My excuse for not blogging lately mainly stems from those “happy” first trimester ills that one goes through during pregnancy. Nausea is very distracting. It is hard to read or even be on the computer when one’s stomach is constantly vying for attention. Unfortunately, I have been watching much more television, because it requires so much less of my brain power and energy than a good book. One night, I was watching the History Channel with DD1 as they were in search of the truth about King Arthur and the location of the Holy Grail. We watched intently as the camera panned the gorgeous Cornish shoreline and visited the ruins of Tintagel Castle (supposedly where the real Arthur held court). Then they posed the question, “Could the Grail be hidden somewhere here?” The show continued to hold our interest by taking us to Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland and telling us about the secrets it may or may not hold. At one point, the investigators were visiting a “secret” location of a cup purported to have miraculous healing powers when DD1 looked over at me and said, “Do they really believe this stuff, Mommy?” I almost laughed. “Well, some people really do, but how can anybody know for sure whether this is the actual cup of the Last Supper? Nobody can know but God. Anyway, sometimes it’s fun to think about the possibilities.”
During the tour of Rosslyn, the reporter informed us that many secret societies hold meetings in the chambers underneath the chapel. He also mentioned that these groups were aware of hiding places that were not known to even the guides at Rosslyn. This reminded me of a great series of books by Stephen Lawhead, a brilliant historical novelist. Lawhead did a trilogy called the Celtic Crusades which dealt with this very subject. In the books, a secret society who has been entrusted with those most sacred relics from Christendom, continues to protect these holy items through the 21st century. Lawhead zigzags through time from the origins of this “holy order” and how they obtained their prizes to the present, where their secret must be kept till the end of the age. Though the society itself is fictionalized, the story of the crusades and all its gore, vanity, and waste is not. Lawhead pulls no punches in his descriptions of violent, glory seeking crusaders who waste no time in killing men, women, and children whether Muslim, Jew, or Christian and a corrupt Papal system that produces war-mongering and licentious priests and monks promising everything from wealth to free trips to heaven to those who do the Pope’s bidding. Lawhead is quick to point out that there was a rift in Christendom between those who actually wanted to serve God by loving and serving others, and those who would serve themselves and the Pope at all costs. The books: The Iron Lance, The Black Rood, and the Mystic Rose are about those holy objects (the spear that pierced Christ’s side, the cross itself, and the chalice) and how they are won and losts throughout this travesty of the church; but the stories are also about a family who gives their lives to a true purpose that transcends relics and indulgences and makes themselves the enemies of Rome, enemies of the Templars, and in fact the enemies of anyone who would seek their own glory.
After my virtual tour of Rosslyn, Lawhead had me wondering, “Does he know something we don’t know or did he think the rumors surrounding Rosslyn would make one fantastic story?” If so, I would have to agree.
Wow, I didn’t know you were pregnant. How exciting! Congrats.
Thanks for the book recommendations. We will actually be studying this period of history this year. I’ll have to look into them.
Congrats, Heather!! Sorry you’re sick – it will go away and be worth every second!!!
Kristie, just so you know, the books are pretty bloody and very descriptive; and unfortunately very true to life.
[…] Martina (The Well-Educated Mind)38. Michael Krahn (The God Delusion)39. Heather (Celtic Crusades)40. privatjokr (His Majesty’s Dragon)41. privatjokr (The Count of Monte Cristo)42. tanabata […]
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