For a few years I have been working on a little leisurely project, translating Nicholas Guertler's Historia Templariorum (History of the Templars), an antique book which represents a very early attempt to come up with an 'unbiased' treatise of the Knights' Templar history. I will be publishing little excerpts from this rare book available on this site. There are numerous additional rare materials that I feel necessary to share here, mostly translations of original documents, creating Templar archives of sorts. There will also be blog posts related to the history of the Knights Templar, as well as materials about Medieval History in general: books, movies, online resources - anything that I stumble upon that could be of interest. There a many dubious and mythical ideas about Middle ages and the Order of the Knights Templar in particular. I will definitely not be avoiding those, although I tend to be rather skeptical...
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prior to the purchase of a Swiss Gear Marlet backpack. Seriously, the makers of the Original Swiss Army Knife manufacture products that no self-respecting Knight Templar would ever refuse to don. The red crosses are everywhere! The list price is over $80 and that reflects the quality and excellent features of this backpack. Primarily, these packs are meant for IT professionals on the go, because they have a very nicely padded compartment for a laptop. The Marlet is the smallest backpack in the series, and it is a superb choice even if you don't plan to carry a computer in it all the time.
The Washington monument in the eponymous capital of the United States is crowned with a metal cap. Among other inscriptions, the cap displays the words LAUS DEO, which in Latin means "Praise be to God", or more literally "Praise to God". The inscription most likely reveals some sort of Masonic connection.
More interestingly, Wikipedia informs us of the following:
Halfway up the steps of the monument is an inscription in Welsh: Fy iaith, fy ngwlad, fy nghenedl Cymru — Cymru am byth (My language, my land, my nation of Wales — Wales for ever). The reason for this inscription or its author is unknown.
Washington Monument (Wikipedia article)
At the very least we know that this is not some sort of Elfish language :) But seriously, "the reason for this inscription or its author is unknown"? You may wait for Dan Brown's new novel, "The Solomon Key", to find out what this inscription is all about. I am sure the truth will be most entertaining, as Dan Brown explores the dark secrets of Masonic symbolism in the nation's capital. But if you don't feel like waiting, here is what I uncovered:
"In 1834 a dinner was held by the Welsh residents of New York, presided over by E. W. Davis, and aided by T. Ingram Tones and the late Daniel L. Jones. The success of the dinner suggested the idea oi organizing a Welsh national society, and a draft of the constitution nnd by-laws for such a society was made. Out of this initiative grew the present St. David Society, which has helped hundreds of distressed Welshmen who have stranded on their arrival In the United States. Daniel L. Jones was president in 1863. Among its presidents have been Gen. Thomas L. James. Hon. Noah Davis, Ellis H. Roberts, the present United States Treasurer, and a score of other prominent Americans. It was through Mr. Jones that the government permitted a stone to be placed in the Washington monument to represent the little principality. This stone was imported from a quarry near Swansea. It bears the following inscription: Fy iaith. Fy Ngwlad, Ky Nghenedl. Wales. Cymru am Byth! Mr. Daniel L. Jones was a faithful, consistent and patriotic Welshman."
The Cambrian, a monthly magazine, Vol. XVIII, 1898.
Of course, it is still very suspicious that Welshmen be ever allowed to express their patriotic (and hence non-American) sentiments on this great obelisk. So, we shall see what Mr. Brown will be able to dig up.
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