Perhaps in the old days, people knew how to read all the stones. They unveiled the mystery around Rosslyn Chapel. Today, we stand before Rosslyn Chapel. It is a place of beauty and intrigue. Its stones whisper stories of the past. Rosslyn Chapel is more than just a building. It is a treasure trove of art, history, and legend.
Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 by William Sinclair. He was the 1st Earl of Caithness. The chapel’s original name was the Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew. Its purpose was to celebrate the Divine Office for the deceased. This especially included members of the Sinclair family. The Sinclairs were a Scottish clan of Norman origin. They came from St Clare in Normandy. In 1068, they acquired the Barony of Roslin. Today, the chapel is owned by Peter St Clair-Erskine. He is the 7th Earl of Rosslyn.
In 1592, Rosslyn Chapel was ruined and abandoned. By the 19th century, the stained glass was shattered. Rain poured in causing humidity. Green moss covered the church. This vision inspired Romantic painters and poets. Wordsworth even sought shelter here during a storm. He immortalized the chapel in a poem. Queen Victoria restored Rosslyn Chapel. She considered it a national treasure. Now, we can admire its old splendour.
Rosslyn Chapel is special because of its carved stones. In the Middle Ages, most people were illiterate. Churches were designed as “Bibles in stone.” They were filled with images of saints and moral lessons. Rosslyn Chapel is a perfect example. Mythological animals cover its facade. The interior is breathtaking.
Inside Rosslyn Chapel, we find a Fallen Angel and a dragon. There is even a Danse Macabre scene. It reminds us that death comes to all. One of the most captivating sights is the Apprentice Pillar. Legend says a young mason carved it after a dream. His master became enraged with jealousy. In a fit, he killed the young mason with his mallet. At the bottom of the pillar are Ouroboros. These serpents eat their own tails. They represent eternal return.
Amid Christian symbols, we find an enigmatic figure. It is the Green Man. This face surrounded by leaves appears over 120 times. The Green Man is a pagan symbol of fertility and rebirth. Some claim there are UFO sightings near the chapel in Roslin Glen.
Another amazing story involves maize corn carvings. Maize is originally from the New World. Columbus reached America after the chapel was built. Some scholars believe the Sinclairs traveled to America before Columbus. The chiefs of the Sinclair family were Earls of Orkney. The Earls of Orkney were subjects of the Kings of Norway.
Rosslyn Chapel gained fame from Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code.” The book suggests the Holy Grail was hidden here. The book became a bestseller. It increased tourism to the church. People came in search of this mythical object.
Rosslyn Chapel remains a place of wonder. Its secrets are hidden in the carved figures. The guardian cat, William, watches over all. The chapel’s stones whisper stories of faith. They echo tales of ambition and art. They hint at mysteries yet unsolved. Rosslyn Chapel invites us to ponder the past. It encourages us to seek deeper meaning. It reminds us that even stones can speak volumes.