Tag Archive: KORO


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

MORE FENLAND CHURCHES!

“Despite ‘Covid’ we squeezed in some extra Fenland Grail Quests!”

Church of St Thomas Becket: Ramsey: It was a very bright and sunny day in December 2021; Friday 7th to be precise, but oh so cold! An ideal day though, for a surprise fenland visit to the historical parish church of St Thomas Becket in the quiet village of Ramsey, not far from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The church was built late in the 12th century as part of Ramsey Abbey, and is thought to have been a hospital, prior to being converted into a church early in the 13th centrury; it is a grade 1 listed building. The church is in a beautiful setting with spacious lawns all around and the low winter sun on this particualar day, seemed to add to its charm. The church is named after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket (1118-1170), who is it well known of and, was assasinated on the 29th December 1170 AD, by followers of King Henry 2nd. Interestingly King Henry is actually one of Karl’s relatives so a very important connection there.

The Church of Thomas Becket at Ramsey looking stunning in the sunshine! <click to enlarge>

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_Thomas_%C3%A0_Becket,_Ramsey

 

The oldest part of the building dates from around AD 1180–90, when it was built as a hospital, infirmary or guesthouse of the abbey. It was originally an aisled hall with a chapel at the east end with a vestry on the north side and the warden’s lodgings on the south, but both of these have now been demolished. The building was converted into a parish church about AD 1222. The building is mainly of rubble masonry, with the aisles and other parts of ashlar. The roofs of the chancel and nave are covered with tiles and the aisles with lead and there is a north chapel and a south chapel. As in the case of all monasteries whose foundation predates the  Norman conquest of England, the parishioners of Ramsey would have had rights in the monastic church. After the introduction of stricter monastic rule and more elaborate services in the 12th century, and particularly the Sunday Procession, the parochial services interfered with those of the monks. Therefore, accommodation for the parishioners was made at a parochial chapel outside the monastic church, at Holy Cross Church, Bury, Cambridgeshire. The church has had a very interesting history with some firm royal (and Grail) connections; within it are to be found some interesting artifacts and monuments which you can see and hear more about in our video here….

St Thomas Becket Church Ramsey

The interior certainly was stunning and very ‘cathedral-like’ <click to enlarge>

In respect of our Grail Quest, it is said that the Grail had travelled some 98 miles from Bray, of which we have visited recently, all the way to Thomas Becket Church. It was 843 years ago and the Grail (it is said) stayed for 101 years from 1178 AD to 1279 AD. Some say that the church was built specifically to host the Grail and would have been the 18th church to hold the Grail. One needs to ask one’s self, just why all this secrecy, all this fuss, the hiding and the constant moving around to keep the Grail hidden forever from mankind, but why?

So many beautiful artifacts full of ‘grail-related’ meanings <click to enlarge>

 

The church is full of amazing windows, (including a beautiful window to St Michael) all which tell their own stories through symbolism, and hidden here too are some profound Grail symbolism clues, not often seen (or noticed). The church was quiet inside on the day we visited and had a lovely, peaceful energy and apart from the ladies there decorating the lovely tree, we were mostly on our own.

Grail Bloodline Connections:

  • The Nevilles, the Clarkes and the Fordams (and the royal line over the years) are the bloodines that merge here at Ramsey.
  • Lord Robert de Neville (b.1172) of Raby Castle. (the start of the Neville line) (22 X GGF)

 

St Michaels and All Angels, Sutton:  Sadly we could not get in as it was very closed, although the tree lights outside were on, so a sign that it was not abandoned as such. It was set in a very pretty rural area, alongside ‘Lovers Lane’ and so we were able to have a stroll around and take a few outside shots. It is a small church of Templar style. Sutton itself is a small village and civil parish just outside of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, with a population of 196. It was once describes as a ‘woody swamp’ and in ‘Old English’ it translates as a Southern farm or settlement. It is still a small village, with lots of green and cattle grazing around, being very much of an agricultral community.

The church was built in the 12th century (suggested date 1163 with Templar origins) as a chapel-of-ease to St Kyneburgha, Castor for the benefit of the villagers of Sutton and to serve the Peterborough Abbey Grange Farm and Manor in the village. The church was enlarged c1170 when the original South wall was removed, the two Norman arches erected and the South Aisle added. The Chantry Chapel (which now contains the Vestry and organ) added about 1225 was originally dedicated to St Giles, the patron saint of lepers and cripples (650 AD-710 AD, 60 years). The Abbey Almoner, who was lord of the Manor, was responsible for their care. Further rebuilding took place in the 15th Century, when the roof replaced with a higher, flatter roof. The church also now serves as a community hall. The church has a connection to Europe, Edinburgh and Elgin in Scotland. It is of a design form familiar with Athen in Greece. There are also strong Craft (G) links with the Holy Trinity Church in Elgin; a ‘keystone’ church that we will be exploring at the end of February 2022. It is suggested that the ‘G’ arrived here in 232 AD and stayed for a length of nine years.

Sadly we could not get inside but the area around was peaceful and the tree lights were on! <click to enlarge>

 

Grail Bloodline Connections:

  • A Neville connection (24th GGF) with further connection to Lord Dolfia Fitz Uchtred (1110-1165) of Raby, Durham.

As it was a sunny dry day and good to be out in the countryside and with time to spare, we had a lovely drive to The Church of St Kyneburgha at Castor, as had been recommended to us that morning. Although not a part of our quests as such, it does has a connection to the previous church, it was a beautiful church with some interesting artefacts inside and well worth a visit for anyone interested in history. As it’s not part of the quests i have not provided any write-up, but lots of interesting facts can be found on the internet, but i did take some lovely photos! It was lovingly looked after with a beautiful wooden ceiling depicting angels and saints and some very nice interpretations of Mary in other areas of the church.

https://aroundbritishchurches.blogspot.com/2009/05/st-kyneburgha-castor.html

Some of the interesting artworks and atifacts in St Kyneburgha near Castor <please click to enlarge>

 

  

 

“And then, ducking and diving between the ‘Covid Variants’, we squeezed in another Fenland Quest on the 7th of January and what a beautiful day for it!”

 

Church of St Michael, Chesterton near Peterborough: It was crisp cold day on Friday 7th January 2022 and we in the very historic area near Peterborough, on what was once a huge royal estate, and one could really get a sense of the royal past from the fabulous energies there. Chesterton is a small village and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, approximately 5 miles west-southwest of Peterborough in an area, particularly rich in Roman history. The name Chesterton means Roman site, farm or settlement and there was indeed an old Roman town nearby named Durobrivae’, now lost in time, but the maine trade would have been in pottery from 125 AD.
So the first stop was indeed the church of St Michael hidden cleverly away in rural Chesterton not far Peterborough. Built on a much older foundation as are all the churches we visit on our quests – hence why we are there, it is said that it could be a potential Grail location with links to some local families (Breville, Dryden, or another?) for the church is a ‘Keystone’ Church.  Going by some of the symbols and artifacts inside this stunning church i would suspect that St Michaels church does have a cleverly hidden history.
A beautiful setting for an equally beautiful church! <click to enlarge>

The church was established in the 12th century and the ailses and tower renovated in the 13th and 14th centuries. The porch and chancel were rebuilt in the 17th century and in recent days St Michael’s has recieved funding from the American descendants of the Belville family whom were past ‘Lords of the Manor’ in earlier centuries before emigrating to America. There is a monument to this family inside the church.

Inside many beautiful artifacts and grail and quest clues <click to enlarge>

We were highly honoured to have been shown some altar treasures from the sixteenth century and allowed to visit the bell tower where there are three bells, the oldest being from 1440 AD . The steps were very steep and the journey upwards very dark and dusty….

Read more about this church and it’s Grail connections in the new book by Karl Neville

‘When the Trumpet Sounds’

I will post the link when the book is published!

 

Grail Bloodline Connections:

  • A Keystone Church connected to the Grail itself
  • The Guardians of the Grail (local families?)
  • ST Michael (Archangel Michael) past, present and future…
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Warmington, near Peterborough: The second church of the day, of our ‘extra’ fenland quest (Fri 7th Jan) was the beautiful Church of St Mary the Virgin at Warmington near Peterborough. I was unfamiliar with this seemingly timeless area. The villages and dwellings, and even the odd posh hall or two, are of local stone and blend in seamlessly with the counrtyside. Driving around this area, one really gets a real sense of our historic past, a past that played an important role in the shaping of British history. Yet also one gets a sense of tales untold, secrets not shared…

Warmington can trace its origins back to the 7th century when the King of Mercia granted the land to the Abbey of Peterborough. A charter of Edgar in 963 also names Warmington among the estates of the monks of the Abbey of Peterborough. Warmington is listed in the Doomsday Book as a part of the land of Peterborough Abbey. The village is also located on the route of a Roman Road running from Elton to Barnwell.

http://warmington.org/index.php/about-us/gerenal-interest/local-area/places-of-interest-in-warmington

Such stunning architecture! <click to enlarge>
The church itself, which was originally built in 1243 AD, was beautifully looked after, both inside and out, maybe for good reasons, for it is said that there is a ‘hidden’ Grail Energy link associated with the church. The church has one of the most famous of all steeples in the area, built in the 13th century, it’s square lower part has three stages, the top one with highly decorated belfry windows. The church’s older foundations go back to 1178 AD.
Artifacts that allude to a ‘hidden past’…. <click to enlarge>
Inside are many fascinating artifacts, some of which allude to a ‘christainity’ very far removed from todays christianity, or should i say allude to a time when church practices were not as they seemed to be, and are certainly never written about. But the signs are all there to see…. The church contains one of the best collections of Green Men to be found in England and (interestingly) there are nine…. The Medieval font is has a base dated 1662 AD, there is also a rare 13th century piscina with a ‘circle of eight’ (Samnu Emua) to the left of the door upon entering, and those whom are of Craft will understand the significance of this.
Many signs and symbols that tell their own tale…. <click to enlarge>
“Of course as we have come to realise and acknowledge, nothing is ever what it seems – least of all the churches of our quests!”
Grail Bloodline Connections:
  • The Hidden Grail Energy link…
  • The signs and symbols of the Grail
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS: Fotheringhay Castle, near Peterborough: When i was at school, history was more of a forgotton world than i cared to tell. I was unable to compute numbers and dates in my brain so i just got terribly lost on the history trail. However since going on our Quests and seeing history come alive before my very eyes, i have certainly made up for it and have attained so much knowledge, it is amazing. And so it was with Mary Queen of Scots, whom i have always been drawn towards and felt an affinity with. I had no idea she was actually executed just a few miles outside of Cambridge at Fotheringhay Castle, near Peterborough. She spent her final days here, and was tried and convicted of murder here. She spent her last night praying in the castle’s small chapel, before being being cruelly beheaded on a scaffold in the castle’s great hall on 8th Feb 1587.
There is not much left of the actual castle now, it is now a sad sight of rack and ruin, with just the earthworks visable. Succeeding royalty of the times had no interest or any kind of loyalty towards the castles upkeep. The day we went it was tempory closed so we could only look from over the locked gates. But one does get a sense of actions lost in time and of earthly deeds of the day simply decaying into time and space… Our interest of course lies with the actual ‘placement ‘ of the castle, as with all our quests and also with the bloodlines connected to our quest; our Grail quest and our quest for truth.

Sadly not much to see anymore, but what a history! <click to enlarge>

Fotheringhay Castle, also known as Fotheringay Castle, was, in it’s heyday,  a High Middle Age Norman Motte-and-bailey castlein the village of Fotheringhay three and a half miles to the north of the market town of Oundle, probably founded around 1100 by Simon de Senlis, Earl of Northhampton. In 1113, possession passed to Prince David of Scotland when he married Simon’s widow. The castle then descended with the Scottish princes until the early 13th century, when it was consfiscated by King John of England. It continues to have an interesting history, passing down from royal hand to royal hand until becoming the final place of imprisonment of mary Queen of Scots, who was tried and executed in the castle in 1587. The castle was dismantled in the 1630s and most of the masonry was removed, leaving only the  earthworks, however the site is now a protected monument and open to the public.

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

Very good detailed descriptions here below of the castle, of the times and of Mary – worth a read!

https://thetudortravelguide.com/2019/02/02/fotheringhay-castle-the-final-dark-act-of-a-scottish-tragedy/

Grail Bloodline Connections:

  • Favoured residence of Cecily Neville (Karl’s cousin) whom married Richard The Duke of York on 3rd May 1415 at Raby Castle (visited on a previous quest)
  • Mary Queen od Scots (Karl’s 6th cousin) excecuted here in 1587 AD. Also known as Mary Stewart, Queen of Scotland 14th December 1542. (forced abdication 1567 AD). Married to King Henry Stewart (07/12/1545 – 10/02/1567) The one son was King James 1st of England (1566 – 1625)
  • King Richard 3rd born here in 1452 AD died 1485 AD. The last king of the ‘House of York’. He was ‘Lord of Ireland’ from 26/06/1483 til his death in 1485. King Richard married a cousin of Karl’s,  Anne Beauchamp De Neville.

‘The Keeper of Scrolls’ AKA Reverend Janis

December 2021- updated January 2022

<moon.willow@ntlworld.com>

 

 

 

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…”

 

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.