Prince
Henry St Clair Preceptory and Commandary
Scottish Knight Templars
Events Diary
On Saturday
29th September 2007, Grand Prior Ian and Joan of Noss Head
flew out to Phoenix Arizona to meet up with Grand Prior Mark
and Grand Prioress Andrea Pinkham of the International
Organization of Gnostic Templars. along with their Knights.
After a sightseeing trip around Sedona, Grand Prior Ian of
Noss was escorted to the Library lecture theatre where he
gave a lecture on Rosslyn Chapel, the Sinclair and Templar
connection. The theatre was packed with a mixed audience of
all ages and all seats taken, extra seats were brought in
to accommodate the audience, Ian thanked all the people for
taking the time to come along and support the organizers of
the evening. Following the 90 min lecture the GP conducted
a questions and answer session and it soon became apparent
that the majority of the people attending were very aware
of Rosslyn Chapel and it's environs unfortunately the library
had a set closing time which left a number of people with
their questions unanswered but GP Ian promised he would return
in the not to distant future to present a slide show and lecture
on the up to date work on Castle Sinclair-Girnigoe.
On Friday the
5th October the I,O,G,T, members met at the Preceptory for
a special series of talks by individual members of the order.
Several very interesting presentations were delivered and
received by an appreciative audience. On Saturday 6th at 10am
GP Ian gave a lecture on the Sinclair-Girnigoe connection
with Rosslyn Castle. In the late afternoon at 5-30pm Squire
Alan Gutierrez received the Accolade of Knighthood from Grand
Priors Mark, Ian and Grand Prioress Andrea. it was a very
moving ceremony delivered with professionalism. Sir Alan gave
thanks to all who assisted in his ceremony and looked forward
to setting up the Gnostic web library.
Sunday 7th
saw GP Ian busy with individual tutorials for nine members
of the order which was followed by a group visit to one of
the plateau's up in the mountains were the GP's had discussions
on current subjects that were of particular importance to
our joint orders, it was interesting to note that as we talked
we could see aeroplanes flying about below us, it was at that
point we realised just how high we were on that plateau. Following
our discussions the members went off for a well deserved evening
meal. Tuesday 9th saw GP Ian and Joan fly off back to Scotland
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
All visitors. On Saturday evening 24th March 2007 the Preceptory
met to hear a lecture by freemason W.B. Tony St Clair-Turner
PAGDC on the Knight Templar- Masonic connection with Rosslyn
Chapel. In his lecture Tony made reference to many identifiable
clues in the carvings within and without the Chapel particularly
the carving first identified by Lomas and Knight on the outside
of the South wall which clearly showed a candidate entering
the order he went on to say that any researcher who could
not see the signs should cease advising others because they
do not have the qualities required to aid in the process of
unlocking the Rosslyn puzzle. Tony continued with his Lecture
by giving us a slide show of the inside and outside of the
Chapel and Castle. All Knights and Squires thanked Tony for
his excellent presentation and requested him to return and
present another one of his lectures.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On Friday
8th October the Prince Henry St Clair Preceptory and Commandary
welcomed all the visiting Templars and their guests, Knights
and Squires were introduced and entertained by Chevalier Ian
Sinclair Grand Prior of The Scottish Knight Templars.
A rehearsal
for the following day’s ceremony took place and all matters
concerning the Conclave were discussed and agreed by all parties
before departing for their evening meal in Wick.
Saturday 9th
October opened with a very wet and windy start, but soon brightened
up. Following breakfast the Preceptory and Commandary was
made ready for the day’s events and the Templar flag was raised.
At 12-30pm the procession made its way from the Clan Sinclair
Study Centre to the Preceptory, when all guests were accommodated
the Grand Prior officially welcomed all present and stated
that he hoped that they would have an interesting and enjoyable
day.
The Sword
was presented and the opening ceremony was performed by the
Grand Commander in true Templar Tradition, with all due reverence
and dignity, during which, there were readings from the Scriptures
and Salutations at the Knights Altar.
Next item
on the Order of Ceremony was the promotion of a Knight to
Knight Officer; this bestowal was performed in person by the
Grand Prior who congratulated the Officer on the promotion
and on the dedication shown to the new independent Order.
Next in the
Order of Ceremony was the introduction of a new Squire who
came highly recommended by his Knight Proposer and Knight
Instructor. Following the ceremony the new Squire was welcomed
into the Order by all the members.
The ceremony
for the Bestowal of the Knights Accolade on Squire Shawn Williamson
took place next. All the officers performed their duties with
great pride and satisfaction because they were aware that
it was Squire Shawn who carved the statue of Prince Henry
St Clair, which stands proudly outside the Clan Sinclair Study
Centre, at Noss Head, he also carved the Engrailed Cross plaques
which stand at the main gates of the drive.
After
receiving his Accolade, Chevalier Shawn Williamson KTpl. was
invited to take his rightful place joining the Knights
Circle.
The Preceptory
and Commandary Closing Ritual then took place in true Templar
Tradition, with all due reverence and dignity.
The Worthy
Grand Prior thanked everybody for their support then gave
a short speech explaining to all present what the objectives
of our new Order were, also he explained that the Masonic
& Templar Study group was operating successfully
despite some early doubts by a few researchers about a clash
of interests.
Our next meeting
will be at Rosslyn Chapel in mid December, all interested
parties should contact Ian at; 01955 606700
At 14-00hrs, Saturday
August 7th the Prince Henry St Clair Preceptory and Commandary
saw the installation of Chevalier Ian Sinclair KGCTpl. into
the rank of Worthy Grand Prior, of the Scottish Knight Templars,
Grand Priory of Scotland, The ceremony was performed with
dignity and according to the ancient customs, by the three
Principles, assisted by Worthy Knights.
The Grand Prior
thanked the three Principles and their assistants for the
solemnity of the installation and the time and effort they
had put in, both in working the ritual and the time Chevalier
Rev. Anderson had spent travelling up to Caithness.
He went
on to thank all the visitors for their support and
stated that with everybody's support the Order will go from
strength to strength and that the next Conclave meeting was
to be held on the 5th of September to which everyone
present was invited.
On Saturday 9th
October the Preceptory and Commandary will be receiving
two new Squires, bestow a promotion to Knight Officer, and
bestow the Accolade of Knighthood on Chev. Shawn Williamson,
one of our staunch, long time committed Squires, who through
his skill and dedication created and donated free of charge,
the statue of Prince Henry St Clair, which
stands proudly in the grounds of the Clan Sinclair Study
Centre, at Noss Head.
We must also congratulate Shawn
on his recent marriage to Chev. Morgan McInnis, a knowledgeable
and well respected Knight of our Order, and a member of
the Prince Henry St Clair Preceptory and Commandary,
congratulations to you both from all members of our Order.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
August 15th saw
the 65th birthday of Ian of Noss Head and many friends including
a party from Norway joined us and enjoyed the barbeque until
the late evening when the cake was cut.
The cake incidentally
was won by Ian in a raffle at the Castle of Mey games, when
Ian was judging the heavy events. Following the cake most
people staggered off home, stagger being the appropriate
word.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Saturday
10th July 2004 saw the first lecture in the new Preceptory at
Noss Head, the lecture which began at 7pm was entitled "Templars,
Past Present and Future" and was delivered by the Preceptory
Grand Commander Chevalier Ian Sinclair. KGCTpl. assisted by
Chevalier Royston William Jones KGCTpl who had travelled up
from Wales to be with us. 26 people attended the lecture which
was followed by a questions and answer session. The meeting
ended at 9.30pm when the visitors were invited over to the Study
Centre for refreshments, and to view the great collection of
information housed in the Clan Sinclair Library. All the visitors
thanked Chev Ian and Royston for the excellent evening and requested
that lectures should be held every month where possible, Chev
Ian will look into the possibility. Donations to the sum of
£40-00 were received for charity and 5 application forms for
admittance as a Squire into the Order were requested.
Sunday the 11th July 2004
saw the Preceptory being made ready for the new Aspirants who
were to arrive on the following day. The Building itself is the
old stable block, built in 1850, of which the central section
has been very tastefully converted into the new Prince Henry St
Clair Preceptory and Commandary.
Although the Preceptory was
once used by Militi Templi Scotia, the present Order of Scottish
Knight Templars have now disassociated themselves completely from
M.T.S. and have established a close harmony with other active,
Templar Organizations, both in this country and abroad.
The Raison D'etre of
the Order is to continue; To Serve God and Scotland,
and to work towards; acquiring, learning and sharing of Templar
knowledge and information.
Monday 12th July
2004 saw the day began at 8am with the arrival of 22 visitors
at the Clan Sinclair Study Centre, they were all made welcome
by the centre Archivist, Chev Ian Sinclair who gave them a short
talk on the history of the centre, the Sinclair's and the
nearby Sinclair-Girnigoe castle, the party were then taken for
a tour of the castle by Lord Berriedale, who explained to them
the work that was being undertaken by the Clan Sinclair Trust,
assisted by York University.
When the visitors
had left for the castle, preparations were made for the Preceptory
to receive its first ever visit from a Fisher King and Fisher
Queen, who were received with dignity and honour by the Grand
Commander.
A short ceremony
followed in which the blessings from the Preceptory and Commandary
of Prince Henry St Clair, were bestowed on the visitors.
Midday saw the
return of Lord Berriedale and the party from the castle visit,
every visitor personally thanked Berrie for a very safe and sound
return, and for sharing his knowledge and love of the castle with
them, and also his timing, for on his arrival back at the centre
they were just in time for a super buffet which had
been prepared and delivered by McKays Hotel.
At 2pm all Knights
assembled in the Preceptory for a dress rehearsal for the admission
of Squires into the Preceptory, the Templar flag is run up and
flies proud above the Preceptory.
At 3-30pm the
pipers arrived and began tuning up,
At 3-45pm all
guests, Fraters, Aspirants and Knights assemble in the centre
courtyard, pipers march into courtyard and take their place at
the head of the procession.
At 4pm precisely
the pipers strike up and the procession slow marches to the Preceptory
with the sound of, Flower of Scotland
ringing in their ears.
On arrival at
the Preceptory all are in line and the pipers strike up with
Highland Cathedral.
All guests are
ushered in by the 1st Aide de-Camp and remain upstanding,
as the Knights enter and assemble themselves around the Knight's
Altar, all remain silent as the sound of the pipes drift away
in the distance, a very moving experience.
The Preceptory
was opened in true Templar tradition with all due reverence and
dignity by the Grand Commander, who welcomed all visitors and
Aspirants, both from this country and from overseas, he apologised
for the lack of space and seating, but explained that this was
the most people that we have housed in our Preceptory and rather
than turn anyone away it was worth a bit of a squash.
The twelve Aspirant
Squires were addressed by the Grand Commander who explained the
procedures for the day, which were; that the Ceremony would be
split into two identical parts, the first part for six Squires,
followed by the second part for six Squires.
The Ceremony
having been completed and all new Squires having been Mantled
and appointed to the Shield and Banner of their Knight Instructor,
now retake their seats.
The Preceptory
is now closed in true Templar tradition, with all due reverence
and dignity, by the Grand Commander, who once again thanked all
for their attendance and support.
All visitors
are taken over to the Study Centre for refreshments whilst all
members of the Prince Henry St Clair Preceptory and Commandary
assemble for their first Grand Council Forum.
1st GRAND
COUNCIL FORUM
The names, abode and
Ranks of all present are recorded, a total of 21 members. The
business of the day was discussed and recorded by the Acting Scribe.
The following positions were voted for and filled;
PRECEPTOR
MARSHAL
SWORD BEARER
1st AIDE de-CAMP
2nd AIDE de-CAMP
CLERIC
SCRIBE
After much discussion
it was decided unanimously that we appoint and install our
own Grand Prior for the Scottish Knight Templars, the vote
was taken and was unanimous in support of Chev. Ian Sinclair KGCTpl.
to take the post of Grand Prior for the Scottish Knight Templars.
The installation
ceremony for the new GRAND PRIOR will take place in the very near
future after logistics had been worked out. Chev. Sinclair thanked
the members for the confidence they had shown in him and stated
that unlike some other Templar Orders, this Order would not sit
around waiting for somebody to switch on the light and something
to happen, it would be responsible for the re-emergence of
true Templar traditions, and ideals with common sense Liturgies
that are appropriate to the Order, he stated that he had no doubt
that we will encounter the sceptics and the envious because we
have done it in a different way, remember, he said be bold,
be vigilant, and have the belief that you can achieve
what you aim for if you have a belief in yourself, thank you all
for the start of a new era.
The members stood
and applauded Chev Sinclair
The 1st Grand
Council Forum was closed in true Templar tradition, with
all due reverence and dignity, by the Grand Commander,
Chev
John Norton KOTpl.
{Acting
Scribe}
