The history of Scottish Templarism is long and complex. Today it
is more difficult than ever for the beginer to decypher between
any fact and fiction that is reported in the Media and in the evergrowing
list of Templar Books that are available in the bookshops and on
the Internet. Our web site has been set up as a guide to one Branch
of Scottish Templarism, The Scottish Knights Templars.
The history provided below is by no means complete, it is a guide
through time, it is our Quest as Templars to find out the Truth,
"as Truth will Conquer All!". In the midst of all the
confusion that has emanated from various books, the Prince Henry
St Clair Preceptory has set one of its task on finding whatever
evidence is traceable, of what did happen to the Order of the Temple
in Scotland.
1118. The Knights Templar were founded by Hugh de Payen,
history tells us that it was "to protect pilgrim routes in
the Holy Land" this was during the reign of Baldwin II, who
granted them living quarters in Jerusalem on the site of the Temple
of Solomon; hence the name Knights of the Temple, or Knight Templars.
The secular overlord was the Count of Champagne with spiritual leadership
given by St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
1128. The Council of Troyes was under the guidance of St.
Bernard of Clairvaux
1128-9. Hugues de Payen accompanied by other Knights, visits
Scotland.
1147. Use of the red cross of the Order was initiated.
1154. The act of Louis VII the King of France in 1154 AD
recognising the Authority of the Grand Master of the Order.
1274. Robert the Bruce is born.
1291. With the fall of Acre, the Templars found themselves
distanced from the Holy Land and having a fast failing raison de
etre.
1306. On March 27th, Robert the Bruce is crowned King at
Scone.
1307. The arrest of Jaques De Molay, the Grand Master of
the Temple, by Philip of France.
1312. Following false charges the Order is dissolved by Papal
decree and subjected to a cruel persecution. However, no Order of
Suppression was ever issued in Scotland and Charges against the
Order were found "Not Proven". Under its excuminicated
King, Robert the Bruce, the Nation provides a "safe-haven"
for fugitive Templars.
1314. Legend tells us that fugitive Templars fought at Bruce's
side at Bannockburn on the 24th June, Midsummer's day, the Feast
day of John the Baptist. The Legend also informs us that Bruce creates
the Order of Heredom as a mark of appreciation to the Templar Knights.
1315. Bruce protects the Order and the Temple lands, in Scotland.
1320. The Signing of the Declaration of Arbroath by Scottish
Nobles.
1329. King Robert the Bruce dies and is buried in Dunfermline
Abbey in the Kingdom of Fife. His tomb becomes a place of special
pilgrimage.
1330. A group of Scottish Knights try to take Bruce's Heart
to the Holy Land, the group encounters a Moorish Army and after
a fierce battle only a few Knights survive to return to Scotland.
The Bruce's Heart is returned back to Scotland as a mark of respect
by the Moors and it is claimed that the Heart is buried in a casket
in Melrose Abbey.
1398. It is alleged that Prince Henry St Clair voyaged from
Orkney to Nova Scotia using acquired Templar knowledge in navigation
and ship-building.
1431. Earl William Sinclair becomes a Knight of the Golden
Fleece and a Knight of the Cockle at Santiago de Compostello. (see
Robert Brydon's "The Guilds, The Masons and The Rosy Cross"
available from Rosslyn Chapel).
1445. Earl William Sinclair lays plans to build Rosslyn Chapel
to contain some of the Old Mystery Traditions plus maybe secteating
other items into the vault, whilst creating a book in stone to enshrine
these for posterity.
The Templar Order is never proscribed in Scotland, it's lands are
administered by the Hospital, but ownership is never transferred
to the Hospitallers.
1689. It is reported that John Grahame of Claverhouse (Bonnie
Dundee) died at Killiecrankie wearing the Grand Cross of the Order.
1705. General Statutes and Election Charter of the Order
at the Covenant General in Versailles.
1738. Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsay gives in Paris, an
Oration where he claims that the true origin of Freemasonry came
from Knights during the Crusades.
1742. Karl Gotthelf, Baron Von Hund, is received into the
Order of the Temple in Paris.
1745. It is reported that Prince Charles Edward Stewart,
gives a soiree for the Chivalry of the Order of the Temple in Holyrood
Palace, Edinburgh.
1790. Alexander Deuchar becomes the Heritor to the Scottish
Templar legacy.
1804. The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple is restored
by Dr. Bernard-Raymond Fabre-Palaprat.
1807. It is recorded that Alexander Deuchar holds a meeting
of Knights Templar in Edinburgh.
Alexander Deuchar becomes Master of Scottish KnightTemplars, an
office he was to hold until 1835.
1853. The Imperial Decree of His Imperial Majesty Napoleon
III, Emperor of France, dated the 13th of June stating that the
Order of the Temple is a Sovereign Power and Granting the right
to carry Decorations and Badges on French Territory.
1894. Reinstatement of the Regency, and the Establishment
of an International Secretariat of the Templars, with Magisterial
Powers.
1942. Count Antonio Campello Pinto de Sousa Fontes,GC, becomes
Regent by Magisterial Degree. The Archives of the Order are transferred
to Portugal for safety during the War.
1978. The Scottish Grand Priory becomes a Officiated Associate
of S.M.O.T.J. but retains it's separate historical and ecumenical
character.
1996. On St. Andrew's Day, November the 30th, the British
Government sends from London,to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, 'A'
Stone of Destiny ( Stone of Scone) where it now sits amongst the
Honours of Scotland. There is still much debate about this stone,
and its authenticity by the doubting Scots, is it the real one,
or is it a fake, certain people have the answer.
The motto of the Order is:
Non nobis Domine, non nobis sed Nomini Tuo da Gloriam
Not for us O Lord, not for us but in Your Name is the Glory
a) The organisation is an Order of Knight Templars
b) The Order is an ecumenical Christian organisation
c) The Order is democratic
d) The Order is apolitical
The aim of the Order is to serve God and Scotland, and to foster
international brotherhood. In pursuit of the aim to serve God and
Scotland, members of this Templar Order engage in activities which:
a) Help preserve and be the guardians of Scotland's traditions and
heritage
b) Support charitable interests.
Full Membership of the Order is normally open to professing Christians
world wide.
In keeping with the ecumenical nature of the Order a broad definition
of the term 'professing Christian' is applied and membership may
be open to all men and women who support Chivalric 'Christian' Ideals.
People of high ideals, who hold other beliefs may also be admitted
to membership. Members may be absolved from any ritual practices
of the Order which may be contrary to the practices of their religious
beliefs.
The Order is opposed to sexism and welcomes female members without
restriction on opportunity.
The Order welcomes members from all ethnic backgrounds without restriction
on opportunity.
Preceptors have the authority to admit Squires.
A majority vote of the Grand Council is required to empower the
Grand Prior to admit a member of Chivalry to the grade of Chevalier
or above according to the admission procedures as described in our
Bye-laws.
The Grand Council may by majority vote at a meeting of the Grand
Council expel any member from the Chivalry or re-instate any member
to membership of the Chivalry.
There is an associate membership where individuals can join to use
our facilities and join in our assemblies without becoming a Knight
Templar.
There is an honorary grade of membership with admission at the discretion
of the Grand Prior.
Our Order is looking at an Affiliate Membership for UK and non UK
residents.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Does
our Order need new members ?
Yes, the Members Of Chivalry are the life blood of the Order, membership
is quite literally an opportunity to serve.
Is membership available on application ?
No, there are both informal and formal vetting procedures.
How are new members introduced ?
Most new members are invited to become a member, new members are
usually
recommended by a personal friend or contact but anyone who is seriously
interested
in learning more about the Order is welcome to seek contact with
our Preceptor who would typically respond with an opportunity to
attend a Templar social event, or lecture by way of initial introduction.
For all formal communications and Membership enquires to our Order,
please contact:
Chev. Ian Sinclair KGCTpl.
Scottish Knight Templars
Clan Sinclair House
Noss Head Lighthouse
Wick
Caithness
KW1 4QT
Scotland
Tel:
01955 606700
