Rosslyn Chapel was once known as the Collegiate Chapel of St. Matthew. It was intended to be one of the many collegiate chapels that were to be built during the reign of Kings James the 1st, and James the 4th. (1406-1513) Construction of the chapel began in 1456, the chapel was originally intended to be much larger, but these plans never came to fruition. Since its charter in 1446 and construction in 1456 the chapel has remained within the custody of the St. Clair family, being founded by Sir William St. Clair, and the current owner of Rosslyn Chapel being Peter St Clair-Erskine, 7th Earl of Rosslyn. Legend has it that the St. Clair family is descended from Norman knights who were linked to the Knights Templar.
I was immensely looking forward to visiting Rosslyn Chapel during my tripto Scotland. I had watched the film the “Da Vinci Code” a month or so before my trip, and I was fascinated with the history and lore of the Knights Templar. Another aspect to my piqued interest and fascination was yet again due to my own family history, the Ramsay family is known to have historic ties with the Freemasons, who have a loose historic connection to the Knights Templar, who have several connections to Rosslyn Chapel. Essentially I was frothing at the mouth during the visit. Unfortunately, I was not permitted to take photos within the Chapel at the time, but I did get a few exterior shots.
Now there are many legends associated within the chapel, one of the longest standing legends being that of the “Apprentice Pillar”. This legend tells of a master mason and his apprentice. During the construction of the chapel there were two pillars to be built off of an older design. The master did not believe his apprentice would be able to complete the pillar without having seen the original, but to the master’s surprise and rage the apprentice had completed the pillar, while the master had been traveling to see the original himself. It continues in that the master flew into a jealous rage and murdered his apprentice. Now there reside two pillars within the walls of Rosslyn Chapel. One intricate yet beautiful pillar with the apprentice’s face carved upon the top, and another plain and simple pillar with the master’s face carved in such a position that the master will always gaze upon his apprentice’s accomplishment as punishment for his crime.
One of the more readily known legends concerning Rosslyn Chapel is that of the Holy Grail. This legend originates with the St. Clair’s connection to the Knights Templar. These links originate as far back as to the days of the Temple of Solomon, and the Knights Templar are well known for having a deep rooted connection to the Temple of Solomon during the crusades. This connection comes from the fact that the Templars were originally stationed near the ruins of the Temple of Solomon, hence their name, Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, or Knights Templar for short. The St. Clair family is connected to the Templars in that Hugh De Payens the founder of the Templar order fought alongside Sir Henri St. Clair, the 1st Baron of Rosslyn during the crusades. These connections are furthered by the belief that Scotland as one of the only places aside from Portugal that did not follow France in outlawing the Templar Order in 1307 would have been a safe haven for the Templar treasure fleet. And of course legend suggests that the treasure fleet held an item of invaluable importance, the Holy Grail, and because of the St. Clair family’s history with the Templars it is believed that the Grail was sent to Rosslyn Chapel.
These legends were renewed with new life and vigor with the Dan Brown novel the “Da Vinci Code” unfortunately many of the legends are still just that, legends. However, many legends shrouded in the mists of time eventually reveal themselves to be true, but only time will tell.
Sites Referenced:
http://www.rosslynchapel.com
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/scotland/rosslyn-chapel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosslyn_Chapel