Rosslyn: Guardian of the Secrets of the Holy Grail

by Tim Wallace-Murphy, Marilyn Hopkins

This is the compelling story of the mysterious chapel at Rosslyn in Scotland. Rosslyn is the first book to explore the existence of a configuration of seven pre-Christian sites which formed the route of a pilgrimage of initiation used by Druids, Knights Templar and Christian mystics in their search for true knowledge and enlightenment. Beginning at Compostela in Spain, the voyage of discovery proceeds to Toulouse, Orleans, Chartres, Paris and Amiens in France, taking us deep into a mysterious world where hidden streams of spirituality flow beneath the surface of European history, profoundly influencing the evolution of Western thought. The journey ends at Rosslyn, where the history of its founders, the Sinclair family, sheds light on the revelations of Rosslyn and their significance for us today.

Today, stone carvings on the walls, and ceilings reveal traces of Pagan, Christian, Masonic, Templar and Islamic presence. According to legend, the Knights Templar brought priceless treasures to be hidden in the chapel. Rosslyn takes the reader on a voyage of discovery into the world of the Druids, Templars and Christian mystics which ends in revelations already hinted at in previous titles in the Grail genre.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Religion

1000 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

The Irish born internationally known author and lecturer, Tim Wallace-Murphy, is the author of thirteen published books, has appeared in some eight or nine TV documentaries and has given lectures from Seattle and Long Beach on the West Coast of the USA, in Canada, Great Britain, France, Italy and in Prague.

Eleven of his works cover historical aspects of spirituality, including the Knights Templar, the Cathars, Rosslyn Chapel and the Western Esoteric Tradition as well as the Grail genre. The other two, including the most recent are more mainstream, namely 'What Islam did for Us' a study of how Islamic scholarship laid the foundations of so many fundamental and valued aspects of European culture and his latest work 'The Genesis of a Tragedy - A Brief History of the Palestinian People.' Tim was provoked to write this work as the Palestinian side of this conflict is rarely heard in either Western Europe or the United States and if this ongoing running sore in East West relations is ever to be solved, the pain on both sides needs to be understood.

He also acts as a tour guide in some of the most beautiful and inspiring sacred sites in Europe.

Reviews

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually was very disappointed with this book. I thought it would be about the Chapel, instead it's about the authors views on the evolution of Christianity and the Knights Templar

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very tough book to read. I saw Wallace-Murphy in a documentary and liked what he had to say. Thought a book by him would be interesting. I enjoy this topic of the grail and the Knights Templar but this has very little to do with that. It was mostly architecture, sacred geometry, astrology, and religion. They are all entertaining topics, but I was looking for more excitement about the Grail and the Knights Templar. It is very well written and thoroughly researched. The only reason it was two stars instead of something higher was because it just wasn't what I was in the mood to read. It was a quick read though. A bit of a grind to get through, but two days with a book is alright with me.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has been sitting on my shelf for years and its only because of an intended visit to Rosslyn that I finally picked it up. I was hoping, I admit, a little bit more about Rosslyn than the history of the Knights Templar and esoteric forms of Christianity.
It was interesting at best and a bit longwinded at worst, a little too much unfounded conjecture and personal theory, but it was written with enthusiasm for the subject and a genuine wish to try and enlighten.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thorough research into the Rosicrucian lineage and the Templar history was married with the actual pilgrimage of the authors through the sacred path that aligns with the Milky Way and Several ancient temples. Good pictures, interesting genealogy and historical linkages...it has a good beat and I can dance to it....I give it a 4!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of historical interesting information but then starts to revert to postulation & new age speculation without a lot of facts to back it up. The book rushes to a vague conclusion which ends in mid air.
Some people are good speakers & some are good writers (& some are both or neither). Tim Wallace-Murphy is the former & doesn't come across as well in writing. There's a lot of "alternative history" authors out there who do this type of thing a lot better.
Not a terrible book if you're very much interested in Rosslyn Chapel.

[Abstract Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading

Whether you’re a spiritual seeker or not, this book is so well researched and presented, I’d recommend this to anyone who has a tendency to be curious.
To a seeker - spiritual or other - this is a fundamentally essential read.
Incredible material. Mind blown. Will be coming back again and again to make notes and dive deeper.

[John Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting!

[Sarah Stringer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting tale but light on details about the Knights Templar.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whenever one picks up a book, one is guided much by the title and jacket cover. Your curiosity will be satisfied and whetted for more after reading, Rosslyn Chapel: Guardian of the Secrets of the Holy Grail. Long-time collaborators, Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins present an examination of the significance of Rosslyn Chapel, a small shrine in rural Scotland and the center of esoteric spirituality for centuries. In order to go in depth about the spiritual appeal and historical mystery of the site and its builders, the authors researched the founding family, the St. Clairs and the Templar Knight refugees. In doing that, they shed light on influence of Druidic faith, early Christian Church tenets, mysticism and conspiracy theories about what is hidden at Rosslyn Chapel. Rosslyn Chapel, itself is built on a site scared to Stone Age peoples and later the centre of initiation into the Druidic secret society of pre-Renaissance Western Europe. The book takes considerable time to shed light on the seven pre-Christian sites which formed the route of Druidic pilgrimage. The authots tie up the book by focusing on the St. Clairs, their beliefs, the significance Of Rosslyn Chapel, including whether it is the resting place of the lost treasures of the Templar Knights.

This is a book for those who are interested in secret societies and forgotten history. It has its stumbling points when the authors go off on a mystical treasure hunt for mystical knowledge but it is still a fine read.

[Stuart · Rating 2 out of 5]

The date is to be 28 July 2019.Not my usual type of book but obvious family connection (Rosslyn Chapel and St Clair family).The authors set out to prove that Rosslyn Chapel near Edinburgh is the climax of an ancient pilgrimage including Chartres and Notre-dame in Paris.They claim ties with early man,the Egyptians, the Templars and the Masons were hidden from the oppressive Catholic Church of the Middle Ages. The most interesting chapter to me explored alternative beginnings for the early Christian church including other members of Jesus' family. (I will have to explore this further!) I felt they had failed to establish how and why the St Clair family had built the Chapel - all theory with little evidence though it finishes with the promise that the grounds are about to be scanned by new technology which might unveil the secrets of Rosslyn Chapel.
And the date 28 July 2019 ? This is to be the day of the Apocalypse according to the alignment of the seven churches with the planets with which each is associated.This Apocalypse will not be the 'end of the world' but a decisive change for the better. So not long to wait now.

[Yaaresse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this is a box of stuff while cleaning out my MILs garage, so I'm probably going to be generous here given I didn't have to buy the book.

I have a passing interest in the Knights Templar and cathedrals, so those parts were interesting. Still, there is a lot of conjecture and some of the bizarre conspiracy-theory stuff that pretty much killed it for me. It's the kind of thing that people who thought The DaVinci Code was real and "great reading" would like. (In other words, not my thing.)

[Seyed · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started with a solid investigative/documented tone and ended in a persisting Christian propaganda kinda way. Still, pretty informative with many cross-references.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the Davinci Code I was curious about Rosslyn chapel. This was an interesting commentary on the history of religion even if it was biased.

[Wes · Rating 3 out of 5]

found this at Walmart for less than 4.00 on the bargain table. it is like a location biography so far

[Ccmaria62 crow · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting only if you are interested in this history: knights templar, freemasonry, solomon's temple

[Nilo Di Stefano · Rating 4 out of 5]

a-cultura personale
un libro comprato per cultura personale. Per capirne di più su Santo Graal , la Cappella di Rosslyn , le Cattedrali francesi ecc ecc.
Mi ha fatto male il Codice da Vinci ;)

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun - led me to actually go there! AMAZING TRIP!!!

[Mike Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got about 2/3 through this miasma of "mystical" BS, and couldn't stomach one more page. I hate giving up on a book, but this one was too much for me.

[Christopher Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good primer for all things spiritual, focussing on pilgrimages as initiations. Worthwhile for the insights gained by the authors.

[Timothy]

a really interesting idea