Tag Archive: Knights Templar


St Materianna’s Three Ladys

“So off we went on Quest 35 to Wales and the West Country. It is always a great pleasure to travel through these very special lands in search of our (Craft) history and to be able to join up more dots and allow the pieces of this real-life puzzle to fall into place. As always we experienced ‘watchful’ eyes looking over us and ‘time and space’ dancing round us. Again i am streamlining my write-ups in order to catch up – but more can be added over time, either here or as seperate posts. I am not including links this time as good info and webpages are not easy to find, but be asured all the relevant info is here and if folks are interested, anyone can do a web search”.

Day one: Wednesday 31st August 2022:

  • St Edward the Confessor Church: 6 Church Street. Leek: Restored in 1839 AD. The original Norman church burnt down in 1297 AD. We were not alone on this occasion, for as has happened on numerous past quests a Watcher, whom turned up out of nowhere, sat in the church keeping a watchful eye on us. Ancestry line: Lord Robert De Neville 1240 AD born Raby Castle (20xGGF)

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

St Edward the Confessor Church. Leek

A four night stay at Evenjobb. Wales

Day two: Thursday 1st September 2022:

  • St Davids Church: Heyope Road. Heyope. Knighton: A previous site of St Marys Church in 1462, which was flood damaged, thus St Davids was built in 1844 AD. Ancestry line: Lord Edward Neville 1471 AD born Raby Castle. Died 18th Oct 1476 Priory Church. Abergavenny (13xGGF) (Was at this church in 1451, prior to flood that damaged the church)
  • Knighton Museum: 1 Broad Street. Knighton: A map in the museum that was donated holds a firm clue to the Grail itself.
  • St Edwards Church: Church Road. St Edwards Close. Knighton: The church tower is of Medieval origin from 1366/1368 AD. The restoration is from 1752 AD, and further in 1877 AD. “The centre of the Earth. Holding the secrets of Atlantis Itself”.  A peaceful energy here. Ancestry line: Lord Edward Neville 1471 AD born Abbergavenny. A direct connection to Lord Robert De Neville 1172-1248. 78 years. Raby Castle. A connection to the area and knowledge. The start of the Neville surname in respect of May 1254, who took her mothers surname upon her death.
  • St Mary Magdalene Church: Bleddfa. Beacon Hill. Radnor: ‘The Place of the Wolf‘. Bleddfa means ‘the abode of wolves’, and wolves were still to be found in Radnor Forest until Tudor times. The church dates from the early 13th century and latter part also. The wooden bellcote dates from 1711, and the south porch is 15th century. For many years a mysterious mound at the west end of the church was thought to be a prehistoric burial chamber, but when it was excavated in the 1960s it was discovered to be the base of a substantial stone tower to the church. Excavations showed that the tower had been burned down, assumed to have happened during the revolt of Welsh patriot Owain Glyndwr in the 15th century. A connection here to royalty too, but maybe not in a way expected…  A Keystone Church: not all is as it seems….
  • Arthurs Stone: Dorstone. Hereford: A Neolithic tomb dating to 3700 BC. A place so great in its time that many came to worship here, but now at the side of a small road. Two knights fought here during the War of the Roses (1455-1487) Knight Turberville was killed here. Ancestry line: Barron George Neville: 1440 AD born Abergavenny. It has been suggested that Lord Edward Neville 1417-1476 (16xGGF) Ist Lord of Abergavenny fought  Knight Turberville.

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

St Edwards Church. Knighton

Day three: Friday 2nd September 2022:

  • St John the Baptist Church: Stokesay. Craven Arms: The original chapel was buit in 1150 AD, as a chapel for the castle. Restored in 1654 AD, with past Norman features visable. Ancestry line: Earl Gospatrick Mac Maldred 1042 AD born Bamburgh. Northumbria (25xGGF) Area connection to Lord Maldred Fitz Dolfin born Raby Castle 1157 AD-1183 AD
  • Land of the Lost Content: The Old Market Hall. Market St. Craven Arms: Museum of collectables from throughout time. A point of interest.
  • Hopton Castle: Craven Arms: “In Hopton’s mound one can truly see, a sight of sights for eternity” A peaceful site with lovely energies, but with ‘pockets’ of time standing still or of being of ‘no-time’, further still a link lay here with the Mark of ‘Eternity’.  Ancestry line: Lord Uchtred Fitz Maldred 1075 born Raby Castle. (24xGGF)
  • Clun Castle: Newport Street. Clun. Craven Arms: A Norman Castle established by a Norman Lord in 1033 AD, as ‘odd’ as that may sound. Ancestry line: Lord Uchtred Fitz Maldred 1075 born Raby Castle (24xGGF) Area connection to Knight Tescelin (Clarke) born 1040-1085 AD in Dijon France. As we have visited this castle previously, and it was  arather long walk over rough terrain, we declined on this occasion.

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

St John the Baptist Church. Stokesey

Day four: Saturday 3rd September 2022:

  • St Laurences Church:  2 College Street. Ludlow: Built in 1056 AD when the Normans founded Ludlow itself in the late 11th century. A large and bustling church which seemed very popular as a tourist atrraction. Ancestry line: Lord Edward Neville 1471 AD born Abergavenny (13xGGF)
  • Ludlow Market: Historic market town and a point of interest.

Day five: Sunday 4th September 2022:

  • Holy Trinity Church: Watermoor Road. Cirencester: Built in 1872 AD on a much older site that is said to be the gateway to the ‘Middle-Land’. Contains some very significant and important artwork within… Ancestry line:Lieutenant Ralph Neville 1832 AD born Lewes Sussex. (3xGGF) A Keystone Church: The Grail was said to have been here from 49 AD-78 AD, for 29 years.

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

Holy Trinity Church. Cirencester

A four night stay at Otter Rise near Honiton

Day six: Monday 5th September 2022:

  • St Benedicts Church: Benedict Street. Glastonbury: Built in 1363 AD replacing an 11th century Norman chapel, originally dedicated to St. Benigows, a great freind of St. Patrick. Ancestry line: Lord John Neville 1337 AD born Raby Castle (17x GGF) A Keystone Church: The Grail was here from 37 AD-49 AD for 12 years.
  • Glastonbury Abbey & King Arthur’s Tomb: Magdalene Street. Glastonbury: Built 765 AD, a fire occurred in 1184 AD, rebuilt in 1269 AD. Ancestry line: John Clarke 1746 AD born Farway Devon (5xGGF). Also a connection to Lancelot Desposyni born 520 AD in Bretayne France.
  • Chalice Well: Chilkwell Street. Glastonbury: A place of spirituality and peace for more than 2000 years. Lovely energies and a true sanctuary in time. Ancestry line: John Clarke 1746 AD born Farway Devon (5xGGF)

Day seven: Tuesday 6th September 2022:

  • Church of St Decuman: Brenden Road. Watchet: the chancel was built in 1263 AD, with ‘add-ons’ in 1497 AD. It is said that a ‘Watcher’ once revealed himself at this place. Ancestry line: Sir Thomas Woodchurch 1216 AD born Woodchurch Kent (23xGGF)
  • Barrow Mump and St Michael’s Church: Barrow Bridge. Taunton: A medieval church on top of Barrow Mump and seen for miles around, built 1439 AD, also known as St Michael’s Borough. “A place of great spirituality and the gate to all knowledge”. Wonderful views across the surrounding countryside if one is up for the challenge of the climb – as i certainly was! It is a scheduled monument and a grade two listed building; the church ruin on top. Although there is some evidence of Roman visitation, the first fortification of the site was the construction of a Norman motte. It hs been called King Alfred’s Fort, however there is no proof of use by King Alfred the Great. Ancestry line: Sir Thomas Woodchurch 1216 AD born Woodchurch Kent (23xGGF)
  • All Saints Church: The Hill. Langport: Of 12th century origins and rebuilt in the 15th century. The East window is of Medieval glass still. The ghost of a monk is said to ‘roam’ the church and grounds shouting prayer to ward off the evil spririts.
  • The Hanging Chapel: The Hill. Langport: A 13th century archway or gateway that spans the road, built in 1229 AD. Previously known as Chantry Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It became a masonic hall in 1891 and is currently leased to Portcullis Freemasons Lodge, by the town council.

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

St Decuman Church. Watchet

Day eight: Wednesday 7th September 2022:

  • Boscastle: Like Tintagel, a lot less energy now than ever once was, for many reasons known to Craft. But still a nice experience to wander around this pretty town.
  • King Arthurs Great Halls: Fore Street. Tintagel: A magificant building which has become a popular tourist attraction due to the ‘King Arthur’ legends, and still used by the Freemasons. A sacred underground spring flows onto the nearby land which is sadly not accesable – we did ask! But the experience is well worth a look…
  • St Materiana’s Church: Tintagel: A beautiful church, both magical and inspirational, that stands alone on the cliff top and a church close to both our hearts. The first church here was built in the 6th century, the present one in th 12th century. This would be my third visit, a profound and spiritual place with meanings in time that belong to me and my connection to our lady Mary Magdalene… Ancestry line: Barron Christopher Neville 1587 AD born Birling Kent (10xGGF)

One conclusion and obervation i can take from Quest 35 would be the prolification of Craft animal symbolism in evidence, especially the wolfe, the eagle and the serpent or dragon, in particular the serpent which seemed to appear in almost every church, it is as if there was a message there somewhere…. Here are a selection.

The Serpents of Quest 35

 

‘The Keeper of Scrolls’

Published March 2023

moon.willow@ntlworld.com

QUEST 34: HIGHER LAND

“The Isles of Orkney. Wild and free in time and space. A purposeful past”

From Yorkshire and the North, to Scotland, the beautiful Orkney Isles, the magical Isle of Mull, back through Durham, Nottingham and home. So many memories, so much to catch up on, so much beauty to embrace. You will notice my write-ups being more concise this time due to the longer quest, though i may add more over time.

Day one: Friday 25th Feb 2022:

  • St Edith Church: Pulverbatch. Shewesbury: A peaceful church of medieval origins, rebuilt in 1853, the west tower in 1773. Lovely energies, set in the heart of the beautiful Shropshire countryside. A Keystone Church. It is said that the Grail was here in 368 AD-450 AD.
  • The Church of the Holy & Undivided: Edale. Hope Valley: Was dark and closed. An earlier church was on the site in 1633 and prior to that a chapel was on the grounds. In 1886 a new church was consecrated. Flickerings, orbs and beams of light were observed. We were not alone on this occasion. A Keystone Church. It is said that the Grail was there from 143 AD-182 AD.

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_the_Holy_and_Undivided_Trinity,_Edale

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

St Ediths Church. Pulverbatch.

A two night stay in Kendal

Day two: Saturday 26th Feb 2022:

  • St John the Baptist Church: Skelsmergh. Kendal: Set in the beautiful rolling countryside of Westmorland, built in 1869 on an older foundation. A Keystone Church with good energies. It is said that the Grail was here from 311 AD-368 AD.
  • Holy Trinity Church: Coverham. North Yorkshire: Peaceful but closed. Built 1223 AD. Ancestry Line: Lord Robert De Neville. B.1223 Coverham. Yorkshire. England. D. 6th June 1282. Middleham. Yorkshire. England. 59 years. (21xGGF) 2nd of the ‘New Neville’ line. It is said there is a link here to both the Holy Grail and to Infinity…   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinity_symbol
  • Malham Cove: Malham. Skipton: Known as ‘Devils Rock’ in times gone by. Interesting ‘happenings’ that very dark night we were there. Aligned energy. Dark void. Moonless sky. The void in space and time. The site of ‘Landings’. Ancestry Line: Lord Maldred Fitz Dolfin. 1157 Raby Castle. Durham. England.1183 Raby Castle. Durham. England. (23xGGF)

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Trinity_Church,_Coverham

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

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

St John the Baptist Church. Skelsmergh.

Day three: Sunday 27th Feb 2022:

  • Saint Andrews Church of Scotland: 1 Church Place. Moffat: Donald very kindly specially let us in, as it was closed. Built in 1055 AD on the grounds of an older chapel. Ancestry Line: Lord Gilladomnan of the Isles. 824-885. Dull. Caithness. Scotland (33xGGF)
  • Tweedsmuir Kirk: Glebe House, Tweedsmuir. Biggar: Kept open for us by a kind lady. Built in 1874 Ad on a much older site. Ancestry Line: Lord Gilladomnan of the Isles. 824-885. 61 years. Dull. Perthshire. Caithness. Scotland (33xGGF)
  • Saint Mary of Wedale: Stow. Galashiels. Shut but a beam of Light and an apparitions were seen. Built in1876, but with the chapel according to history being one mile away. It has been claimed that Stow was the scene of one of the victorious battles won by ‘King Arthur’ over the Saxons, and the story also goes that Arthur founded the first church the first church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. A Keystone Church with connections to the Neville Line. It is said that a chamber below, that is now the church held the Grail from 182-191 for nine years.

https://www.standrewsmoffat.org/visitor-information

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/peebles/tweedsmuirkirk/index.html

https://www.stowandheriotchurch.org.uk/950847804546.htm

A three night stay in Bathgate. Scotland

Day four: Monday 28th Feb: Rest Day.

Day five: Tuesday 1st March 2022:

  • Rosslyn Chapel: Chapel Loan. Roslsyn: Built in 1446, known all all over the Earthly plane, famous for featuring in films and books and for always capturing the imagination. It still has many secrets and stories yet to tell…  It took 40 years to build and was founded by Sir William Sinclair, the 11th Barron of Roslin and 3rd Prince of Orkney. The Sinclairs and Nevilles are connected, due to them being cousins. The famous ‘Appentice Pillar’ is actually named ‘The Princes Pillar’, the name having  morphed due to a legend in the 18th century. A Keystone Church,  It is said that the Grail was here in 191-217, hidden in a vault beneath the chapel, for 26 years.
  • Uttershill Castle: 10 Pomathorn Road. Peniculk: A ruin undergoing maybe some renovations, as all now behind safety fencing, but still plenty left to see, with amazing views across the valley. Built in 1604 AD. Ancestry Line: Sir Edward Neville (14xGGF) had connections to the area, 1471-1538 (8th Dec) of Abergavenny. Monmouthshire. Wales. Beheaded at Tower Hill. London. Middlesex. England.
  • Kelvinbridge Parish Church: 99 Garriochmill Rd. Glasgow: Built 1899 on a much older site. The area today i feel, has seen much better times, but one gets a feeling that it was lovely in ‘it’s day’. A Keystone Church. The Grail is said to have been here for 14 years from 297 AD- 311 AD.

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

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

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

Day six: Wednesday 2nd March 2022:

  • Dunkeld Cathedral: 10 Cathedral Street. Dunkeld: Closed. Cold. Low energy. The original construction dates from 1574 AD, this building was built  between 1260 AD- 1501 AD. It is not formally a ‘cathedral’ as the church of Scotland nowadays has neither cathedrals of bishops. . Ancestry Line: Connections to Governor Duncan Mac Donachadh, 920 Dunkeld. Perthshire – 965 Battle of Duncrub. Perthshire. Scotland (30xGGF)
  • Blair Atholl & Struan Parish Church: Cold. Closed. Low energy, yet in pleasant enough countryside. The energy lines of the MacAndrews & Nevilles meet here. Ancestry Line: Lord Duncan Mac Donachadh. 949 Atholl. Perthshire. Scotland. 1045 Atholl. (29xGGF)
  • The Church of the Holy Rood: 58 Maule Street. Carnoustie. Cold. Closed. Low energy. Built in 1836 AD, on an older site of a Gothic style chapel. Carnoustie is considered to be the ‘Brighton of the North’. A Keystone Church. The Grail is said to have been here for 15 years from 217 AD-232AD.

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

http://www.scottishchurches.org.uk/sites/site/id/959/name/Blair+Atholl+and+Struan+Parish+Church+Blair+Atholl+Tayside

http://www.scottishchurches.org.uk/sites/site/id/4510/name/Holy+Rood+Episcopal+Church%2C+Carnoustie+Carnoustie+Tayside

A two night stay in Aberdeenshire. Scotland

Day seven: Thursday 3rd March 2022:

  • Holy Trinity Church: 5 Trinty Place. Elgin: Built in 1826 AD with direct links to the Fordham line through marriage via the McAndrews lineage. The church is set right in the middle of the town on a busy road, yet very beautiful and peaceful inside, with some very relevant Craft symbols and features. We were specially let in by the kind Reverend. A Keystone Church. The Grail was said to have been here for nine years from 232 AD-241 AD.

http://www.scottishchurches.org.uk/sites/site/id/515/name/Elgin+Holy+Trinity+Church+Elgin+Grampian

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

Holy Trinity Church. Elgin.

Day nine: Friday 4th March 2022:

  • Invergordon Parish Church: Castle Road. Invergordon: Very closed and looked very empty too. Built in 1560 AD on an old style chapel site. Where the Sinclair line crosses into the Neville Line.  Ancestry Line: Earl Dungad of Caithness had a connection to the area. 871 AD-910 AD, Caithness. Scotland. (32xGGF)

https://www.invergordonparishchurch.org.uk/parishProfile.html

Day eight: Saturday 5th March 2022:

  • St Fergus Church: High Street. Wick. Very important to Craft. Full of amazing symbolism relating to the Grail and many other aspects of our quests. Has a very ‘tardis’ feel to it. A Keystone Church. The Grail was said to have been here for 56 years from 241 AD-297 AD resting in a lower chamber nearby… Old St Fergus Church and graveyard is also nearby and has a very important significance, and well worth a visit. There are some amazing old headstones and carvings there the see.
  • Dunnet Head: Dunnet Head Lighthouse. Brough. Thurso: At the very end of the UK, spectacular scenery with many points of interest, the very end of the land!. Very wild and windy.

https://canmore.org.uk/site/9136/wick-high-street-old-st-fergus-church-and-graveyard

A two night stay in Thurso

Day nine: Sunday 6th March 2022:

  • The Italian Chapel: Lamb Holm. Orkney. A very pretty and unusual chapel with an interesting history. A point of interest but sadly very closed on this very bright and very cold day.

A four night Stay in Quoloo, Orkney

Day ten: Monday 7th March 2022. Rest Day:

Day eleven: Tuesday 8th March 2022:

  • St Magnus Cathedral: Broad Street. Kirkwell. A magnicant building, full of mystery and history and maybe a few secrets too. Construction began in 1137 and continued for 300 years. A very cold day but could have spent many hours in there. Many interesting headstones nad carvings to be found there and many other fine monuments too.
  • The Ring of Brodgar: Stromness. A national monument, a Neolithic henge and stone circle with world heritage status. Extremely windy and exposed here, but Karl escorted me to the stones as the winds tried to knock me off my feet. ‘Time out of time’ here, and ‘out of our time’ for sure… The stones and the wind hold their own counsel here, for only the few shall really know their tales….

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

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

Day twelve: Wednesday 9th March 2022: Planned visits closed:

Day thirteen: Thusday 10th March 2022. Fare thee well to The Orkneys:

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

From the Orkney Isles: The Quests so far….

A four night stay in Argyll and Bute

Day fourteen: Friday 11th March 2022:

  • Lochbuie Standing Stones: Isle of Mull. The Isle of Mull is a truly magical place that seems to drift in and out of time. Many riddles and secrets make sense here as the unknown becomes the known to the few. A place where the Ethergilan meets, some say a portal… Sadly part of the stones which would have been ideal for disabled access was on privately owned land, and the public path from the road was a long distance to walk. But see the stones we still did manage too…
  • St Kildas Church: Isle of Mull: Lost in time to all but the astute travellers, but actually built in 1876. A place of interest and understandings. ‘A place of greatness’ with a ‘tardis’ quality and some interesting features both inside and out that could easily be missed. But just who was St Kilda, some say he was a mythical person, some say someone else entirely.
  • Pennygown Chapel: Isle of Mull: Aspects of reality are to be found here, a chapel that drifts in and out of time. It is said that on the sunrise of the day of judgement Pennygowan will rise up from its roots… A very magical place.

https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=491

https://www.alamy.com/st-kildas-church-lochbuie-isle-of-mull-inner-hebrides-scotland-uk-image385673704.html

https://www.britainexpress.com/scotland/Strathclyde/churches/pennygown-chapel-mull.htm

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

St Kildas Church. Isle of Mull.

Day fifteen: Saturday 12th March 2022:

  • St Columba Church: Midton Road. Ayr:  Built in 1898 AD on a much older site. Quite an imposing building, on a busy urban road junction, with some interesting stained glass inside. A Keystone Church. The Grail was said to be here  for 17 years from 1509 AD to 1526 AD.

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/200357049-ayr-st-columba-church-midton-road-ayr-ayr#.Y_5NUx_P1PY

A two night stay in Kilmarnock

Day sixteen: Sunday 13th March 2022: Rest day:

Day seventeen: Monday 14th March 2022:

  • St Cuthberts Church: North Road. Durham: In pretty grounds, built in 31/05/1827 replacing two older chapels but sadly closed for renovations the day we were there. Felt very out of season with current time. Ancestry Line: Lord Uchtred Fitz Maldred. 1075-1120 45 years. Raby Castle. Durham. UK. (25x GGF) A Keystone Church. The Grail was said to have rested here for 36 years from 1473 AD-1509 AD.

https://www.thisisdurham.com/things-to-do/st-cuthberts-north-road-p953671

A two night stay in Worksop

Day eighteen: Tuesday 15th March 2022:

  • All Saints Church: Raleigh Street. Nottingham. Full of interesting and relevant artworks inside. A Keystone Church with Grail clues inside.

Grail Quest Video Link: Craft information and symbolism explained:

Our last days round-up!

Arrive home in Cambridge on Wednesday 16th March after a truly incredible quest where time and tide told their secrets to those whom could see. But does the mystery deepen or become clearer over time?

‘More than one nod to the enigmatic and mysterious ‘Fisher King’ here in St Kildas Church on Mull.

‘The Keeper of Scrolls’

moon.willow@ntlworld.com

Published 23/02/2023

 

 

England into Wales…..

And so we are on day one of another epic Quest into Eire. We will be travelling through England, into Wales across the seas from Hollyhead through to Dublin, then travelling in a mostly south westerly direction through Eire via some most amazing rugged scenery, of both coast and mountains. An epic journey through time and history on this quest in the blazing trail of the enigmatic Grail. We will be connecting to St Michael at many points, as we have always done through times mysterious passage. We will be travelling to the heart of many mysteries both physical and metaphysical in our Grail quest (also both physical and metaphyical) to unravel the mystery and beauty of the grail….

 

 

Day One: 12th September 2021: St Michael’s Church, Bray, Berkshire: Bray, is a large suburban village and civil parish in the county of Berkshire, sitting on the banks of the River Thames. The civil parish is far larger than the village itself and includes a number of other villages and hamlets, it had a population of 8,425 at the 2001 census. Bray has some exclusive housing, known, in the press as ‘Millionaires’ Row’, and Monkey Island in the Thames is associated with the 3rd Duke of Marborough and houses two structures that he built and furnished with paintings of monkeys, and the architecturally grade 1 listed building, Monkey Island Hotel. The Jesus Hospital is a red-brick group of almshouses founded in 1609 by William Goddard to house thirty-four of the aged poor of Bray and six of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, to which he belonged.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bray,_Berkshire

St Michaels, Bray is a grade 2 listed building and a Keystone church, dating from 1293, supposedly to replace a Saxon Church at  Water Oakley. It was partly rebuilt ca.1500 and extensively restored in 1857–82 by Thomas Henry Wyatt. It has a number of sculptures which may have come from the earlier church, including a damaged Sheela na Gig. The church contains several brasses from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries, notably that of 1378 to Sir John Foxley, the Constable of Southampton Castle. Sadly we could noy get in but did manage to take some very presentable shots through the glass windows of the church porch.

St Michael’s Church, Bray – shots taken from church porch <click to view>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Michael%27s_Church,_Bray

It is said that the Grail could have arrived in this area around 450 AD, in the era known as the ‘Saxon’ period when there was much migration going on from places such as Germany and Norway into the old kingdom of England. People were transient then, and with them, their possesions too. Like most churches, this current church is a replacement for a much older church. Many myths and legends surround the building of the older church. St Michaels is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1066, when at that time it was located at the site of an old Roman cemetry. If the Grail did journey here, as suggested,  to St Michaels, it would probably have been a very challenging journey.

You can read more about the Keystone churches and the journey of the Grail in the forthcoming book ‘When thw Trumpet Sounds’ by Mr Karl Neville on Amazon:

Grail Bloodline Connections:

  • A Keystone Church
  • St Michael – past, present and future.

St Michael’s Church, Cefnllys, Llandrindod: Cefnllys is an abandoned ghost village, formerly a medieval castle town and boriugh near Llandrindod Wells in Wales. The settlement was founded during the 13th century by the Mortimer family in order to strengthen their hold on land in the vicinity of the Cefnllys Castle, with which the town was closely associated. The town was probably intended to become the primary settlement of the lordship and cantref of Maelienydd, but was unsuccessful and declined during the 14th century as a result of bubonic plague outbreaks, economic isolation and military insecurity. Despite this, Cefnllys retained its borough status until the 19th century. Nothing is left of this once thriving town and it is hard to imagine just how commercial a town it once was and you can read much more about it here and watch our own vide about it:

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

It is said that the settlement was concentrated around St Michael’s church, now a very isolated church nestling in the mountains, almost hidden from view from the outside world and indeed a merry game to actually locate it at all! It is found on low land next to the river, where there would have been easy access to the mill and a nearby spring. A series of earthworks surrounding the church represent raised causeways above boggy land, sunken roads in the direction of the toll bridge and probable medieval house platforms, as well as ridge and furrow patterns from open-field system agriculture which we managed to take photos of. Archaeological finds surrounding the church have been mostly from the Tudor period or later, however. the church’s structure is of 13th century origin, although the date of its founding is unknown and it was heavily restored in 1895.

Hints of the once thriving settlement and town can still be seen, as can the very intriging tree ‘grove’ <click to view>

The church of St. Michael was erected in the 13th century, but most likely it could have been built on the site of an earlier building from the 10th or 11th century. The earliest written references to the building date from 1291. During this period under the Norman rule, a settlement developed near a nearby castle, which became a royal borough with market charter. At the end of the Middle Ages, the castle fell into disrepair, and the village decreased to a small hamlet, with the temple remained, as a symbol of better times. In the 16th century, construction works were carried out at the church, probably from this period the southern porch comes from.

St Michael’s Church, Cefnllys <click to view>

A major renovation was carried out at the end of the 19th century. It included a partial reconstruction of the walls, replacement of windows and a timber ceiling. The church was built on the bend of the River Ithon, which encircled it from the north and west, and further south. On the eastern side, the church was dominated by an oblong hill occupied by Cefnllys Castle, which secured the only land route into the meander of the river.  The church was erected as an orientated building on an elongated rectangular plan, consisting only of the nave, without the externally separated chancel. On the west side, there is a low tower, and right next to it, at the southern wall of the nave, a 16th-century porch. The façades were most likely pierced by narrow lancet windows, perhaps doubled in some places.  Inside, the priestly part was separated from the western part intended for the congregation by inserting a wooden rood screen partition. Sadly we could not gain access to see any of these features or any of the ‘treasures’ contained within such as the oldest element of the temple’s furnishings, the octagonal Norman baptismal font. The late-medieval painted rood screen has also been preserved in the church, divided into 6 sections on both sides of the door. The roof truss and some of the windows (especially on the south side) are the result of early modern renovation. It is a Keystone church with connections to the Grail and of course St Michael, with suggestions in history that the Grail may have spent some time here around 1430 AD. See more in our video, where you can see the contours on the land from past settlements there and also a very intriging grove of trees….

St Michael’s Church, Cefnllys

Grail Bloodline Connections:

  • A Keystone Church
  • St Michael – past, present and future.

So at this point it was time to make our way to our digs for the next two nights – the appropriately named ‘Cosy Cottage, in Felinhell, in Wales. We were high up in the mountains, and the clouds were low over the mountain tops and in the shadowy dusk it created a very magical and misty effect. One could entirely see why Wales is known as the land of myth and legends. Finding our digs and letting ouselves in, in the pitch black is a story for another day…..

Wales, stunning, beautiful, magical and timeless…

Day Two 13th September 2021: Dolfellau Stone Circle Dolfellau: (Dolgelly or Dolgelley) is a town and community in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion. We had not planned to have wander or indeed some lunch here, but Dolgellau was such a pretty and interesting town, steeped in history that it would have been a great shame not to have stopped. The town was formerly the county town of Merionethshire (now Gwynedd). Its main bridge over the Afon Wnion dates back to 1638 and the remains of historic Cymer Abbey, founded in 1198, can be seen in the nearby village of Llanelltyd. The stone circle on the Marian (the local recreation field) is not ancient, but left over after the 1949 Eisteddfod. Although those whom built it must have known a thing or two for it is situated on old energies. The many buildings, shops and walks here are full of history and ancient character; one can see why it is so popular and it is an excellent base from which to explore Snowdonia. The name of the town is of uncertain origin, although dôl is Welsh for “meadow” or “dale”, and (y) gelli (soft mutation of celli) means “grove” or “spinney”. This would seem to be the most likely derivation, giving the translation “Grove Meadow”. The Encyclopaedia Britanica in 1911 suggested the name means ‘Dale of Hazels’.

Pretty Dolfellau – well worth a stroll around with lots ot see and nice places to eat <click to enlarge>

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

Our Lady of Seven Sorrows: Not part of our quest as such, but we were drawn there for a reason. There were some interesting artifacts inside one piece was very old and of interest, so including some of the photos i took and an online link for reference…

A bonus church full of surprises….

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Seven_Sorrows_Church,_Dolgellau

 

A lovely relaxing lunch – just what we needed! <click to enlarge>

So after a delicious lunch we made our way to the Dolfellau Stone Circle, which was the main purpose of our visit here. Although this is a modern stone circle built in 1948, and were erected when the National Eisteddfod came to town. It is important to note that the circle was built on a much more ancient site of pyramid energy. There are indeed mixed and strange reviews on the internet for this peaceful little circle, which instinct tells me does indeed get used in the modern day and age. What the modern reviewers dont know is that like all Craft sites we visit, it is what is under the current structure, of whatever age that is really important; usially pyramid sites of energy and power…. Obvioulsly the folks whom set it up knew just what they were doing and why – another case of something important hiding in plain site for all to see, yet no-one does.. The circle does follow the ancient designs of stone circles and could best be describes as a marking point in time…..

If one looks closely one can see the lines of energy formed from the magnetics of the site <click to enlarge>

 

On the road again and Barmouth awaits…..

St Mary’s Church Llanaber: Barmouth: The drive to Barmouth on the west coast of Wales, (where the mountains meet the sea) was extremely picturesque, along some beautiful rugged coastline and Barmouth itself, although we only drove though it looked like a lively and arty place for a visit one day. Barmouth is a seaside town in the county of Gwynedd, lying on the estuary of the Afon Mawddach and Cardigan Bay. The Welsh form of the name is derived from aber (estuary) and the river’s name, “Mawddach” The English form of the name is a corruption of the earlier Welsh form Abermawdd. The community includes the tiny villages of Llanaber, Cutiau, and Caerdeon and it was Llanaber were were making our way to…

A scenic drive to Barmouth…

The church was set upon a solitary possition upon the cliffs overlooking the sea and the local railway line. The graveyard was on a slope with some interesting gravestones there, and some hidden Templar symbolism too, and a beautiful lingering perfume that seemed to come from nowhere which permeated the very air… Sadly though the church was shut, but it would have been lovely to go inside. According to one of the church websites, Llanaber is in many ways the original settlement for Barmouth and as such the church served the once thriving local ship building community. Sadly though, the coming of the railway in 1866 finished the shipbuilding industry.

St Mary’s on the cliff top over looking the sea, hiding a few secrets… <click to enlarg>

St Mary and Bodfan is a Grade I listed building, which despite substantial restoration work in 1860, is a well-preserved 13th-century building with lancet windows and arch-braced collar beams (16th-century) to the chancel roof. Ancient maps refer to the church as St Bodfan’s and an association with the saint is preserved in the name of the nearby Bodfan Farm, but the church is more popularly known as St Marys. The present church dates from the early thirteenth century. One of its great benefactors was Hywel ap Meredydd ap Cynan, the Lord of Ardudwy, Hywel was a great grandson of Owain Gwynedd and a near relative of Llewelyn the Great. In the north west corner of the church are to be found two ancient stones. One is the Calixtus Stone, placed in the Church in the 19th century and having been previously used as a footbridge on a neighbouring farm. The inscription has been read as: CAELIXTUS MONEDO REGI, and is thought to mean Calixtus King of Mona. Such a shame we could not gain access to see these ancient treasures…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary_and_St_Bodfan_Church,_Llanaber

Grail Bloodline Connections:

  • Sir Thomas Neville (4th GGF) 1810 – 1893

In the morning we were catching the ferry from Holyhead to arrive in Dublin early evening.

More Irish adventures were waiting and i was so happy i wanted to dance with joy….

 

‘The Keeper of Scrolls’  January 2022

<moon.willow@ntlworld.com>

QUEST 29: MARCH 2020

It is always so exciting to go on a surprise quest and Quest 29 into Suffolk was most certainly that! It was March 29th and a gorgeous springtime day, a bit chilly but the sky was blue and clear; it was also just before ‘lockdown’ in the UK and so upon looking back i was doubly glad we were able to get out and about when we did. Suffolk is a beautiful area of East Anglia with many pretty, unspoilt villages and beautiful old churches too, with many surpises when it comes to our quests. The churches we visited were of course all Knight Templar related, all a part of, and with connections to our grail quest; the whole area being part of a large Roman encapement in its day.

  • All Saints Church Icklingham
  • Saint James Church Icklinham
  • All Saints Church Wordwell
  • Saint Mary the Virgin Church Cavendish

 

All Saints Church Icklington: The church is set in a pretty landscaped area with wide views across the countryside. All Saints Church is a redundant Anglican church, it is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade 1 listed building and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It is of Norman and English Gothic architectural style built in the fourteenth century. The church stands in the highest point in the village, adjacent to the A1101 road between Mildenhall and Bury St Edmunds; this was formerly the ancient trackway of the Roman Empire, the Icknield Way, in 120AD. The church was almost completely rebuilt in the 14th century with a south porch added in the 15th century. Sadly the church has been unused for over 100 years, being declared redundant in the 1970s. The roof has been re-thatched in the traditional manner with the rest of the church being constructed in flint rubble with freestone dressing. Read more about the church below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Church,_Icklingham

The church has a wonderful feel to it when one enters, no surprise as Icklingham has a important connection to our previous quest to Autun in France. Obviously there was a huge Roman presence in Autun too, which you will know if you have read our previous quest, Icklingham would have been a pathway into East Anglia for the Romans. The whole area here was a very large Roman encampment with thousands and thousands of troops being present in 124 AD, reaching all the way up to Wordwell. It was not only an invasion, but a transformation of the whole area too.

 

The interior of All Saints Church Icklingham <click to enlarge>

There are some stunning medieval tyles on the floor, with very well peserved Templar Symbolism, some with ‘the flowers and the petals of life’ connecting to the Knight Templars, whom would certainly have used this church. We are looking at the year 1314 here, when Jaques de Molay was burnt at the stake; yet the Templars did flee from France to survive in other areas, and Icklingham was one such area where they recieved some kind of unofficial Sanctuary. The tiles on the floor are original and of course we did not walk on them, but they were amazing to see, one that caught our eye, had a great depth of detail on it, which can be seen in our video and photos.

 

The original floor tyles with Templar symbology

The church is still in an original, natural state and has not been ‘victorianised’ at all. It still has most of its original features from the thatched roof, the pulpit, the original spiral stairs (now leading nowhere) and even an old original wrought iron funeral cart with original wheels and spokes, still in working order. One can certainly imaging the pall-bearers pushing it along with its coffin on board, entering the service, with the noise of the iron wheels reverberating upon the stone floors, echoing throughout the chambers of the church. Nearby is a wonderful church organ by W. Howlett and Son, an item any musical person would simply love. Even though it could have done with a very good clean it did add to the ascetics of the church, rather than being of any functionality. The pews of course are original complete with by-gone graffitti, from a time when folks would have sat there in the church listening to the sermons of Reverend, one can well imagine bored tots sittng there and picking away at the wood. So much history here; so many stories to be told.

The recently thatched roof is beautifully crafted allowing straw to fall naturally to the ground, just as it would have all those many years ago. There is a fairly modern, yet lovely stained-glass window depicting two of the saints, with many theories abounding in the area as to who they actually are; our understanding is that they are James and Peter – James to the left and Peter to the right. Almost under the window is an original wooden built up pew, which one enters by a hinged and brackets door in order to be able to sit down, and with its high bible-rest in front, it is almost like being in the dock! The stone pulpit (or font) is also original and in good condition, save for a bit of wear and tear. We were unable to find the stone carvings we were interested in, neither on the inside or outside of the church, so sadly maybe they never survived the test of time. A very interesting church with lots of references to the Templars, the Roman Empire, but very importantly, let us not forget King Arthur himself. Our Templar history informs us that Lancelot Desposyni was in this area on his travels, journeying through the area, visiting St James Church. King Arthur and Lancelot, when one separates them from the ‘myths and legends‘, did not just travel to one area, they moved around, changing things, transforming things during the times that we know as the ‘Dark Ages’. An amazing church with many untold stories to tell…. This would have been the most ‘energetic’ church of the day.

DSC01193

Standing in front of the old funeral carts

See our video below to take a stroll inside the church:

ALL SAINTS CHURCH ICKLINGHAM

Saint James Church Icklinham: Sadly when we arrived at this church it appeared to be well and truly locked up and maybe closed for health and safety reasons , so just a quick write up with a few shots from outside. It looked a peaceful church on the outside with some important items for us to see inside, but in a fairly built up area and a shame it was closed.

 

 I am including a link which contains several photos of the interior of the church which we did not get to see: http://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/icklingj.html

In brief, it is a Medieval Church, which has been restored, in an area where there would have been a Roman encampment on land occupied by the Romans in 120 AD. It would have been a Knights Templar preceptory in times past, 1066-1539 AD, even more reason to have been able to go inside. The Knights Templars did exist beyond the burning at the stake of Jaques de Molay in 1314. The namesake of the church St James, was the first disciple of Jesus and the patron saint of Spain, he was sadly executed by sword in 44 AD at Judea, Jerusalem and importantly was linked to Lancelot of Valencia, Spain.

All Saints Church Wordwell: After going slightly off course through the countryside and down a small lane, to end up at a completely different church, we finally arrived at this still out of the way church at Wordwell. All Saints is a redundant Anglican church, it is recorded in the National Heritage list for England as a designated Grade 1 listed building and is under the care of the Churches Conversation Trust. It was established in 1129 AD, prior to a Roman Empire encapement. The present church is a tiny Norman church, restored in the Victorian period and containing some superb medieval and Norman carvings.

‘Wordwell’ is an interesting name, with various meanings just crying out for some further research. All Saints Church at Wordwell still has its original construction; it was established at the time of the Templars, being used frequently by the Knights of the area at the time, and further going forwards into the midpoint of the thirteen hundreds, it was used as Sanctuary for the Templars, as they fled from Europe during the time of their demise, thus the church has so much history attached to it.

The church had a very nice feel to it, good energies were present. There were some interesting windows; one showed a triskellian and upon looking closer a pyramid within a petaled flower, shown in the form of a triangular pyramid ascending within a petaled flower, which is unusual. At first gance this could be seen as very masonic, but one must ask, which came first, the chicken or the egg? As we have learnt previously, the Freemasons were formed after the Knights Templars, lest we forget.

The old original church organ, here in the church with its big square paddles, is now being used as a table for leaflets, but it looks like it may be in good working order. However nearby and just above the organ, is indeed the prize catch of this church in every way, shape or form, in the form of a wonderful oiginal wall carving, which could almost be mistaken for being Sumerian, in style, being very reminiscent of the clay tablets. The people shown in the carving are of quite a short build; the carving having been viewed differently by different people over time; some folks thinking it is of St Catherine or the other saints, but it is non of them; there being other reasons for it being what it is. What is interesting is that the figures are both male, not as in male and female as often thought. One figure is holding a ring which is being given to the other male, but not in a context of marriage, more of in a binding ceremony, a binding with G-d context. A very interesting find indeed, of which one does not often get to see in an English church in this day and age. One cannot help but wonder why it is there and the full story behind it.

The interior of the church, showing the very unusual carving <please click to enlarge>

Moving around, the wooden pews are all beautifully carved with animals and folaige, and have aged wonderfully over the years. The atmosphere of the church, its age and how it has been set out certainly brings to mind that famous Knight Templar painting entitled ‘The Acolade’. The scene here before us, is very reminiscent of that particular painting with the steps acending as the Templar comes forward, to bow and drop three times before reaching the altar (thrice the times). The church is very well looked after and has very well preserved tyles on the floor, with many Galic symbols represented. One can see represented in the tyles;  earth, air, fire and water, with the most important symbols being fire and water, (south and west)  (the water and the fire), which gives us ‘pure light’. We know from history that the south-western quadrant is always the most important; in Masonic terms a candidate is asked ‘Why did you leave the west to travel east?‘ and later on on ‘Why did you leave the east to travel west?‘ The response would be ‘In search of Light in Craft’, however when they reach the west they dont find the Light in Craft because then, in the west, the candidates are later on informed in their degrees (from the 42nd degree upwards), that they need to head south to find the Light in Craft. They have to then journey from the east to the west, and thence instructed to go south, (south-west), which is most important, as it is the ‘pure-light’ of the compass-points.

There are some interesting restored artworks on the other window with a cow emblem at the top, albeit a very intricate stylised design, but i saw it clearly, although some may not see it at all. Also there is the ‘fan-fare‘ wheel in the window and a ‘triklesite’ aspect to the right and to the left. On the high altar is a lovely red and gold altar cloth with some nice old guilding from around the 1900’s, probably replaced at some point, but lovely non the less. At the back of the altar on the wall carvings, one can see the ‘flowers of life’, being the daisy and the tulip, there are other schools of thought on this subject, but this is correct. There are some wonderful quotes upon the wall behind the altar, one in particular from Exodus, see the photo below for the full quote.

Truth and religion in the UK today, has become a very flexible subject and often open to many interpretations, yet for those whom profess to follow the faith and the path; it says very clearly here, that thou shall have non other gods but me, no other gods, apart from G-d; we know already that there are angels and djinn, but no other gods which is very important to not forget. For a small church there is a lot going on here, a lot of history; this church being on a par I noticed, with the one we visited in Mepal recently on our Fenland Quest, the same level and size etc. Much to take away with us from this visit, much to pause and think about. This was probably the best church of the day from a conservation viewpoint, the most enigmatic church.

See our video below to take a stroll around the church:

ALL SAINTS CHURCH WORDWELL

Saint Mary the Virgin Church Cavendish: This was the last church of the day, in the pretty village of Cavandish. St Mary the Virgin Chirch is a grade 1 listed parish church in  Cavandish, Suffolk. It was built in the 1300’s, thus only 700 years old, yet built on much earlier foundations over earlier buildings, earlier temples etc. This church is mostly 14th-century, with building dating from about 1300 to about 1485, with some 19th-century additions and alterations. The oldest parts of the church, dating from about 1300, are the Tower, the Porch and the lower parts of the walls of the aisles. In 1350 the South aisle walls were rebuilt to their present height and new windows were inserted. The exterior of the church is dressed in flint, as are many of the churches and buildings of the area. While we were there extensive renovations were being carried out and much of the church, including the tower were hidden under scaffolding; we were lucky it was actually open to us. Some beautiful artworks are in the church and although it has been modernised over its 700 years of time, this does not distract from its interest and it is kept beautifully clean and tidy. What we noticed straight away upon entering, was the baptismal roles for folks of the area on the wall, showing a Lynne Clarke baptised in 1964, (so could be still alive). Clarke is one of the blood-lines we are tracing, so an interesting find, and on another listing , on the roll of honour from the Cypress Regiment dated 1956, a Cuthbert H. Clark, so maybe her grandfather?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary_the_Virgin%27s_Church,_Cavendishhttp://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/cavendish.htm

The Knights Templar had a preceptory here in Cavandish from 1308-1312, just before the demise of the Templars;  just before the Papal Bull was released from Rome, but they were here for only  a short period of time. The reason being is that they would have been in transit and moving artifacts along ‘upstream’ as it were, up through the country. The church would have been used as a holding place for the movement of treasures and various artifacts.

The church contains an amazingly beautiful piece of carved artwork showing the Knight Templar ‘two swords’ with an inverted challace; the pyramid, the ship, the sea, the ocean are all included.  ‘Pure Light‘ as mentioned before is represented here by the sword (fire) in the water. (Fire in the Water to make Pure Light) The ‘Jesus’ here has sadly lost a finger but would have been showing the ‘Ninasian Salute‘ (the salute of Ninasu)

There is so much Templar symbolism to be discovered in the above artwork <click to see in detail>

There is a small Lady Chapel area to the left hand side, with curtains above its altar, and interestingly, nothing at all behind them which is unusual as normally the curtains are open with a painting or something on display. A window on the right-hand side of the church contains many clues and symbolism to the fact that the knights were indeed here; non more so than the red cross of the Nevilles (our main research blood-line) with the rose in the middle of the Neville cross clearly defined. The window also shows the ‘Flower of Life‘ and moving upwards we see the ‘Lamb of God’ (Agnus Dei), all beautifully depicted, and very much of standard Knight Templar symbolism.  However on moving across to the next panel, we see imagery that is far removed from standard, in the form of what appears to be a bull with wings, amazingly depicted. We also have the cow, the ram and the stag symbolised here in the window, with interestingly a symbolic circle reference to the ‘Fisher King’, which on closer inspection could be a shell, again referencing The Fisher King. In the earlier writings of the Fisher King ‘the winged animals’ are referenced, but suprisingly, not the infamous unicorn of myth and legend as one would expect. Also adjacent on another window we can clearly see the Chi-Rho, a ‘star’ which we are now refering to as ‘The Pyramid of Intergration’, a translation from an earlier language; this symbol has had many names over the years, and is probably best known as ‘The Star of David’, which is not relevant here; also shown is the ‘IHS’ symbol. Moving down the window one can see various other symbols, such as ‘The Jesus’ showing the Ninasian Salute, and also shown with his hands ‘open to all’. At the side of the altar, behind blue curtains, just in front of the vestry, are to be found some very historic paintings, portraits and photographs upon the walls, some of the choir, some of old scenes from outside the church.

The windows contains a language of symbols relating to the Knights Templars and the true history of this earthly plane – just waiting to be de-coded! <click to enlarge>

See our link below to take a stroll around the church:

ST MARY THE VIRGIN’S CHURCH CAVENDISH

Quest 30 in May 2020 would have been another exciting European trip but due to the outbreak of the corona virus, we have had to cancel and put everything on hold for a while. Hopefull in the spring of 2021 we can get on the road again, but in the meantime,watch this space, as they say!

 

acolade

The Acolade by Lord Leighton

The Knights of the Red Order

Author ‘The Keeper of Scrolls’

April 17th 2020

 

 

THE GRAIL QUEST

” Even in our modern times, the Grail still represents hope to people, yet still remains something unattainable, something still very much an enigma. Many of the tales trace it, as a vessel, back to Joseph of Arimathea, whom it was said collected Jesus’s blood from the cross and whom was said to have bought it to England. Yet as already stated, the lineage of the grail goes back to much earlier times,  and as we already know, we can discount the tales of a challice collecting blood from the cross, for we know the crucifixion tales to be untrue. Yet if Joseph was of the ‘pure bloodline’, which Templar knowledge indicates he was, the tales take on another meaning, Over time many and various churches and religions have claimed different successions and connections to the Grail and there are claimed to be many ‘resting places’ for the Grail, some believable, some not, but of course that does depend on what the Grail actually is. It could be resting/hiding within Time itself (within a ‘cloak of time’), maybe hidden in secret underground chambers of sacred buildings, kept watch over by guardians. Some say it found its way to Scotland and has a connection to the enigmatic Neville family whom may have guarded over it themselves.  Mary too, is said to be connected to it, in her own right and through her relationship with Jesus, and she too found her own way to Scotland. Lots of accounts refer to the blood of Christ or the flesh/DNA of Christ as being of pure blood, of being the Grail, and Christ certainly knew and kept the secrets to his grave.  So, did Christ possess the Grail or was it the ‘knowledge’ of the Grail he possessed? If Lucifer’s secret is the Holy Grail, that would certainly mean that Christ/Jesus/Lucifer knew the secret; that unattainable secret of the Holy Grail.”

QUEST 28: FRANCE, DUNKIRK & BELGUIM

12TH  NOVEMBER 2019

After three great days in La Boussac, our amazing trip was almost over and we left France to begin our journey towards Belguim via Dunkirk. Luckily yet again the sun was shining and it was a gorgeous Autumn day when we set forth. We journeyed all the way from the south of France up to Dunkirk and i managed to take some quite good shots on the way.  The drive was interesting and very scenic and the weather was good.  It was a long journey, of gorgeous autumn colours, dramatic skies and an amazingly huge suspension bridge that crossed a wide, wide estuary somewhere along the route. It was very windy and high up so not all lanes were open. The nearer we got to England though, the more horrid the weather became, settling down later.

Our last big road trip of the quest taking us out of France, towards Belguim, Dunkirk and back to good old Blighty! That bridge was so high and scary in the windy conditions – much higher than it looks! <click to enlarge>

Catholique Collegiale Notre-Dame-de-la-Crypte a Cassel: Cassel France: Quite late in the day we arrived here at Cassel, France. It had become quite chilly now and was getting dark, but there were shops still open and folks around, so we had a nice stroll and bought in supplies for when we reached our digs.

Cassel, from the Dutch meaning Kassel is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Built on a prominent hill overlooking French Flanders, the town has existed since Roman times. It was developed by the Romans into an important urban centre and was the focus of a network of roads, which are still in use today, that converge on the hill. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cassel became an important fortified stronghold for the rulers of Flanders which was repeatedly fought over before finally being annexed to France in the 17th century. It was the headquarters of Marshal Ferdinand Foch during part of the First World War. In 1940, during the German invasion of France, Cassel was the scene of a fierce three-day battle between British forces and German forces which resulted in much of the town being destroyed. Today the town, which was rebuilt following the war, is a popular destination for visitors to French Flanders.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassel,_Nord

As the hour was late and the skies darkening, we half expected the church to be closed and spent dilligent time wandering around the seemingly closed building until at last we found a way in via the big stiff old wooden doors! Our efforts were well worth it as the church is beautiful inside and like a lot of these seemingly plain on the outside churches, what greets one inside is often amazing!

Sadly i could not find much on the internet in English about the churches history apart from a few lines from the above link, so most of my comments are from pure observation. The Collégiale Notre-Dame de la Crypte is Cassel’s main church, built in brick. Parts date from the 11th century but the main part is a 16th-century  Gothic structure of a design known as a hallekerk or hall-church, peculiar to Flanders and Artois. It comprises a huge rectangular space with three gables, three aisles, three apses and a square tower over the transept.

Many interesting symbols inside the church & the  ‘All Seeing Eye’ is prominent, together with relevant heraldry & shields. Some beautiful windows are here too & ornate artworks. A nice feel to the church connecting to the Desposyni bloodline.

Grail Bloodline Connections:

  • Galains Desposyni (48th GGF) 480-551, born in Sommant, with Grail connections.
  • Nascien Desposyni(49th GGF) 450-494, born in Sommant, with Grail connections.

The hour was late, dark and very wet when we arrived in Dunkirk and visability in respect of driving was very confusing. We were staying right in the middle of Dunkirk, near the river, in a very built up area with  lots of traffic lights, bus lanes and one way systems. It took us several tries to find a way out of the one-way system in order to reach our apartment – which we could see but not actually get too! Well done to my dear driver though for his persistence and patience! Tomorrow we are venturing into Belgium.

St Peter’s Church, De Panne, Belgium: So the day had arrived – Friday 8th November and the last day of this amazing quest and fabulous road trip. We found the church fairly easily and it looked quite inviting and very well maintained from the outside with planted flowers and a nod to it’s fishing history by way of the historic fishing vessel outside. However once we gained access and got inside through the main doorway, it was dissapointing to find a vast and very locked glass screen acoss the entrance barring any access into the rest of the church. So sadly the only photos i have are of the outside and taken through the glass screen. A shame as there were very relevant artefacts and info to be seen there. Based on a design by the Veurne-based architect Joseph Vinck, this aisled neo-Gothic hall church in yellow brick was built in 1891, at a time when De Panne was still a fishing hamlet of Adinkerke and a chapel built circa 1878 stood on this site. The tower was added in 1936, by which time the church was no longer located in the centre of town due to the construction of the Dumont Quarter.

St Peter’s Church, De Panne showing the historic fishing vessel <click to enlarge>

De Panne is the westernmost Belgian coastal town, sharing a border with France. It has a population of almost 10.800 people. Its history is closely linked with Adinkerke, nowadays a small village, situated about 3 kilometres from the sea.  The situation used to be reversed, for during the late 18th century, De Panne was part of the larger parish and municipality of Adinkerke. Because of the growing importance of coastal tourism from the late 19th century on, De Panne eventually transformed into a larger town than Adinkerke, beoming independent in 1911.  Originally De Panne was primarily a fishing place, founded in 1783. The fisheries, especially the small herring fisheries close to the coast, in De Panne flourished from the middle of the 19th century, and the fishing community steadily grew. Around the turn of the century, a number of shipyards were active in De Panne, while several small fish smoke houses were also present in the village. By courtesy of the local history and heritage club ‘De Panneboot P1′, the town possesses one of the last traditional inshore fishing vessel of the Flemish coast, also named the ‘Panneboot P1’. The vessel is an example of a ‘pannekotter’, the smaller successor of the famous ‘pannepot’, now on display in front of the Saint Peter’s Church of De Panne. On occasion, the ‘Panneboot P1’ still sails and from time to time, the ship is used for educational purposes

http://www.coastalwiki.org/wiki/Fisheries_in_De_Panne

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

Very selective views through the huge secured glass panel

Grail Bloodline Connection:

  • Associated with King Marcomer (51st GGF) 387-458 Cologne, Germany.

Sadly, our very last day of this wonderful experience has come upon us all too soon. Lots of pieces of a very large puzzle to ponder over and put together but it will all be revealed in time, as they say. We have visited amazing places and met many folks – some friendly, some not, sadly often ‘church’ folks were not welcoming, but that’s for another day.

Saint Bavo Cathedral, Ghent, Belgium: When we arrived in Ghent it was certainly a lovely day and the city was full of life with lots of hustle, bustle and energy; trams and buses busily swung around the narrow city streets. Ghent is a city and a  municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province, and the third largest in the country, exceeded in size by Brussels and Antwerp. The city originally started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie and in the Late Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe, with some 50,000 people in 1300. It is a port and university city. Around 650, Sain Amand founded two abbeya in Ghent: St Peter’s and St Bavo’s. Around 800,  Louis the Pious, of   Charleymagne, appointed Finhard, the biographer of Charlemagne, as abbot of both.  The city grew from several nuclei, the abbeys and a commercial centre. However, both in 851 and 879, the city was plundered by the Vikings. Within the protection of the County of Flanders, the city recovered and flourished from the 11th century, growing to become a small city-state By the 13th century, Ghent was the biggest city in Europe north of the Alps after Paris, bigger than Cologne or Moscow. Within the city walls lived up to 65,000 people.  Lots about Ghent in the link below:

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

 The main city square of Ghent; full of life with lots of shops and resturants nearby!

The Saint Bavo Cathedral, also known as Sint-Baafs Cathedral, an 89-meter-tall Catholic Gothic Cathedral is the seat of the dioces of Ghent, is named for Saint bavo of Ghent and contains the well-known Ghent Altarpiece. It is built on the site of the former Chapel of St. John the Baptist, a primarily wooden construction that was consecrated in 942 by Transmarus,  Bishop of Tournai and Noyon. Traces of a later Romanesque structure can be found in the cathedral’s crypt. Construction of the Gothic church began around 1274. Continuous expansion, in he Gothic style were carried out from the 14th through 16th centuries. In 1539, as a result of the rebellion against Charles V, who was baptized in the church, the old Abbey of St. Bavo was dissolved. Its abbot and monks went on to become canons in a Chapter that was attached to what then became the Church of Saint Bavo. When the Diocese of Ghent was founded in 1559, the church became its Cathedral and construction was considered complete June 7, 1569. Sadly in the summer of 1566, bands of Calvinist iconoclasts visited Catholic churches in the Netherlands, shattering stained-glass windows, smashing statues, and destroying paintings and other artworks they perceived as idolatrous. However, the altarpiece by the Van Eycks was saved. It was a beautiful looking cathedral but sadly yet again had lost much of its ‘energy’, not helped by the negative attitude of one of its human ‘religous’ helpers, trying to bar me from taking a photo of a sheild relevant to our quest. A beautiful building with many stunning works of art, but sadly with no actual spirituality…

There were some stunning marble memorial carvings that made good use of the skull imagery. There were some beautiful oil paintings, along with relevant Craft/Quest related heraldry and sheilds <click to expand>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Bavo%27s_Cathedral,_Ghent

Grail Bloodline Connection:

  • Bloodline connection associated with King Marcomer (51st GGF) 387-458 Cologne, Germany.

All that remained now was just one more view from our apartment window aside the river in Dunkirk before setting out on the road again in the morning and back home to the UK via the channel tunnel!

“On this epic journey we experienced the different energies of many lands as we followed in the footsteps of King Arthur around Europe and found out that churches are not what they seem;  I also found an amazing light inside me that I never want to dim. Putting aside the spiritual aspect of our quest and all the knowledge gained for a moment, this was the most amazing road trip ever. We journeyed through 6 countries including the uk; the experience of a road trip is mind-expanding in itself; an experience that I fully embraced. So that was it; an amazing quest fullfilled and I for one cannot wait until our next adventure.

Many of you have followed our quests since the very beginning and have read my in-depth write-ups on these pages, so have a good idea of what the quests are all about and why. It is always from a physical, spiritual and more importantly a metaphysical purpose that we partake of these quests and now we have bought ‘the grail’ into the mix.

The buildings we visit are built on very sacred sites, yet it is not the buildings as such, as to why we are there. The sites are of sacred, pyramid energy; the buildings atop have come and gone over the centuries, leaving no clues in the buildings since, as to their purpose and real reason within the rhyme of time; except of course to those whom can decode the symbols. The churches could be describes as ‘markers’ in time and space.

The quest, the King Arthur quest, traces his journey to these sites, it was his quest then, just as it is our important quest now; a journey of learning sacred knowledge, that has often been hidden within very time and the landscape itself. But yet most importantly never told of in history, yet the links are now appearing, like the colours of a magic painting book when the water is added, for when knowledge and understanding is added to our life, magically the truth appears.

We have visited many pyramid sites, some where the earth magnetis were so strong, that the so-called ‘sat-nav’ (which works via earth-based communications anyway), was caused to spin around in circles; going crazy due to the pyramid energy. The energy can often be overwhelming causing one to lose balance and feel a bit ‘woozy’ at times until one tunes into it and finds one’s balance. There is always so much more to space and time than meets the eye.”

DSC09853

“The Keeper of Scrolls” March 2020

‘moon.willow@ntlworld.com’

The Knights of the Red Order

THE GRAIL QUEST

“Consider then, this special DNA thread, can it be awakened and utilised through Craft knowledge? The word ‘Templar’ relates to time, as in temporal, so the Grail with its history of connections to the knights and the apostles upon the earthly plane could also relate to time or even dimensions? So with that knowledge in mind is ‘The Universal Templar Complex’ fact or fiction? If humanity actually found the Grail, (were allowed to find it) what one wonders would they do with it? Giving humanities track record I don’t think they are ever destined to find it, for they could never ever be trusted with the knowledge of it and could do unfortold damage. If it was found, as in Craft quests of today or as the Knights of the Round Table quests of old or the Apostles, then once found, the knight usually passes over, (although not always) for there is no longer a purpose for living (in this world). So could the Grail be the answer to everything and the passport to heaven? Sadly though, not everyone whom sought the Grail would/will use it’s divine powers for good; hence why humans (i dont mean Craft) are never, ever destined to find it”.

QUEST 28: NORMANDY: FRANCE

4TH NOVEMBER 2019

Mont Saint-Michel: Today we set off on a two hour journey to reach Mont Saint-Michel in lower Normandy; i was very excited about this trip, having already been to the English counterpart Mount Saint Michael in Cornwall. The actual town, rather than the abbey is located about 0.6 miles off the country’s northwestern coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches and is 17 acres in area. As of 2015, the island has a population of 50. The commune’s position, on an island just a few hundred metres from land, made it accessible at low tide to the many pilgrims to its abbey, but defensible as an incoming tide stranded, drove off, or drowned would-be assailants. The island remained unconquered during the Hundred Years War; a small garrison fended off a full attack by the English in 1433. Louis XI recognised the reverse benefits of its natural defence and turned it into a prison. The abbey was used regularly as a prison during the Ancien Regime. Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. It is visited by more than 3 million people each year. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as monumental historiques. Now a rocky tidal island, yet the Mont occupied dry land in prehistoric times.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont-Saint-Michel

The original site was founded by an Irish hermit, who gathered a following from the local community. Mont-Saint-Michel was used in the sixth and seventh centuries as an Armorican stronghold of Gallo-Roman culture and power until it was ransacked by the Franks thus ending the trans-channel culture that had stood since the departure of the Romans in 460. Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called Mont Tombe (Latin: tumba). According to legend, the archangel Michel appeared in 708 AD to Aubert of Avranches, the then bishop, and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet.

The Church at the base of the ‘Mont’ and its treasures <click to view>

The abbey is an essential part of the structural composition of the town the feudal society constructed. At the very top, God, the abbey, and the monastery; below this, the Great halls, then stores and housing, and at the very bottom (outside the walls), fishermen’s and farmers’ housing. The abbey has been protected since 1862. Since 1979, the site as a whole; the Mont and its bay has been a UNESCO world heritage site. The monks there durung first century of their institution, venerated the archangel Michael. The Mont became a place of prayer and study, but the stability period, during the reign of  Charlemagne ended when he died.  At first, pilgrims kept coming to the Mont but after the Vikings captured the Mont in 847, the monks departed. But, as an island, it offered some protection for the local population and thus never stayed empty. The abbey has had a rich and varied history (see link below) and starting in 1922, Christian worship was again practiced in the abbey. In 1966, with the celebration of the abbey’s first millennium, a few Benedictine monastries sent monks to spend the summer there. At the end of the summer a few stayed, but they slowly started to leave after 1979.

The steep walk up to the top & its magnificant views <click to view>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont-Saint-Michel_Abbey

A fabulous place, a community of its own merit and accord. Not as easy to get access to, as its namesake, St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, as one cannot walk across the low waters, needing to wait for a shuttle bus, of which there was standing room only on the lovely autumn day that we visited. Once alighted from the shuttle there was still a good walk across a boardwalk to get to the mount. It is very, very high with winding streets full of resturants, a church and shops, taking one up to the foot of the actual mount. Old stone steep steps take one to the very top, but believe me it is a long old way and one (unless a super hero) has to take many a rest along the way – indeed i felt like a hero simply for making it to the top. Once however at the top the views are stunning and the abbey complex is much bigger than one would imagine with many facets to it. In times past one can easily imagine what an isolated life the monks and visiting knights here, would have led… However sadly all the sacred ‘energies‘ that would have been there at one point it time are now no more; probably eroded away by mankinds unspiritual interactions; interactions that are as much about ‘giving back’ as ‘receiving’ (taking) upon the shores of time, which most folks fail to realise for time and tide wait for no man and energies dissipate and move as and when they need to…  There is so much more to this world than folks realise….