Royston Cave: A Knights Templar Ritual Cave? Royston England UK

Описание: Royston Cave was discovered by accident in 1742 by workmen erecting a bench in the butter market above. A millstone was found in the ground which, when lifted, uncovered a vertical, well-like shaft.


In the expectation of finding treasure, the shaft was enlarged and the cave was emptied, uncovering extensive carvings in the lower part of the chamber. No scientific archaeological investigation was made at the time but according to Rev. G. North, who visited the cave shortly after its discovery, the contents included a skull, some decayed bones, fragments of a small drinking vessel and an unmarked piece of brass.


Man-made and beehive shaped; Royston Cave is cut approx. 8 m into the chalk that lies beneath Royston’s ancient crossroad, Ermine Street and Icknield Way.


The cylindrical lower part of the cave is approx. 5 m in diameter. Around its base is a raised octagonal step. It is too low for sitting so was probably used for kneeling and prayer. Dug into the cave's eastern end is a shallow depression. The purpose of this depression is unclear, but some believe it was used for initiation ceremonies. Post holes within the wall indicate there may once have been a higher wooden platform that came to a height just below the entrance shaft.


Royston Cave is decorated with extensive low relief wall carvings, some of which may have been originally coloured. The carvings are mostly Christian in depiction and medieval in style. There are four prominent carvings of saints in the cave: St Christopher, patron saint of travellers; St Katherine, holding a representation of the spiked wheel associated with her martyrdom; St Laurence, holding a depiction of the gridiron on which he was martyred; and a military saint, possibly St George, holding an upturned sword. The sword points to a line of thirteen figures, assumed to be Jesus and his disciples.


There is a large panel which appears to relate to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Its uppermost carving shows the outstretched hand and arm of God releasing a dove. Immediately below the dove was the body of a shrouded figure of which only the head remains. This may represent the body of Jesus within the Holy Sepulchre prior to his resurrection.


There are two crucifixion scenes; a figure believed to be King Richard I (The Lionheart); and a carving with upraised arms, thought to be King David of the Psalms. The panel to the left of King David is most commonly believed to be a memorial to the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay. Elsewhere in the cave are non-Christian carvings, including the figures of a horse and an Earth Goddess, known as a Sheila-na-gig, believed to be Pagan symbols for fertility.


Many smaller figures and symbols remain unidentified. A figure holding a skull in its right hand and a candle in its left is thought to show a candidate for initiation and may be a clue as to what the cave was used for.

Theories

Royston Cave remains an enigma. No records of its age or purpose exist. Its origin has baffled historians for centuries.

Knights Templar
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The most popular theory is that Royston Cave was used by Knights Templar. With a stronghold in Baldock, approx. 8 miles from Royston. it’s possible Knights Templar used Royston Cave as a secret place of worship. Carvings similar to that in Royston Cave have been found at Templar sites across Europe.
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Freemason's Lodge
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King James I's involvement with Freemasonry has long been disputed but some argue that he helped establish it in England, after it originated in Scotland where he was also king. With James owning a large palace in Royston and visiting the town often to hunt, some theories suggest the King used Royston Cave to practise Freemasonry, away from the prying eyes of his court. If that's the case, Royston Cave is one of the earliest examples of a Freemason's Lodge in England.
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Wayside Hermitage
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Some suggest Royston Cave was a hermitage, the
subterranean home of a hermit. A hermit is someone. It was common in the Saxon period for hermitages to be established by the side of roads, so Royston Cave's proximity to the crossroad may not be a coincidence.

Lady Roisia

Lady Roisia, after which Royston is thought to be named, was the wife of William the Conquerer's steward. They owned extensive land in the area, including the site where Royston sits. Having been attributed to establishing the stone cross at Royston's crossroad, some suggest Lady Roisia used Royston Cave as her private chapel.
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Ley Lines

Royston Cave is visited by Earth energy and Pagan visitors. They believe the Michael and Mary Ley lines meet inside the cave. Ley lines are thought to connect sacred sites with electromagnetic energy. The Michael and Mary lines are also said to cross through Glastonbury and Avebury. It’s believed the Ley lines create a powerful source of healing energy and that Royston Cave has been a sacred place for thousands of years.