rosslyn chapel level 3 materials web nov11

8/13/2019 Rosslyn Chapel Level 3 Materials Web Nov11

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Rosslyn Chapel Educational Materials: Joe Walker & Rosslyn Chapel Trust November 2011

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Rosslyn Chapel

A Study Pack for ScottishStudents

Curriculum for ExcellenceLevel 3Joe Walker


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This Study Pack is designed to be used with school students as part of their study of

Rosslyn Chapel. It is best used as a course leading up to a visit to the Chapel itself

where many of the areas students will examine can be brought to life in the Chapel.

It is principally designed for use in Religious and Moral Education classes in

Scottish schools following the Outcomes and Experiences in the Curriculum forExcellenceprogramme at third level. As such it uses Rosslyn Chapel as a way for

students to explore Beliefs, Values and Practices and Traditions as well as to help

them explore the development of beliefs and values, including their own beliefs and

values and those of others.

The materials could also be used as the focus of interdisciplinary activities, and

whole school rich tasks. They will also support the delivery of Outcomes and

Experiences in the three whole school areas ofLiteracy, Numeracy and Health and

Wellbeing.

In studying Rosslyn there are particular links to subjects such as History andGeography, but also to English, Art, CDT and in fact, all curricular areas could be

linked to Rosslyn and these materials.

It is envisaged that teachers will take an active learning approach to these materials

allowing pupils to question, discuss, explore and reflect upon the issues, ideas and

concepts they raise. The Chapel could easily be the focus of many years of school

study in itself so the materials are designed to allow teachers to dip in and focus on

the areas of most interest and potential benefit to their own students.

Many of the claims and counter-claims linked to Rosslyn Chapel are long and

complex not to mention contentious. These materials are not designed to be a

comprehensive survey of the issues and debates, but simply a way to raise interest

among students and allow them to explore the claims and counter-claims in an

exploratory and reflective way. This should help them develop a better understanding

of their own beliefs and values more fully and appreciate the role of this historic place

in Scottish life.

The materials are largely based on information provided by Fiona Rogan, Education

Manager at the Chapel.

I hope these materials help your students understand more fully a significant featureof the life of our nation.

Joe Walker

June 2011


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1 Rosslyn Chapel.a mystery through history

Rosslyn Chapel has a long history, and is linked with many important events, peoples

and historical figures. Perhaps each one of these helped make it what it is today.and

perhaps along each step of this long history, those

involved in its story have played their part in

shaping what it is today. Perhaps the chapel walls

themselves guard the secrets of a long and variedpast, and hold on to its history.

Part of the tale starts with the Vikings:

Scandinavian peoples who travelled across the

cold North Sea in open ships, looking for new

places to live. Sometimes their encounters with

those whose lands they came to were bloody and

violent -when they conquered with axe-blades and swords. Though sometimes these

meetings were less troubled, and trade took place and families were joined through

the marriage of locals with these strange invaders.

The Vikings ended up all over Europe. In Northern

France they settled in what became known as

Normandythe land of the Northmen. One Viking

family took their name from a French townSt

Clair sur Epte.

The St Clairs travelled to England where they took

part in the battle of Hastings in 1066, alongside

William the Conqueror. The family grew in power

and influence. Soon they settled in Scotland and

were friends of great Kings such as Robert theBruce taking part in the battle of Bannockburn.


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Sir William St Clair was now held in high honour

in Scotland and had lands and power. In 1446, he

decided to build a chapel. The St Clairs had moved

through history and were now settled in this small

Midlothian hamlet and marked it with a smallchapel in which are commemorated many events in

the familys varied past.

The seemingly insignificant chapel they built is

now world-famous, and its mysteries and secrets

have been discussed and argued over for many

years. Thousands visit the chapel each year each with their own reason, but all to

experience something unique, something steeped in the mists of a long - and many

say mysterious history.

Think it through Does the past matter?

Does knowing about your familys past matter?

What do you know about your familys past?

Could your ancestors have had anything to do with the St

Clairs?

Why might William St Clair have decided to build a chapel?

Why might he have built it in a small place like Rosslyn

rather than the more powerful Edinburgh?

Can a building hold on to the past in some unknown way? What do you think might draw so many people from all around the world - to

visit such a small building?

Investigate What does the word Rosslyn mean?

What evidence is there in the chapel of the St Clair family?

Is there any evidence in the chapel which reflects this long and

complex history?

If youre visiting the chapel, perhaps you could ask a few

visitors why they have come here

What different beliefs are there about Rosslyn Chapel and itsmysteries?

Big QuestionsLots of effort has been put in over the centuries to preserve

Rosslyn Chapel. Would it matter if this effort to preserve it was given up? Would aworld without Rosslyn Chapel be any different? Is it important to preserve the past?


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2 Rosslyn Chapel.and Robert the BruceRobert the Bruce is one of the best knownfigures in Scottish history.

His famous victory over the English at the

battle of Bannockburn in 1314 is still

remembered by Scots in the song Flower of

Scotland, which says that the English King,

Edward, was sent home tae think again.

This gruesome battle ran over three days and

though the Scots were outnumbered they won

against a larger and better-equipped English

army.

Some say that the final victory was achieved

with the help of a group of Knights who arrived

towards the end of the battle.

Some say these knights were what remained of

the Knights Templar- though there is no

historical evidence for this.

Fighting alongside Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn was none other than Henry St

Clair, 7th Baron of Rosslyn, and his two sons John and William.

In fact, when Robert the Bruce finally died, John and William were given the highly

honourable job of taking Roberts heart to be buried in the Holy Land.

On their way there however both John and

William were killed in a battle with the

Moors in Spain.

However, it is said that the Moors were soimpressed with their bravery that they

allowed the survivors of the battle to return

home to Scotland carrying the bones of John

and William and the heart of Robert the

Bruce.

In Rosslyn Chapel, there is a carving which

some say is the death mask of Robert the

Bruce himself.

Some say it is the most difficult carving in the whole chapel to discover. If so, whymight this be?


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No matter, again, it would seem that the St Clairs and Rosslyn Chapel were at the

centre of Scottish history.

Think it through Many people still remember

Bannockburn. Should we still

remember battles such as this between

countries which are now united?

Do you feel Scottish, or British or

both?

Why might they have wanted to bury

Roberts heart in the Holy Land?

The Moors were respectful eventowards the enemies they had defeated

in this case. Should we respect ourenemies? Should there be rules in war?

Making a death mask was a common

practice in the past. What do you think

of this practice?

Why do you think there is what some

think is a carving of Robert the Bruces

death mask in Rosslyn Chapel?

Investigate Can you find the death mask of Robert in the chapel? Where is it, why might it be

placed where it is?

Rosslyn Chapel is a Scottish church. In what ways are Scottish churches similarto/different from those in England?

Theres an interesting story about Roberts heart where part of the story took place

as recently as 1998. Whats the story?

How did John and William come to be in Spain? Who were these Moors whodefeated them in battle?

Big QuestionsThe story of Robert the Bruce and his place in Scottish history is used by many as a

way to remind people of their Scottish identity. Should Scotland be an independent

country? Was Robert the Scottish hero he is made out to be? Should Scottish people

become more aware of their identity? Or should we be trying to get closer to our

neighbours rather than separating from them?


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3 Rosslyn Chapel.and why it was builtSir William St Clair

built the chapel in

1446, and hisdescendants are very

proud of this to this

day.

William had the

chapel built for his

own familys use, but

it was also to be a

place of learning

where monks and

priests were trainedso that they could

help others

understand the

Christian faith, and also help others with the ordinary business of making sense of

their lives.

As well as all this, one purpose of the Chapel was as a place to pray for the soul of the

person who built it and all of his family throughout time. In those days, there was a

strong belief in purgatory.

This was a place between heaven and hell where your

soul could wait to work off the things you had done

in life which were holding you back from getting into

heaven. One way your soul could be helped through

purgatory and on into heaven was by people praying

for you.

Some churches at the time were for no other purpose

than praying day and night for the soul of the builder

of the church!

This was part of the reasons for Rosslyns building but

it had other purposes too. When it was built, very few

people could read or write and besides which, the

Bible only existed in Latin so even if you could read

and write, you wouldnt be able to read it.

So, the Chapel became a Bible in stone. Its many

carvings taught ordinary people about the beliefs of the Christian faith, told the stories

of the Bible in the form of stone carvings and taught people valuable lessons about the

nature of life and death itself.


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The chapel also served as a way to record many aspects of the history of the St Clair

family, as well as acting as a place for members of the family to find their final resting

place at death and to wait there for judgement day when they would be resurrected

and judged.

During the Reformation in Scotland the Chapel wasattacked partly because of the stone idols which

they believed it contained in the form of its carvings.

In 1592 its altars were destroyed and it lay in ruins

for many years.

But by 1862, the chapel was in full use again as a

place of worship, as it is today. The St Clair family

is still very much involved in preserving the chapel

proud of the familys achievements and proud of this

small building which is known about all around the

world.

Think it through What do you think of the idea of purgatory?

Do you think you have a soul?

Why do you think most people in 1446 could not read or write?

What achievements are you proud of?

How do you think it might feel to be able to trace your family all the way back tothe Vikings?!

Investigate What Bible teachings and stories might be present in the stones of the chapel?

Why are many of the carvings of scary things; or about death; or ordinary

everyday things?

William St Clair was known as a benefactor. What does this word mean? What

did it mean in the Mediaeval period?

Big QuestionsRosslyn Chapel is a link to the past for the members of the St Clair family. A

reminder of who they are and what their family has done throughout history: How

does your family remember the past? What achievements have there been in your

family in the past and how have they been recorded? Also, we still remember Sir

William because of what he left behind. How might you be remembered (and how

would you like to be remembered) when you have left this world?


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4. Rosslyn Chapel.and the MasonsIn the Middle Ages people who had a trade often joined together to look after the

work they did and to keep the secrets of their trade too!

One such trade was the stonemasons who were the builders of their day. These

stonemasons worked with compasses and set squares, carefully

measuring and numbering to make sure that the things they built

were safe and well-built but also pleasing to look at.

These men would have built anything from

ordinary homes to great public and religious

buildings sharing their skills only with each

other and helping other masons in their guild

improve their craft.

You had to pay a fee to be a member of a guild,

and this fee meant you could learn the secrets of

guild but you had to keep them to yourself.

To become a member you had to go through two stages. These stages were often

called degrees. The first was called the apprentice stage. Here, a boy would train for

up to seven years with an experienced guild member called a journeyman.

Once the boy was sure he had reached a certain level of skill he would present a piece

of work, called the Master Piece to show that he was good enough to be promoted to

the degree of Journeyman. If this piece was good enough he became a full member of

the guild and could earn good money!

Some Journeymen made it to a level called Master Mason. This was where they could

then oversee the work of

others too. In years to

come, this would come to

have a different meaning.

In time, the guild of

masons started toconcentrate less on the

practical work of building

and more on the

meanings behind it all.

Their tools and

techniques started to be

given new meanings

meanings which were

linked to beliefs and

values, theories and ideas.


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Their tools and techniques were sometimes also given symbolic meanings symbols

pointing to something beyond the ordinary. Many of the symbols can still be found

today but their meaning may be known only to other Masons.

Some believe that many of the symbols of the Masons can be found.in Rosslyn

Chapel

Think it through Why do you think the members of the guild wanted to keep their techniques a

secret?

The Masons took a pride in the work they did. What does this mean? Do you take

a pride in your work?

How do people in the modern world show that they have learned things well?

What symbols do you know about and what do they stand for?

Investigate What does the set square and compass symbol mean? What are real set squares and compasses used for?

The carving in the picture above has a name which might be linked to the masons.

What is its name?

What other Masonic carvings might be in Rosslyn Chapel?

Big QuestionsIn todays world the Masons are an international and some say, quite secretive

organisation. What secrets might they hold? What do modern Masons do which is the

same as or different to the masons of the Middle Ages? What might masons be

building nowadays? What do you think about secret organisations? Should peoplekeep secrets?


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5 Rosslyn Chapel.and its stoneworkThe Masons who carved the stones for the Chapel took their work very seriously. Not

only did they want to do a good job to show that they were skilled men, but they were

also working in a church and so their work took on a spiritual significance for them.They were, after all, decorating what they believe to be the house of God not

something to be taken lightly.

And yet, although many of the carvings are linked to the St Clair family, and some to

very obviously religious ideas, some also seem to be a little more peculiar. Why might

such carving be there in the first place?

Are they symbols of something else entirely,

or just a celebration of birth, life and death in

all its variety and are some of the carvingsall that they seem?

Around one window is a carving of maize (corn). Now such corn originally came

from North Americawhich was discovered by Columbus in 149250 years after

Rosslyn was built. How did a carving of corn get here first?

Hanging upside down and tied tightly with rope is Luciferthe angel who became

the devil. Why is the devil carved? Might this have a link to the other kind of masons

you have learned about?

There are green men carvings all around the chapel. These were originally pagan

gods symbols of naturewhy are they in a Christian Church (there are similar

carvings in many Christian churches throughout the UK)

Theres also a carving of an angelnot playing a

harpbut playing the bagpipes is this a Scottish

angel?!


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In the arches of the Lady Chapel there are what have been called musical cubes

with lines and dots on them. Some think these are musical notesothers that they are

a secret code.

Some of these carvings are very mysterious indeed.

Others are very obvious: For example, one set ofcarvings has death pulling all sorts of people off to

meet their end. This reminded people that one day too

they would die and perhaps they should be prepared

for that by living a good life.

Another carving has a woman rescuing a goose from

the jaws of a fox. Was this a symbol, or just a

celebration of the farming community which

surrounded the chapel in times past?

Whatever the explanation for many of the carvings, theChapel has literally hundreds of them. Why were so

many carved? What messages were they trying to

convey? Who designed them and what part do they

play in the story of Rosslyn?

Think it through Why do you think the masons spent so much time and energy in creating so many

carvings?

Do you think the carvings add to the purpose of the building or take away from it?

Which of the carvings do you like best? Why? Are there some carvings which shouldnt be there?

Should carvings in a church all be about religious things?

Investigate How many carvings are there in Rosslyn?

Which carvings in the chapel are controversial? Why?

How do stone masons make a carving? What tools do they sue and what processes

are involved?

The architecture of Rosslyn Chapel is called Late Gothic. Find out what features

of the chapel give it this name, and why this building is unique in Scotland.

Big QuestionsSome people feel that the work people did in the past was done far more carefully

than nowadays. Is this true? Do people still try to do a good job in everything they do

these days? Should we put effort into everything we do or should we just do what

we can get away with!? Also, the stonework in the chapel was done very carefully

because it is a religious building. Should religious buildings be treated with even more

care and respect than other buildings?


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6 Rosslyn Chapel.and its storiesThere are many strange stories linked to Rosslyn Chapel are they true? Will we

ever know?

One story has it that a

Master Mason was asked by

Sir William St Clair to carve

a great stone pillar. He asked

to go to Rome to study the

great pillars there and off hewas sent. Time passed and

he didnt return.

In the meantime a young

apprentice came to Sir

William. He told William

that he had had a strange

dream. In this dream, an

angel came to him and told

him how to carve a great

pillar.

Sir William gave permission

for the young man to carve

the pillar. When he was

done, all were amazed at

what a great piece of work it

was.

However the Master Mason

returned and was furious thatthe pillar had been

completed without him. He took his hammer and killed the young apprentice and was

hanged for this.

It is said that there are two carvings in the Chapel.

One is the apprentice who has a mark on his head where the hammer struck, and the

other is of the Master Mason whose image has to stare at the Apprentices pillar for

all time.

There are similar stories to this told in Churches and Cathedrals all over Europe.


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Was this story really trueis it symbol of something else completely or simply a

story which has been passed down through the ages and linked to many different

buildings all over Europe..?

Or, have many such unlucky Apprentices been killed in just such a way?

Perhaps we will never know.

Think it through Does it matter whether a

story is true or just a

story?

Many stories like this have

happier endings. Does this

story end happily? Many stories such as this

end with the bad guy

getting what he deserves

does that happen in this

story?

Why do people often prefer

a story to be truth rather

than fiction?

Do we always want to know the truth?

Investigate Where is the Apprentice Pillar in the Chapel and what various beliefs are there

about it?

Where can the Apprentice and the Master Masons images be found in the

Church?

Some claim that the pillar is similar to the Viking Yggdrasil tree myth. What isthis story and how might a Viking Myth be appropriate for Rosslyn Chapel?

Big QuestionsIn many cultures of the world, people, places and objects are linked with stories. Why

do stories seem to be such an important part of human nature? What different kinds of

stories are there? Are some stories repeated in different formats around the world-with different places and names in them (but basically the same story)? Why might

this be? Is telling stories a basic human need?


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7 Rosslyn Chapel..and its ghostsEver seen anything strange..anything you cant explain? Some of the visitors to

Rosslyn Chapel have.

In July 2006 a group of actors were rehearsing in the Chapel for a play they were

about to do at the Edinburgh festival. One said that he saw a fairy-like figure in the

grounds of the building.

Another was locking up the chapel at the end of their rehearsal. As he was doing so he

heard the voice of a child in the crypt. Obviously he didnt want to lock the child in

overnight so he went down to the crypt to get the child to find.that there was no-one

there.

Another tale says that the ghost

of a white Lady haunts

Rosslyn Castle. Legend has it

that she is a girl from the St

Clair family who was

bewitched by an evil spell and

sleeps in an enchanted

chamber. Here she is waiting

to be rescued by a knight.

Once rescued, the spell uponher will be broken and the

knight will be granted great

treasures.

Yet another tale is of a phantom dog which roams the grounds around the chapel and

on stormy nights its ghostly barking can be heard.

Of course, throughout history the chapel has been a place where many monks have

gathered for prayer and worship. Some say that there are monks who have never left

the place.

One is seen praying at the altar in the crypt. One report of him has him surrounded by

four knights. Other hooded monks have been seen wandering around the chapel and

its grounds.

As well as these sightings, many have claimed to hear mysterious noises and some

claim that as you approach the crypt you may feel a strange chill wind even on a

warm summers day.

As recently as 2010, some workmen were working through the night in the Chapel.


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Three different groups of workmen worked

overnight and each morning, all said they would

not work in the chapel overnight again. Most did

not want to explain why, though one said that as he

was repairing the steps down to the crypt he felt as

if someone was watching him from behind. Heturned and saw a monk in a brown cassock

watching him. He ran out of the building and asked

the night watchman to go in and look

inside.unsurprisinglyno monk could be

found.

Are these just stories, or does Rosslyn hold more

than mere memories.?

Think it through Do you think ghosts exist?

What evidence is there for/against the existence of ghosts?

What other explanations could there be for the ghost stories of Rosslyn?

Do you think people want to see ghosts? Why might they do this?

Are some places and buildings more likely to have ghost stories than others?

Investigate Many ghost stories throughout Scotland and the world are often quite similar. Can

you find any ghosts stories which are similar to the ones you have read here?

What different kinds of ghosts or eerie experiences do people usually report?

What similarities and differences are there about the stories?

How might a report of the sighting of a ghost be investigated? Should we

investigate such things?

Big QuestionsMany people believe in ghosts and many do not. Why do you think some do and some

dont? Could it ever be possible to get evidence for the existence of a ghost which

everyone would believe? If there are ghosts, why has no-one yet proved that they

exist beyond all doubt? Are ghosts all in the mind?


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8 Rosslyn Chapel.a Christian churchIt is easy to forget in amongst all the mystery

and strangeness that Rosslyn Chapel is an

ordinary living Christian church. People stillworship and pray there. They still meet to

think about lifes purpose and many spend

time there, not because they want to think

about the strange mysteries of life or the

many claims about the Chapel itself, but

because they want time to think about and

reflect upon the ordinary things of life.

The church is in many ways just an ordinary

church helping people to cope with the

challenges of everyday life.

The Chapel was originally known as the

Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew. Its quite

ordinary purpose when it was built was as a place for Holy Mass and prayer according

to the style of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Monks who were here also spent a lot of time saying prayers for the souls of the

builders of the church as well as the St Clair family which was all quite normal back

in the 15th Century. In fact, they said prayers for the dead to help them in their

afterlife!

The church was also a kind of college, where men learned to become priests.

Nowadays it is no longer a Roman Catholic Church but part of the Scottish Episcopal

Church. Services of worship go on here just as in any other such church. There are

weddings and baptisms, funerals and celebrations at different times of year such as

Easter and Christmas for example.

The altar at the front of the church is where the

Eucharist is celebrated, and there is a baptismal font

where babies are baptised and welcomed into thechurch.

The congregation of the church meets regularly

there are evening and weekday services, and sung

Eucharists. There are events called quietness by

candlelight and you can request that the congregation

prays for you or a loved one or lights a candle on

your behalf or for someone special to you. Theres

even a Childrens church which meets every two

weeks in the visitor centre.


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Christians will meet in the church for worship, to mark special occasions and times of

year and to learn about their faith and support others in it.

Like all Christian churches, Rosslyn is a place to retreat from the world, but at the

same time to face the worlds challenges. The congregation of the church not only

prays and worships there but helps others at home and around the world throughcharity work.

Christians believe that a Church is a place to meet

with God as well as a place to meet with other

Christians.

Think it through Do you need to be in a particular building to

communicate with God?

How do you think the ordinary Christians inRosslyn Chapel cope with its worldwide fame?

Do you think they like it or might it be a

nuisance?!

How and where do you think about and reflectupon the challenges of everyday life?

What do you think quietness by candlelight is

all about?

Why do you think the congregation offers topray for people it might not even know? Why

might they light a candle for such a person?

In what ways might the Childrens Church bedifferent to the adult one?Investigate

Find out what the different types of worship which go on at Rosslyn are like.

What is Eucharist, evensong etc?

When did Rosslyn change from being a Roman Catholic Church to an Episcopalchurch? Why did this happen? What are the differences between the two

denominations?

What evidence can you find in the church that it is not just a historic building buta living group of Christians?

Which objects in the church have the same function as in any other church? (Even

if they are very old and quite unique!)

Big QuestionsSome people say that Christianity is on the

decline in this country others disagree

stronglywhat do you think? Also, some

think that some types of Christian worship

are old-fashioned and not suited to the

modern worldwhat do you think?

Should Christian worship be trendy ortimeless?


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9 Rosslyn Chapel.and its famous visitorsAs well as an astonishing history, the Chapel has attracted many visitors over the

years. Some have been drawn by its mysteries, some by its architecture and beauty

and some as a place where they can think more deeply about lifes important things.

As you stand in the chapel, imagine who has stood just where you are, perhaps many

years ago. As they looked at the same stone carvings that youre looking at what

might have been going through their mind?

One such famous visitor was a man who spent some time in

Edinburgh being praised for his poetry. It is said that he walked

from the centre of Edinburgh out to Rosslyn along with another

man an equally famous painter, Alexander Naysmith. In fact,

Naysmith later painted the picture of the poet which has

become perhaps the most famous picture of him ever. The poet

was none other than Scotlands National Poet, Robert Burns.

What might have drawn these two to the chapel.? It is known

that they were both members of the Masonic Order. Perhaps

this is why they came seeking a link with a place so important for the Masonic

world.

Another famous Scottish writer was also a visitor to Rosslyn Chapel. Sir Walter Scott

visited the Chapel and even it is said used the Chapel as the basis of a Church

which featured in his book The Talisman written in 1872.This novelmaybe unsurprisingly was aboutthe Knights Templar and their role in

the crusades.

Scotts poem, The Lay of the Last Minstrel brought so much

attention to the village of Roslin, that a coaching inn had to be built

next to the chapel to accommodate the tourists. The building is still

used today as a holiday cottage.

Writers Dorothy and William Wordsworth visited in 1803, and during

their visit there was a terrible storm. After this

William wrote a poem, Composed in Roslin Chapel during a storm

As well as these famous writers and artists, many other famous people may have

stood where you are standing. Each one came away from Rosslyn with their own

views about the place. Each one also very probably made their own contribution to

keeping Rosslyn going either by convincing others to look after it, or by getting

others thinking about its importance in the history of our world.

In 1842, Queen Victoria visited and requested that the Chapel be cared for so that

future generations would be able to enjoy it.

Our present Queen and the Prince of Wales have visited the chapel in recent times.


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Around 2000, the writer Dan Brown visited, and of course,

Rosslyn Chapel was the set for the final scene in the book and

the film The Da Vinci Code with the Oscar-winning actor

Tom Hanks playing his part alongside the Chapel itself.

Through the ages many have come to the Chapel for manydifferent reasons. Why did you come? What were you looking

for?

Think it through Why did you come to Rosslyn Chapel? Did you find what you were looking for?

Why do you think so many writers have been drawn to the Chapel? Burns was a Mason. What might he have been looking for at the Chapel?

What things about the Chapel do you think theses famous visitors would have find

most interesting?

Do you have a place where you can think more deeply about lifes important

things?

Investigate Do any of Burns poems mention Rosslyn? Might any of them have been

influenced by his visit?

What paintings are there of Rosslyn? What do these different paintings try to sayabout the Chapel?

Where else is Sir Walter Scott remembered? Why is he such an important figurein Scottish history? What other writings by him might be linked to Rosslyn or the

Templars?

Big QuestionsPeople seem to like to visit famous places. What makes a place famous? Why do

we seem to be attracted to places which have attracted famous people? Why do we

like to stand where famous people have stood and to look at the things they saw?

Does this in some way help us to feel connected to them? Does it make us feel morelike we are a part of something bigger?


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10 Rosslyn Chapel.and the Da Vinci CodePerhaps you have seen

Rosslyn Chapel before.?

Some of the final scenes of

the movie the Da Vinci Code

take place in Rosslyn Chapel.

Here, the main character,

Robert Langdon ends up in

Rosslyn Chapel after he

cracks a code hidden in an

ancient object.

He visits the chapel withSophie Neveu a young

Frenchwoman who has

followed him all over Europe trying to find the killer of her grandfather.

Her grandfather, it seems, wanted to pass on a great secret to her, but was killed

before he could do so.

Their travels take them to many famous places in

Europe many of which have been linked with

stories of the Holy Grailand of the Knights

Templar and many of which are linked to the

idea of the Rose.

In Rosslyn Langdon and Sophie meet a

mysterious group of people. These are people who

are part of a secret organisation.

This organisation has protected the secret of the

Holy Grail since the time of Jesus.

The secret is that the Grail was Mary Magdalene,the carrier of Jesus children.

They reveal that Mary was once buried in Rosslyn

Chapel.

They also reveal that Sophie is a descendent of Maryand so a living descendent of

Jesus.

They vow to protect her for the rest of her life.


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This film is based on a book by Dan Brown. Some say

this book should just be treated as an interesting read and

not as containing any truth.

Some say there are truths in his book.

There are many different opinions about Dan Browns

bookand there can be quite heated discussion about it.

Is the Da Vinci code just an interesting book an

enjoyable movie? Does it mix up facts and fiction so that

we dont know which is which any more? Is Rosslyn

Chapels place in the story just thatpart of a made-up

story?

Or did Rosslyn really play such a big part in the tale

because it does indeed hold the secret of the Holy Grailor of Mary Magdalene?

Is the Da Vinci code pointing to the truthor just a story?

Is Rosslyn Chapel more than a building, or is the building itself something to be

treasured

Think it through Why do you think some people were very annoyed by the Da Vinci code book and

film? Do you think they were right to be annoyed?

Some people think you should refuse to read a book or see a film which youdisagree with. What do you think?

Some people may question why those in charge of Rosslyn Chapel allowed the

Church to be used in the making of the film. Were they right to do so?

How might anyone work out whats fact and fiction in the Da Vinci code?

Investigate The Da Vinci Code produced a lot of disagreement and even some strong

arguments. What were the arguments about? What different views were held bythe different sides in the argument?

According to the book and the film, what part did Rosslyn Chapel play in the

story?

Which parts of the story do some claim are fact and some are fiction?

Big QuestionsFor many, the Da Vinci Code is just a story for others it contains truths. How do we

work out in our life what is true and what is not? How do we reach agreements when

people have different versions of the truth? (and do we always reach agreement?)

Some also feel that the Da Vinci Code story was in some way offensive to theirbeliefs. Should stories not be told because they may offend people?


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11 Rosslyn Chapel.and Solomons TempleMany thousands of years ago a great warrior King named David brought together two

desert lands, Judah and Israel. Davids God had a name which was so powerful that it

was never said aloud, and to this day, Jewish people refer to God

as Lord (Adonoi) or The Name (Ha Shem) rather than his

name of power which is

To honour his God, David decided to create a great temple, but

David died before this could be done.

Davids son Solomon did build the temple though and an

impressive building it must have been. It was built in the holiest

city of Jerusalem. Inside the temple itself were the holiestobjects from the faith which Solomon and his people followed.

These included the Ark of the Covenant, a box in which the

presence of God was believed to be found, and which had been

carried into battles, its power helping the armies to great

victories.

This great Temple of Solomon survived intact for many years,

until it was destroyed in 597BC in a war with Bablyon. The

Temples treasures were removed.

The Ark of the Covenant disappeared and many still search for it today hoping

perhaps to find a direct link to God himself.

The Temple was rebuilt by Herod and according to Christians was visited by Jesus

himself. However, in AD 70 it fell again at the hands of the Romans.

Today, all that remains of the

great temple is the western

wallor is it?

There are some who claimthat Rosslyn Chapel is a

scaled-down model of the

temple which Herod rebuilt.

Not only that, but some also

claim that some of the

treasures lost when the

temple was destroyed were

brought from the land of

Israelto find a home in

Midlothian.


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Perhaps Rosslyn Chapel is a living reminder of what the great temple in Jerusalem

once looked like. Perhaps it too once held treasures beyond imagination.

Could Rosslyn be the resting place of the holiest

objects of the Israelites. Could the Ark of the

Covenant be here? Would this mean that thepresence of God is here in this chapel, in a way

where it is present in no other building in the

world?

Think it through Can a name have power?

Should a God help his people to win battles?

How might the presence of God be in a box?

Why might the builders of Rosslyn have

wanted to copy Solomons Temple? Should the people who look after Rosslyn

search it for any treasures?

If some very ancient holy object was found at

Rosslyn, what do you think the reaction would

be?

Investigate

What features of Rosslyn chapel are thought to be replicas of Solomons temple? How do some believe the chapel

came to be a replica of Solomons

Temple?

How do some believe treasures came

all the way from Israel to Rosslyn?

Where might any hidden treasures bein Rosslyn?

Big QuestionsFor many, the possibility of a linkbetween Rosslyn Chapel and Solomons

Temple (and the possible treasures it

might contain from that temple) are the

biggest and most interesting aspects of

Rosslyns existence. Should more

exploration of the chapel be done to see if any of these things are true? What

difference would it make if they were found to be false? What difference would it

make if this theory is found to be false?


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12 Rosslyn Chapel.and the Knights TemplarIn Jerusalem, the great Temple lay ruined for many years, as various groups fought to

control this holiest of cities.

Christians in the West and Islam in the Easttook, lost and retook this great city over the

years.

Many died attempting to conquer itor

attempting to defend it.

In 1118, a group was founded who would be

linked to the Temple, Jerusalem and

Rosslyn Chapel from that moment on.

Hughes de Payens and eight Knights

founded the Knights Templar.

Though they started off as protectors of those travelling to the Holy Land, they also

had an interest in the great buildings of Jerusalemincluding the great Temple at its

heart.

Some say that the Templars spent many years excavating the Temple others

disagree. However, in 1139 they were granted unheard of powers by the head of the

Church, Pope Innocent II.

No-one is sure why such extraordinary power was granted so uniquely to these

knights; though some believe that this great power was given to them because of what

they had found in the great Templeperhaps we will never know.

The Knights Templar grew in

power, and mighty kings began

to fear and distrust them

persecuting them and hounding

them out of their lands.

Many Templar Knights wereeven burned at the stake

defenders of the Christian faith

who had now become its

terrible victims.

As the Knights escaped from

mainland Europe it is said by some that as they fled they took their treasuresand

their secrets... with them.

Was Henri St Clair a Templar? Did the Templars treasuresdid their powerful

secrets find a homeand a final resting placesomewhere near Rosslyn?


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Think it through Christians and Muslims fought over Jerusalem

for many years. Should religious people fight

for their beliefs? What might have made the Templars want to

excavate the great Temple in Jerusalem? What

might they have been looking for?

What kinds of powers do you think the Popewould have granted to them?

Why do people often fear those who are rich

and powerful?

What secrets might the Templars havediscovered which people might want to know

about?

How well can you keep a secret? What things do you treasure?

Investigate What evidence is there in Rosslyn Chapel that it might have a link with the

Knights Templar?

What do some believe the Templars might have discovered in Jerusalem?

If there are treasures or secrets hidden by the Templarswhere might they be?Why have they not been discovered yet?

Some think the Templars secrets are hidden as symbols in the stone carvings

inside the chapelcan you suggest which carvings might have symbolicmeanings?

Rosslyn Chapel lay empty and abandoned for 270 years. If treasure had been

hidden there, would it not have been found?

Are there still Knights Templar in the 21st Century?

Big QuestionsSuppose that somewhere in the Midlothian area there are hidden treasures and secrets

of the Knights Templar. Should these treasures and secrets remain undisturbed? What

if any- advantages might there be in revealing them? What if the secrets are

frightening, or disappointing, or revealing them would do more harm then good?Should Rosslyns mysteries remain mysteries for all time? Should all our questions be

answered?


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relative of Jesus. It is said that Joseph looked after it and passed it onand that the

Grail survives to this day.

Legends also say that the Grail has mysterious powers. Some say that whoever drinks

from it will have everlasting life.

Some believe that the Grail travelled from

Israel all the way through Europe down

through the agesand that it passed from one

to another through this timeincluding times

when it was guarded by Templar Knights.

At the end of its long and complicated travels,

some believe that it found its final resting

placein Rosslyn Chapel

Think it through Why would the cup Jesus used at the last supper be important to his followers?

Why might they have caught the blood of Jesus at his crucifixion?

Could a cup with the power to give everlasting life really exist?

Would you want to live forever?

Why do you think stories about the Holy Grail have survived down through the

ages?

Investigate The Holy Grail features in the legends of King Arthur. What are these legends?

What do they claim about the Grail?

At what other locations in the world do some claim the Grail can be found?

If the Grail was the cup used by Jesus at the last supper, what would such a cuplook like? Jewels encrusted? Plain?

Who was Joseph of Armimathea? How might

he be linked to Rosslyn Chapel and the Holy

Grail?

Big QuestionsAfter all these years, should we still be looking for

the Holy Grail How would we know if we had

found it? What difference would it make if we had

it? What should happen to it if it was discovered?

Sold? Placed in a Museum? Placed in a Church?

What kinds of tests might scientists and/or

religious people want done on it if any? Should we

leave it and enjoy the mystery?


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14 Rosslyn Chapel.and the Holy Grailpart 2)

This is the famous

painting by

Leonardo Da Vinci

which shows Jesus

and his disciples

who were all male -

at the Last Supper.

Look carefully at thefigure indicated by

the arrow. Does this

person look male?

What does theperson on this

persons left appear

to be doing with his

hand?

Some say that the person indicated by the arrow is Mary Magdalene a follower of

Jesus. She appears to be sitting at the right hand of Jesus a position which suggests

that she is very important indeed. The person one her right appears to be drawing

his hand across her neck in a sign which suggests an angry cut-throat action.

Could Da Vinci be suggesting that this person wasMary Magdalene? Could Da Vincis painting be

designed to suggest that the other disciples were jealous

of Mary?

Could the positions of Jesus and Mary in this

painting suggest the letter M and so further stress her

importance?

Could the position of Mary in the painting and the

disciples jealousy, be explained by the possibility that

Mary Magdalene was more than a special disciple ofJesusthat she was the wife of Jesus?

Some believe that all this may be true and that Da Vinci

may have been giving away the true secret of the Holy

Grail.

It is believed by some that the Holy Grail legends first came to light in France and

that the phrase San Graal (Holy Grail) was a mistranslation of Sang Real (Holy

Blood). (Though his theory has been disproved by academics in recent years).

But some continue to believe that the blood of Jesus was in a sense carried by the

Grail because the Grail itself was not a cup, but the bloodline, or descendents, of

Jesus himselfor perhaps even Mary Magdalene herself


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Some believe that Mary was taken out of Israel after the death of Jesus and even

that she had children by Jesus.

Some claim that these descendents of Jesus and Mary were protected through the ages

that even the Knights Templar had a role as their protectors.

Some say that after Marys death,

her body was buried secretly and

perhaps even moved several times.

Of course, there are also some who

say that there is no evidence at all

for any of these claimsand that

they are all just stories people have

made up.

Does Rosslyn Chapel hold the

answer to these questions?

Think it through Is there any evidence that Jesus was married? (or not married?)

Da Vincis Last Supper was painted in the 15th Century. Would Da Vinci have

known anything about any relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene?

Would it make any difference if Jesus had been married? If Jesus and Mary did have a child (or children), how many descendents of Jesus

could be alive today?

The Christian Church is (generally) very opposed to the idea that Jesus was

married. Why might this be?

If all the stories about Jesus and Mary Magdalene are untrue, why might peoplehave made them up?

Investigate If an unidentified body (or bones, or other body relics) were found, how would

scientists investigate their possible sources? The carvings in Rosslyn Chapel are said to contain many secret messages. Are

there any carvings which might suggest a link with Mary Magdalene?

Big QuestionsSuppose that a mysterious body was found in Roslin Glen. Suppose that through

scientific tests it was found that this body was of a woman who probably lived around

2000 years ago. Suppose a genetic link was found between her and people living in

Israel at the time of Jesuswould this prove that she was Mary Magdalene? Would

this prove that she was the wife of Jesus? Would this, in fact, prove anything?


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15 Rosslyn Chapel .and the Earths energyAll over the UK powerful

but invisiblechannelling

energy and spiritual poweracross the land: An energy

which can be felt by those in

the knowwhich can lead

them to placeswhich links

places of spiritual importance

across the country joining

them together with spiritual

power.

These are called Ley lines, and

those who believe in them think that you can map them like any other feature of the

earth. Some claim that one such invisible line of energy passes straight through the

site of Rosslyn Chapel itself. In fact, they say, that is why it is built where it is.

Some claim to feel this lines energy in the chapel itself. Others use things called

dowsing rods which they believe pick up this earth energy and can direct them to

water, gems and all sorts of other things. Some believe that Rosslyns existenceand

many of its important features are linked to these lines of spiritual power.

If so there may even link to its name for some believe the particular line of energy

which passes through Rosslyn is called the Rose Line, and Rosslyns name is boundto this line.

More than that, some believe that

this idea of the rose goes further.

They suggest that Mary the Mother

of Jesus was known as Mary of the

Rose and so the Chapels name is

linked with the name of Mary and

her descendents indeed, such

people say that the name of the

Chapel suggests that the Rose Line or descendents of Mary is what

the Chapel is all about.

Could the earth give out such

energy in regular patterns? Could

some be able to experience this energy? Does this physical energy have some kind of

spiritual element? Is this the reason why Roslin Chapel is where it is?

And what of the link to the Rose? Could this be a link with Mary and her

descendents?


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Or is all of this simply superstitionideas, beliefs, claims which can never really be

proved or disproved?

True or false, the claims are therewhy should Rosslyn Chapel be one point where

such claims are often directed?

Think it through Could such lines exist? How could they be

proved or disproved?

Are those experiencing these lines really

feeling somethingor is it all in their

mind?

Could some be more sensitive to this kind

of energy than others?

Can you feel a spiritual force? Do such

things have any real existence? Have you ever felt or experienced

something which cant be explained?

Investigate Find out about this Rose Line and the beliefs attached to it. What other sites in the

world does this join Rosslyn to?

How does dowsing work? What do the people who believe in it claim? How

could you test it scientifically? Should you do so?

These Ley lines are all about the earths energy. What energy does the earthproduce? How? How is this usually measured?

Does the name Rosslyn really have a link with Rose or the Rose Line?

Big QuestionsFor some, this link with spiritual energy is

one of Rosslyns biggest attractions and one

of the reasons why they think it is such an

important site. If this spiritual energy cannot

be shown to exist using scientific methods,

does this mean that it doesnt exist? Caneverything be proved or disproved by

science? Should we use science in this way,

or accept that some things may be not be

scientifically testable?


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16 Rosslyn Chapel.a treasure in itselfSo Rosslyn Chapel is full of mystery. It has a long and complicated history. There are

many different views about many aspects of its history. There may be symbols in the

Chapel which point to secrets as yet undiscovered. Perhaps there are questions whichhavent even been asked yet. Perhaps there are answers waiting to be found. Perhaps

not.

Maybe though, it is the treasure that is Rosslyn Chapel itself which we should be

marvelling at. Perhaps we shouldnt concern ourselves too much with strange stories,

weird happenings, and mysterious history. Perhaps we shouldnt be concerned with

what may lie hidden.

Perhaps what we should be interested in is what is there for all to see.

A small chapel which has stood the test of time, which has drawn people from all over

the world for so many different reasons. A place where workers have spent countless

hours of their time creating things which would last for ever, and a place where even

today time, energy and commitment are put into preserving this special place for

others in the future and for generations to come.

Perhaps Rosslyns

major attraction is that

it serves to remind us

of a different way to

approach life a morespiritual way, a way

which is more

concerned with the

whole meaning of our

lives than the busy

bustling lives we lead

in the 21st Century.

Perhaps Rosslyn

reminds us that there

may be more to living than we think that there may be a dimension to life aspiritual dimension which we sometimes overlook at our cost.

Perhaps we shouldnt be looking for holy grails, for treasure, for remains of long-dead

people no matter who they were. Perhaps we should allow Rosslyn to help us look

more closely at ourselves and our own lives. Perhaps it could serve rather like a

mirror telling us something about ourselves as human beings what we believe,

what we value and how we live our lives in practice.

Perhaps its treasure lies not in what it might be, but rather in what it is.


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Think it through Throughout your studies about Rosslyn Chapel, what have you learned about the

chapel, other people and yourself?

What do you think is the most valuable lesson this place has to teach us?

In what ways is it a special place? Where are your special places? What could you do to help preserve the chapel?

How has learning about this place affected the way you see your life?

Investigate How much does it cost to preserve Rosslyn Chapel each year and how is this

money raised?

What is being done at the chapel to preserve it for the future?

What possible threats are there to the Chapel building and how are these being

responded to?

What different people are working to preserve the chapel and how are they doingso?

Big QuestionsSome people might say that looking after an old building isnt worth the money and

that such money could be better spent on other things. Others think that looking after

places like Rosslyn is something very important and which can benefit us all. What do

you think? How might the world be a better world because of the existence of places

like Rosslyn Chapel? What have you learned from Rosslyn Chapel?


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TEACHERS NOTES

Throughout these materials the aim has been to encourage children to explore the

Chapel, the claims surrounding it and its mysteries. The aim was also to help young

people to think about their views, beliefs and values; and their place in the world.

Of necessity, many of the complex historical claims and counter-claims would not

have been possible to cover in any great depth. There are many conflicting views and

theories about the Chapel itself, the stories attached to it and the claims made for it.

This section contains information which you the teacher may wish to explore with

pupils according to their level of study and the reasons why they are examining

Rosslyn in the first place.

Ch1The St Clairs are descended from Rognvald the Mighty, King, or Jarl of Norway.

Rognvalds grandson Rollo made peace with the King of France in 911 and wasgranted lands in northern France, and the title Duke of Normandy. The family took

the name St Clair after the town of St Clair sur Epte, where they signed the peace

treaty. The family thrived, and settled throughout Normandy, including the town of

St Clair sur Elle.

In 1066 the St Clairs travelled to England where they took part in the battle of

Hastings in 1066, alongside William the Conqueror. (said to have been an illegitimate

cousin of William the Seemly St Clair). The family grew in power and influence

with King Malcolm Canmore giving them and other Norman nobles, lands in

Scotland.

Soon they settled in Scotland and became friends of great Kings such as Robert the

Bruce taking part in the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Sir Henry St Clair was one

of the signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. By 1446, Sir William St

Clair was now held in high honour in Scotland and had lands and power. He decided

to build a chapel. By 1484, when Sir William died, only the choir section was

finished. His son Oliver did not complete the grand building which was his fathers

vision. Instead, it became St Matthews Collegiate Church, a centre of learning and

family burial place.

Ch 2The St Clairs of Roslin have a long history of defending the Scottish monarchs ever

since their arrival in Midlothian. Sir William St Clair fought at the Battle of Largs in

1263, helping to save Scotland from Viking invasion. In 1303, his son William

fought at the Battle of Roslin, against English invasion. Sir Henry St Clair signed the

Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, having fought bravely for Robert the Bruce at the

Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

Ch 3


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Rosslyn Chapel was built as a collegiate church. It was called the Collegiate Church

of St Matthew. There were around 42 collegiate churches in Scotland, but very few

survive. They were so-called because they housed a college, or community of

priests. At Rosslyn there was a provost and six prependiaries, whose job was to say

prayers for the souls of the St Clair family to lessen the time they might spend in

Purgatory. Collegiate churches were outlawed by acts of the Scottish Parliament in1560 and 1567, because the Presbyterian Church did not believe in Purgatory. The

family clung on to their faith for over 30 years, but in 1592 Oliver St Clair was

summoned to Parliament and ordered to destroy the Catholic altars. As the Church

was privately owned by the family, it was not taken over by the Presbyterian Church,

but as Catholic worship was now banned, the church was closed and it lay abandoned

for the next 270 years.

Ch 4When the word Freemasonry is mentioned, people often think of secret societies, or

strange rituals. Its origins in the operative craft guilds, (early forms of trades unions),

is less well known. There is also confusion about the origins of Freemasonry, becausesymbols used the early crafts guilds, were later adopted by non-operative

Freemasonry societies. Members of such groups, seeing familiar symbols in the

Chapel, fuelled speculation that Rosslyn is the home of Freemasonry. But in truth,

Freemasonry as we know it today did not emerge until the 17th Century, long after the

chapel was built. But for many Freemasons today, Rosslyn Chapel is an important

symbol.

Ch 5The alleged death mask of Robert the Bruce was first mentioned in a 1992 publication

with no source given and never mentioned anywhere before. Medieval Stonemasons

were known to carve faces within the buildings they worked on, possibly even faces

of people who had been killed in the construction process. At other times they may

have concealed faces of their co-workers as gargoyles or green men, as a private joke.

Other faces may have represented significant people of the day, whose names are now

lost in history.

Ch 6The Apprentice Pillar story is our most famous tale. But it is likely to be just that a

story. There are stories of murdered apprentices in many churches throughout

Europe.

Ch 7There are many ghost stories surrounding ancient sites in Scotland. There are

recurring themes in these stories. A ghost dog, or black dog, is common, as are

monks, priests and grey or white ladies.

Ch8

Rosslyn Chapel is today a working church. Its congregation belongs to the Scottish

Episcopal Church, which is part of the Anglican Communion. There is a part time

priest in charge. The congregation is small, but very loyal, and has to balance all the

usual church functions in a building which is a world-wide tourist attraction.


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There is a church service each Sunday morning, and an Evensong service in the

evening. Volunteers conduct a 15 minute prayer service several times a week

throughout the year. The chapel occasionally has to close to accommodate weddings

and funeral services, which can be challenging when tourists turn up demanding

entry.

Ch9A visit to Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott reveals his fascination

with the carvings of Rosslyn Chapel. For Sir Walter reproduced many of our carvings

in his Library at Abbotsford. Just as the Da Vinci Code today brings many tourists to

the chapel, the poems and novels of Sir Walter Scott brought about a tourism boom to

the Roslin Glen area.

Ch10The Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction, but it takes inspiration from The Holy Blood

and the Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln,

published in 1982 and followed in 1989 with The Temple and the Lodge. Thesebooks brought to wide public attention a theory, since largely discredited, that the

term Holy Grail was a mistranslation, and referred to a Holy Bloodline from Jesus

Christ and Mary Magdalene. It was suggested that the Knights Templar had protected

the bloodline, hence their vast wealth and influence in the Crusading period. There

was also a suggestion that the Templars fled to Scotland after their fall from Grace,

and that their treasure may be buried in or near the village of Roslin. Many books

followed, and Rosslyn Chapel found its visitor numbers rising steadily from the date

of the publication of these early books.

Ch11Some people have suggested that Rosslyn Chapel is a copy of Solomons Temple, or

Herods Temple. Since no-one actually knows what these temples looked like, it is

hard to prove. A number of self-published books use diagrams and explanations to

demonstrate their belief, but there has been no hard evidence to support this theory.

In fact, the chapel is much more likely to have been inspired by the East Quire of

Glasgow Cathedral, of which the chapel is a replica in miniature if you look beyond

the ornate carvings at Rosslyn. Sir William St Clair was familiar with Glasgow, and

was known to admire it greatly.

Ch12

Some suggest that a reading of Kings and Chronicles in the bible explains a numberof the religious carvings. Previous writers (and guidebooks) refer to the chapel as a

bible in stone. Architects point out the similarities of the floor plans of Rosslyn and

Glasgow Cathedral and both arguably have a Douglas influence.

Stories of treasure at Rosslyn are not new. Stories of treasure under the chapel are, or

at least 2 3 decades new! Previously the treasure of Roslin was either to be found in

the castle or the glen.

Ch13

In 1309 there was a well-known trial against the Templars in which St Clairs gaveevidence!


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Much of the modern Templar theories about Rosslyn arose after the 1982 book The

Holy Blood and the Holy Grail.

There had been a Templar church and administration base at Balantrodoch, just a few

miles from Roslin since 1129. And some say that Hughes de Payens married a St

Clair, but there is little evidence to support this idea.

Ch14Perhaps before studying this section teachers may like to take some time to look more

closely at grail history more generally. Many argue that the grail is a 2000 year old

artefact: Others are convinced that it is a literary device first mentioned/invented by

Chrtien de Troyes in the late 1100s.

Theories that the grail found its final resting place in Rosslyn were first proposed by

Walter Johannes Stein and his pupil Trevor Ravenscroft who wrote The Spear of

Destiny and The Mark of the Beast in the 1960s. These were a precursor to many

alternative theories that followed- such as the books that inspired Dan Brown.

Ch15There are many claims and counter-claims about the veracity of Dan Browns novel.

Many of the claims the book alludes to are well-known from other scholars such as

the materials contained in other books. However, some historians regard all that is

claimed in the Da Vinci Code as fiction and claim that there is little if any historical

evidence in support of its claims.


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Copyright Text and Pictures

This Study Guide is held in joint copyright by Joe Walker and Rosslyn Chapel Trust (RCT). The guide

may be reproduced within educational establishments for non-commercial purposes only. It may notbe sold or distributed outside educational establishments.

The photographs of the interior and exterior of Rosslyn Chapel are copyright property of Rosslyn

Chapel Trust (RCT.. Most photographs and images by RCT may be reproduced under a CreativeCommons Licence (Attribution Non- Commercial No Derivatives). This licence does not apply to

any photographs or images of the Apprentice Pillar. All photographs and images of the Apprentice

Pillar are strictly copyright of and with all rights reserved by RCT. Photographs and images of the

Apprentice Pillar may not be used without the express, prior written permission of RCT.

All other photographs and images used in this Study Guide are reproduced here by permission of the

photographer or copyright owner under a Creative Commons Licence or similar, as further detailedbelow. If viewing this document online, a hyperlink to the particular licence can be accessed from the

words Creative Commons Licence under the picture credit as at the date of publication of this Study

Guide.In preparing this guide, we have taken every step to ensure that we have the relevant permissions for

images used. However, If you see an image here that you recognise as breaching copyright, please

contact [email protected] and we will take immediate action to remove the image.

Cover Page

South Door (exterior) Photograph RCT/ Fiona Rogan

Ch1 A Mystery Through History

P3 Exterior of chapelPhotograph RCT

Viking 1 Katherine Nagl

www.flickr.com/photos/chatiryworld/79066793/Reproduced underCreative Commons licence [CC BY-ND 2.0]Robert the Bruce statue, Bannockburn, by Kim Traynorwww.geograph.org.uk/photo/1538090

Copyright Kim traynorand licensed for reuse under this Creative CommonsLicence

P4 photographs of the chapel RCT

Ch2: Robert the Bruce

P5 Robert the Bruce statue, Lochmaben, Dumfries Ian Britton for Freefoto.com

( http://www.freefoto.com/preview/17-30-52/Robert-the-Bruce-statue--Lochmaben)Reproduced by permission of Freefoto underCreative Commons Licence [CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

Bannockburn photograph Richard Webb (www.geograph.org.uk/photo/25783)Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence [CC BY-SA 2.0]

P 6 Carving alleged to be death mask of Robert the Bruce RCT

Ch3 Why it was built

P7-8 Chapel photographs RCT

Ch4 The Masons

P9 Masonic sign graphic G.M. Onuschak

www.gbp.net/valleylodge/art.htmlReproduced underCreative Commons licence: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0


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P9 Stone masons hands from a photograph of a mannequin in Norwich Castle Museumand Art Gallery Reproduced with the kind permission of the Museum

P10 Interior of chapel RCT/Neil Hamliton

Ch5: Stonework

P11 Green Man RCT/ Neil HamiltonP12 Musical Cubes RCT/Neil Hamilton

Angel with bagpipes RCT/Neil Hamilton

Ch6: Stories

P13-14 Chapel images RCT/Antonia Reeve

Ch7 Ghosts

P15-16 Chapel images RCT

Ch8: A Christian ChurchP17 Sunday worship, photo RCTBaptismal Font RCT

P18 Collage photo RCTChurch Candles imageby Ian Britton Freefoto.com

Ch9: Famous Visitors

P19: Photograph of Robert Burnspainting by Alexander Nasmyth Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk

P19: The Talisman: By Sir Walter ScottDavid, Earl of Huntingdon - Frontispiece to 1861 edition by AC Black

P20 Tom Hanks Hollywood star Loren Javierwww.flickr.com/photos/lorenjavier/4453214978/Reproduced underCreative Commons Licence [CC BY-ND 2.0]

Ch10 Da Vinci Code

P21 Da Vinci code object: www.flickr.com/photos/dcreeves2000/147257996/Photo David ReevesReproduced underCreative Commons Licence [CC BY-NC 2.0]Da Vinci self-portraitin red chalk

Photo from Wikimedia Commons. This image is considered to be in the publicdomain

Da Vinci protestor Photo Heather Champwww.flickr.com/photos/heather/149837888/Reproduced underCreative Commons Licence [ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

Ch11 Solomons Temple

P23 Ark :photo Schmishwww.flickr.com/photos/schmish/3436037309/Reproduced underCreative Commons licence [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]Wailing Wall: www.flickr.com/photos/decafinata/3936855629/

Photo by Thomas BergReproduced underCreative Commons Licence [CC BY-SA 2.0]


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P24 Model of temple: www.flickr.com/photos/emeryjl/508096015/Photo James EmeryReproduced underCreative Commons Licence [CC BY 2.0]Crypt photo: RCT

Ch12 : Knights Templar

P25 Knight paintingfrom Rothley Court Manor House, LeicestershirePhoto Chris White www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-551800863Reproduced underCreative Commons Licence (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 and bypermission of Rothley Court.Knight grave effigiesPhoto Temple Church, London.

P 26 Angel holding St Clair Shield RCT/Antonia Reeve

Ch13 The Holy Grail Part 1

P27 Last supperwww.freefoto.com/preview/05-09-3/Last-Supper

Photo by Ian Britton Freefoto.comReproduced with permission of Freefoto.comCrucifixion: photo Loci Lenarwww.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-4054174399Reproduced underCreative Commons licence [CC BY-NC-ND 3.0]

P28 Knight & angels www.flickr.com/.../americanartmuseum/3533980706/Photo from Smithsonian American Art MuseumReproduced underCreative Commons Licence [ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]Apprentice pillar RCT

Ch14 : Holy Grail Part 2

P29 The Last Supperby Leonardo Da VinciThis is a faithful reproduction of the original work of art, which is considered to be inthe public domain. { Creative Commons - PD-Art}Window in Church of St Nicholas, Isliphttp://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/3744672225/Reproduced underCreative Commons Licence [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

P30 Victorian Statue in chapel RCT

Ch15 The Earths Energy

P 31 Roslin from airwww.flickr.com/photos/sharpy70/4997893551/Reproduced underCreative Commons Licence [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]

Mary Statue - Photo Frank Tellezwww.flickr.com/photos/sunfrog1/2179433014/Reproduced underCreative Commons Licence [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0]

P32 Photo of Power Meter Alessandro Lambardie at:www.flickr.com/photos/5volt/1025745161/Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence[ CC BY-NC-SA 2.0]General Interior of ChapelRCT

CH 16 : A Treasure in Itself

P33 Interior from South Door RCT/ Neil Hamilton

rosslyn chapel level 3 materials web nov11

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