a good look aound the town, where there were some amazing charity shops!

The church is an Anglican churched dedicated to St Edmund the Martyr: once a parish church, it is no longer is used for regular worship. St. Edmund’s Church, is mainly in the Perpendicular style and retains some 13th century features including a font, but was enlarged and reconsecrated around 1414. The oldest part of the church is the 13th century crossing tower. The rest of the church is much altered with the addition of a large chapel in 1849. Further rebuilding of the nave was conducted in the late 19th century. There are a few other medieval remains in the south chancel chapel. Parts of the Rood Screen have been used to make the pulpit and the readers desk.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Edmund,_King_and_Martyr

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsbridge

Hope Cove: So the last port of call for the day, for a bit of ‘down time’ and the best vegan pizza i have ever tasted, was the stunningly beautiful ‘Hope Cove’. Hope Cove is a small seaside village within the civil parish of South Huish in South Hams, Devon. It has tw beaches and is sheltered by the headland of Bolt Tail. The name ‘Hope Cove’ may derive tautologically from the Old Norse word hóp meaning “bay” or “small inlet”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Cove

 

  • Bloodline connections: is that of Thomas Neville of Dartmouth, born 25/02/1810 & died 03/01/1893 & our lead questers 4th Great Grandfather. Originally from Tollesbury in Essex & died in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia & a frequent visitor to the area on Templar Business.
  • V. MacAndrew from the plaque in St Petroc’s Church
  • George Fairlie-Clarke from the memorial in church graveyard
  • Lancelot Desposyni of the Fordham line, depictedvon the church window of St Petrocs.
  • Thomas Neville again, connected also to Kingsbridge and Hope Cove

Join us for part three when we discover more secrets of time at Tintagel!

‘The Keeper of Scrolls’ June 2019

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IRELAND: THE LAND OF THE TRUE HIGH KINGS: PART THREE

Filed under: Knight Templar, The Quests — Leave a comment
October 27, 2018

IRELAND: QUEST TWENTY SIX:

Day Four: Dublin: Although sadly we never had time to see anything of the city of Dublin as such, i did manage a few quick photos whilst traveling to our designated destinations, but certainly a city to come back to and explore at leisure.

 

Driving through Dublin!

 St Andrews Church: Although we were unable to actually stop here due to location and parking challenges, we did indeed drive past and acknowledged that it is now the Central Tourist Office for Dublin! Times change, people change and the use of buildings change, but let us not be sad as it is indeed good to see the building being used and vibrant, even though not in a religious sense.

The original St Andrews Church was located on present-day Dame Street, but disapeared during Oliver Cromwell’s reign in the mid-17th century. A new church was built in 1665, a little further away from the city walls and due to its shape was commonly known as the ‘Round Church’. Thomas Dalton, Lord Chancellor of Ireland was buried here in 1730. The population of the parish in 1901 was 3,058, in 1971 it was 300. It has to be noted also that there is a high Lithuanian population here.

You can read more about St Andrews Church in the link below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Andrew%27s_Church,_Dublin_(Church_of_Ireland)

 

  • Bloodline Connections: Both Albert John Fordham (1928-1987) and John Fordham (1892) were baptised here.
  • Also connection to the Neville line.

Christ Church Cathedral/The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity: This is the cathedral of the United Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough and the cathedral of the Ecclesiastical Province of the United Provinces of Dublin and Cashel in the Church of Ireland. It is the elder of the capitals two medieval churches being founded in c.1030, the other being St Patricks Cathedral. There were extensive renovations being carried out while we were there which were tad disorientating, but the hoardings themselves were fun and very photogenic in themselves, giving an opurtunity for some colourful photography!

 

Christ Church Cathedral: There are many richly sumptuous artifacts and fine decor here, yet at the same time there are equally (or in fact more) relevant and important histotical artifacts seemingly hidden away in corners…

 

The ‘hidden’ artifacts; many of which relate directly to ‘The Neville’ bloodline; but just why would they be kept low key and mostly unmarked?

Christ Church is officially claimed as the seat (cathedra) of both the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic archbishops of Dublin. The cathedral was founded probably sometime after 1028 when King Sitric Silkenbeard, the Hiberno-Norse king of Dublin made a pilgrimage to Rome. The first bishop of this new Dublin diocese was Dunan or Donat; the diocese was at that time a small island of land surrounded by the much larger  Diocese of Glendalough and was for a time answerable to Canterbury rather than to the Irish Church hierarchy. The church was built on the high ground overlooking the Viking settlement at Wood Quay and Sitric gave the “lands of Baldoyle, Raheny and Portrane for its maintenance.” Of the four old Celtic Christian churches reputed to have existed around Dublin, only one, dedicated to St Martin of Tours lay within the walls of the Viking city, and so Christ Church was one of just two churches for the whole city.

 

Some of the amazing and priceless artworks in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin; more photos from this cathedral can be seen in the section on Celtic Crosses (part one) and Templar Symbolism (part two)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Church_Cathedral,_Dublin

https://christchurchcathedral.ie/visit-us/

Right next door to the cathedral is a venue known as Dublinia; a historical recreation (or living history) museum and visitor attraction focusing on the Viking and  Medieval history of the city. Dublinia is located in a part of Christ Church Catherdral, known as the Synod Hall.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublinia

  • Bloodline connection is to the Neville line

St Patrick’s Cathedral: Dublin: On this occasion, although on our itinery, we never actually made it to St Patricks Catherdral which was some distance away; the journey had been fairly long getting to Dublin from our base that morning and still lots lay ahead. But hopefully in the future was shall be sure to visit. Please do follow the links though to read up about it:

https://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/learn/life-and-history/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Patrick%27s_Cathedral,_Dublin

 

  • Bloodline connection is to the Neville line

St Nicholas Parish Church: Dundalk: After another drive through the Irish countryside we arrived in the busy town of Dunalk in County Louth; part of the diocese of Armagh. This is a bustling and very friendly town, it’s name in Irish is Dún Dealgan, which means “Dalgan’s fort” and it is the county town of County Louth. It is on the Castletown River, which flows into Dundalk Bay, and is near the border with Northern Ireland, halfway between Dublin and Belfast, so we had travelled a fair few miles that day. It has associations with the mythical warrior hero  Cu Chulainn.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundalk

 

St Nicholas Parish Church, sits on a busy road junction in the heart of the town, surrounded by local shops, cafes and takeaways. Again once inside it is a beautiful church with a very peaceful energy. The original church was built in the 1220’s and some parts of the church have not born the ravishes of time very well, while in other parts restoration has been carried out.

 

The interior of St Nicholas Church

A Dr. Oliver Davies, who examined all the old churches of County Louth in 1945, put the probable date of the church in the thirteenth century and considered that it was the need of a rising seaport which called for its erection. In this connection it is suggestive that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of merchant venturers by sea, and that many sea ports have churches dedicated in his name. During the troubled times of the Rebellion in 1641-50, when Dundalk was taken by assault, and of the campaigns of Schomberg and James II, 1688-90, the church fabric became sadly damaged. It was re-roofed in part in 1702, as a stone in the vestry records, when Rev. Ralph Lambert was vicar, it was “restored in a new and more elegant form.” and as is the case for so many churches restoration continued down the centuries.

 

For a parish church St Nicholas did have some rather stunning stained-glass windows

https://www.stnicholas-greenchurchdundalk.com/history

http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LH&regno=13701004

  • Bloodline Connection: the home of the ‘Fallen’ Nevilles of the Great War with actual records of the returned on ‘The Returned Army’ page.
  • NEVILLE, C, Royal Irish Rifles. From Church Street, Dundalk. (Tempest’s Annual 1916)
  • NEVILLE, Sapper, E V, 68 Division, Signal Corps, Royal Engineers. From New Street, Dundalk. (Tempest’s Annual 1916)
  • NEVILLE, Lieutenant, ERNEST W, Royal Engineers (Telegraphist). (Tempest’s Annual 1917)
  • NEVILLE, Sergeant, W, Royal Army Service Corps. From New Street, Dundalk.(Tempest’s Annual 1916)
  • NEVILLE, WILLIAM,  HMS Anemone. From 1 Brunswick Row, Dundalk. (Tempest’s Annual 1916)

Actual Records here:- http://www.jbhall.freeservers.com/the_returned_army_page_d.htm

Day Five: Belfast Jewish Community: As part of the Priory teachings we endevour to gain insight and understandings of all the earthly religions; to see common threads but also differences too. The Jewish community in Belfast dates back to 1079, but this building here was built in the 1960’s; as well as a temple of prayer and service it is also a community hub. The people there were very friendly and welcoming, and to someone who’s first time this was, the ladies kindly guided and engaged me in the service which was a massive three hours long due to the time of year!

DSC06586

It is quite a big building; much bigger inside than it appears on the outside and  is decorated  in a modern style with lots of blue and light coloured wood. As expected, treasures of the religion are housed there for services, but as there was a service taking place when we visited (our reason for going) i was unable to take any photos. It has to be noted though that even in these so called enlightened times, there was a small police presence outside the building the whole time that worship was taking place.

http://www.belfastjewishcommunity.org.uk/history/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast_Hebrew_Congregation

 

Bloodline Connection: The Neville line

St Anne’s Cathedral: Belfast: A beautiful building with the largest Celtic Cross on the outside that i have ever seen! St Anne’s Cathedral, also known as Belfast Cathedral, is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Donegall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is unusual in serving two separate dioceses (Connor and Down and Dromore). A cathedral is the place where a bishop has a seat but Belfast Cathedral is unusual in having the seats of two bishops – the Bishop of Connor and the Bishop of Down & Dromore. It is the focal point of the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast.

 

The first architect was Sir Thomas Drew, the foundation stone being laid on 6 September 1899 by the Countess of Shaftesbury. The old parish church of St Anne by  Francis Hiorne of 1776 had continued in use, up until 31 December 1903, while the new cathedral was constructed around it; the old church was then demolished. The Good Samaritan window, to be seen in the sanctuary, is the only feature of the old church to be retained in the cathedral.