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Rosslyn Chapel is touted as being one of the most mysterious places in Scotland, especially with the current gloat of books purporting to show how hidden secrets lurk within every crack of stone at this venerated place. Anybody who has ever visited the chapel may feel that it deserves its current status, and I must confess the atmosphere even on a busy day is something to be experienced. The exquisite carvings are some of the best in the whole of Europe, and portray scenes not found in any other 15th century chapel. It has become a kind of Mecca to those interested in the mysteries of life, and contains many carvings relevant to biblical, masonic, pagan and Knights Templar themes.
History
The area around Rosslyn has played an important role in the history of Scotland, and the castle was a key holding during the wars of independence. A battle was fought here in 1303, when small force of Scottish Knights defeated a larger English army three times in 24 hours.
From what can be ascertained from the scattered surviving historical references, the chapel was built for the Prince of Orkney, Sir William St Clair in 1446. The chapel being part of a large-scale project involving a cruciform structure that was never completed. The Prince of Orkney died in 1484 and was buried within the chapel.
According to Father Richard Augustine Hay, who published a study on the genealogy of the St Clairs of Rosslyn. The workers and the materials were brought from far and wide. The village of Roslin being created for the numerous stonemasons and other labourers. It was in this period that the Apprentice is supposed to have been murdered for far surpassing his master's skills. But more on that later.
The chapel did not remain in use for long, great changes in secular activity during the reformation led to the provost resigning under threat of violence, and by 1592 the altars of the chapel had been smashed in accordance with the reformation and puritanical thought. From this time onwards until the 18th century the building began to fall into ruination.
Cromwell's troops used the chapel as a stable while they were besieging nearby Roslin Castle in 1650. It is surprising they did not destroy the chapel further, as many ancient places of sanctity were destroyed by Cromwell's troops. Eight years later the chapel was attacked by an Edinburgh mob and some of the villagers from Roslin. The chapel was still seen as blatantly Catholic, and a target against idolatry, some of the interior carvings of the chapel were damaged during the rampage.
James St Clair halted some of the environmental damage to the chapel when in 1736 he re-flagged the floor and fixed the roof. The most extensive repairs were started in 1861 when architect David Bryce was commissioned to restore the chapel by James Alexander the 3rd Earl of Roslin. It was rededicated on April 22nd 1862.
From then on the chapel has been in use and restoration has continued, although bad restoration techniques used in the 1950's have led to the covering steel structure to allow the stonework to dry out.
Legends and mystical connections
The chapel has played the part in many theories of mystical relevance, the chapel undoubtedly has a strong atmosphere. On my visit I certainly felt uplifted as I walked through the door and into the chapel, and the romantic in me half imagined an up welling of energy from under the stone floor creating light headedness.
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But then this is purely personal romanticism with no scientific basis, although later research suggested other people have had the same feeling. This is probably something to do with the dim light and the multitude of strange carvings.
There has certainly been a lot of conjecture about the chapel's mystical significance, the place undoubtedly has many enigmas, and what follows are a few legends and theories.
The Murdered Apprentice
The chapel has been described as a 'Tapestry in Stone' it has some of the most impressive stone carving in Scotland if not Europe, especially the Apprentice Pillar. This pillar is said to have been carved by an apprentice to the master mason. The master went to Rome to seek inspiration for carving. When he returned, he found that his ambitious apprentice had completed the pillar, and made an exquisite masterpiece out of it. Enraged he is said to have struck him dead on the spot in a fit of jealousy. Whether this is pure myth or based on a real event is not known. According to some sources the Bishop of St Andrew is supposed to have obtained the popes permission to delay the consecration of the building because a violent deed had taken place. The story may have its basis in the legend of Hiram Abif and other aspects of Masonic thought and ritual.
One of the carvings within the chapel shows a young man with a cut in his forehead, it is said to depict the murdered apprentice. There is a chance that the carving has been damaged in the past however, either accidentally or intentionally, perhaps when the altars were smashed or when the chapel was attacked by an Edinburgh mob.
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Rosslyn Chapel