Scotland: In the Footsteps of the Knights Templar
Scotland: In the Footsteps of the Knights Templar
Welcome David Cairns to The BookTrail today! He’s taking us to the site of the Knights Templar for a very interesting reason:
The Case of the Beth-el Stone David Cairns
Book map of The Case of the Beth-el Stone
I am now writing the third book in my series, the Cases of Findo Gask and Erroll Rait, which are set in the 19th century with action in Australia, England and Scotland. One of the elements in the third book of this series involves the Knights Templar in Scotland – and it is a fascinating backdrop with mysteries and other-worldly tales intertwined with known facts about this Christian military order that came to amass great wealth – the reason for their ultimate downfall.
David Cairns
Book map of The Case of the Beth-el Stone
The place most will associate with the Templars is Rosslyn Chapel, not far from Edinburgh, thanks to Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code. This enigmatic place is, indeed, well worth a visit.
The Apprentice Pillar at Rosslyn Chapel (c) David Cairns
Book map of The Case of the Beth-el Stone
However, there is a Templar site – some 5 miles distant – that deserves to be better known. This is a now ruined church in a small village by the name of Temple, originally called Ballantrodoch.
Temple Old parish Church, Midlothian (c) Kevin Rae
Book map of The Case of the Beth-el Stone
Following a meeting with King David I in 1128, the Templars were granted land near Edinburgh where they established their base, the Preceptory at Ballantrodoch – the remains of which are today the abandoned parish kirk.
After William Wallace’s defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in 1297, Edward I’s archers stayed at Ballantrodoch but this did nothing to save them from the perfidy of the English king who banished them when they were viciously suppressed in 1307 in France.
The Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre
Book map of The Case of the Beth-el Stone
Scotland’s hero king, Robert the Bruce, however did not abandon them and there has been much debate about the role that the Knights may have played in the momentous Battle of Bannockburn near Stirling 7 years later when Edward II’s army was routed by Bruce’s outnumbered army (a story retold at the Bannockburn visitor centre).
Legends in France say that someone took the fabled Templar treasure out of Paris to Scotland. Ballantrodoch or Rosslyn chapel candidates for the eventual destination. The Ballantrodoch ruins still stand and local legend recites, “Twixt the oak and the elm tree/You will find buried the millions free.”
Book map of The Case of the Beth-el Stone
In addition to Ballantradoch, the Templars set up a new Preceptory at Maryculter on the banks of the River Dee in Aberdeenshire.
It is said that a Templar knight from here, Sir Godfrey Wedderburn was injured on crusade but was saved by a Saracen lady. While nursing him back to health, she gave him a ring. This ring had one small bright stone, which she declared would protect him from all the dangers of war and disease. However, it could only be worn by those of spotless purity and honour.
Cast out for helping the enemy, Sir Godfrey brought the maid back with him to Scotland. The Preceptor of Maryculter refused to believe that this was purely a platonic relationship. He was so outraged that he was condemned to die by his own hand.
Book map of The Case of the Beth-el Stone
Still protesting his innocence, he plunged a dagger through his own heart. As he fell to the ground, a scream echoed across the hills as the Saracen maid rushed to him. She retrieved the charm and cried out, “I call on God and heaven to witness that this poor knight and I were as pure as the stars that look down on us here and now”. Then, she dared the Master to wear the charm to see whether she spoke the truth.
Unrepentant, the Master defiantly threw it around his neck whereupon a brilliant light lit the midnight sky and a blue thunderbolt flashed to earth. Striking him dead. The maid, wild with grief seized the dagger from the bloodied breast of Sir Godfrey and plunged it into her own heart. Terrified by the events, the Templars, fearing the charm, tossed it away.
Knights Templar (c) Wikipedia
Book map of The Case of the Beth-el Stone
At midnight on the anniversary of their deaths, legend says that the charm shines with a pale blue light. Anyone with a pure and noble heart who finds it may wear it and live free of all disease.
You can visit the remains of the chapel today and see the “Thunder Hole”. This is a deep depression in the ground where the avenging thunderbolt struck. However, one further warning. Every year on the anniversary of that awful scene, legend has it that a ghostly Sir Godfrey and his lady will appear haunting the Maryculter area.
Book map of The Case of the Beth-el Stone
The Knights Templar left an enduring imprint on Scotland, shaping its history, architecture and inspiring legends that persist to this day. They have a part to play in my latest historical fiction mystery adventure. The Case of the Beth-El Stone is out later this year.
David Cairns, the Baron of Finavon (an ancient Scottish title) is the author of The Helots’ Tale series. -Downfall and Redemption, The Case of the Emigrant Niece (a finalist in the Readers’ Choice Book Award 2023) and The Case of the Wandering Corpse.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: The Case of the Beth-el Stone
Twitter: @theDavidCairns
