Part II: James I and Santiago.
The turn of the seventeenth century was a tumultuous time in
the politics and religious overtones of the day. James I was crowned in 1603
after the death of Elizabeth I who had died without a heir to the throne. James
VI King of Scotland son of Mary Queen of Scots was the next viable candidate by
blood to the throne. Yet his mother Mary had been beheaded due to her Catholic
beliefs. This was the early era of England and its experiment with a
representative form of government. This factor changed the way rulers would
deal with the people at large and in many ways reduced their influence in the
everyday running of the country.
James was raised in Stirling Castle by the Earl of Mar and
was schooled at a very high level. James was an intelligent man who understood
the delicacy of his position. He had clearly come from an ancestry that was
solidly Catholic yet he was required to be a member of the Church of England
and persecute Catholics in his realm. This caused James to walk a thin line
between the desires of his parliament and the pressure to accept the Catholic
faith in his realm by his European royal relatives and cohorts. Elizabeth’s
reign just prior had been staunchly anti-Catholic.
One of the realms in which this political and religious
factor was apparent is in the colonization efforts undertaken by James in
Virginia and Newfoundland. Officially the colonies were to be inhabited by
members of alternate Christian sects that had once been persecuted by Catholics
in England as well as Catholic regions of the continent. Many of these people
known as Puritans would come to America in search of religious and economic
opportunity. Puritans in turn had been somewhat discriminated against by their
Church of England countrymen. In fact Catholics were banned from taking part in
any early colonization of the Virginia Colony. The blowback effect of this
policy of course would include the fact that Catholic agents were sent to
Jamestown and likely Plymouth and each new place that would spring up as
colonization spread over the eastern seaboard of North America.
Some incidence of this kind of silent conflict are apparent
in the colonization scheme of Sir Francis Bacon in Newfoundland and the later
involvement of Lord Calvert in another colony in Newfoundland known as
Ferryland. Bacon had been one of the investors in the Cupid’s Colony of
Newfoundland in 1610. As discussed earlier this colony did not survive but
another colonization attempt was made later in 1621 by Lord Calvert (later
known as Lord Baltimore).
In 1621 the colony of Avalon was established and the town of
Ferryland became its first town. This colony was established under the auspices
of Lord Calvert who actually came to live at the colony in 1627/28. After
finding it too difficult to develop agriculture in Newfoundland Calvert headed
to Jamestown in the winter of 1628. Upon arrival Calvert demanded to be given
control of Jamestown. He was promptly rebuffed and this incident led ultimately
to Calvert being granted what would come to be known as Maryland. The
involvement of both Sir Francis Bacon and Lord Calvert in a colony called
“Avalon” is interesting in and of itself. Lord Calvert was indeed a cloistered
Catholic as history would later prove.
This story may serve to exemplify the secret infiltration of
early colonial attempts and how Catholic interests were insuring their
influence and involvement in the development of a new continent. It makes sense
that they would be looking out for their interests in a kind of silent war
between Catholics and Protestants that had been going on in England for some
time. There are signs that James I actually still held sympathies for the
Catholics of his realm as his entire family legacy until his reign had been
devoutly Catholic. This must have weighed heavily on the Kings mind as he
formed policies aimed at pleasing both sides. This may have also caused him to
make efforts in secret to insure the survival of the Catholic faith to the
benefit of many in England at that time. By the end of his reign Catholics were
at least allowed to practice their faith to a limited degree.
Jamestown had been named for James I who had in the chain of
succession of monarchs actually been named for Santiago or St. James. Again we
know that the name James in English and Scots kings derives from the 4th
Earl of Stewart (Alexander) naming his son James after Santiago. This also led
to Sir James Douglas being named such after his uncle the 5th Earl
of Stewart. The value of this name exposes a little known value of Santiago de
Compostela on the part of Scottish nobles. As a result it is likely that the
Earls of Stewart, James Douglas, and others were all Knights of Santiago. It is
clear that the builder of Rosslyn Chapel William Sinclair was a Knight of
Santiago. Since James I was a protestant it is likely he was not part of this
order openly.
It is possible that the location of Rosslyn Chapel was
selected on the basis of its spatial relationship to the octagonal portion of
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. This octagon can be used to create an arc on
the globe that points directly to Rosslyn Chapel.
The story of the Battle of Teba also includes a strong
association with Santiago de Compostela. This region of Spain is home to an
interesting mix of culture that includes this being the region where Queen Scota
had lived prior to coming to the British Isles and forming the cultures of
Ireland and Scotland. This factor and others makes Santiago de Compostela a
place of importance for Scottish people and their cultural heritage. This
region of Spain does display a Celtic culture that includes bagpipes and kilts.
Over time there has been a great deal of speculation as to
the degree of Catholic infiltration in the Virginia Colony through time. This
examination will reveal that there was indeed a Catholic presence in early
Virginia that was hidden and kept secret. Many also suspect a small yet
influential Rosicrucian or Masonic influence at Jamestown. Stuck in the middle
were a greater number of colonists that did not have affiliations with this
secret war and went about their lives blissfully ignorant that a battle was
being waged for their souls by their friends and compatriots who held these
beliefs.
One of the byproducts of this silent conflict are
architectural follies that include directional attributes. Many of these
mysteries involve an octagonal structure like the Kings Knot at Stirling or the
Powder Magazine in Williamsburg. Part of
the mystery of Williamsburg of course is the mysterious legend of the Bruton
Parish Church Vault and how it resembles a similar mystery present at Stirling
Castle in Scotland. This makes sense given the influence of King James in the
establishment of the Virginia Colony. Other octagonal structures such as Star
Castle, the Newport Tower, and Powder Magazine of Williamsburg are all involved
in the legacy of Jamestown and colonial America at large. The buildings roles
in establishing ownership of vast areas may have been important in the legal
description of their realm in relation to neighboring properties often held by
rival countries.
Many of the Legends of the Bruton Parish Church Vault in
Williamsburg includes the fact that the vault was once located in the church in
Jamestown. When the colony moved a few miles away to Williamsburg the ‘vault’
and its contents were eventually said in legend to have been moved to the
Bruton Parish Church in a separate vault there. The contents of this vault in
myth were said to have been brought to Jamestown by Nathaniel Bacon. Many
debate the familial relation of this Bacon and Sir Francis Bacon while others
insist he is directly related. Either way this could be why this vault is
referred to as Bacon’s vault. This mistake may have led people later to assume
the vault contained the papers of Sir Francis Bacon.
Recently the discovery of four graves in the Jamestown
Church have reignited the furor over Bacon’s Vault and the possible truth of
this legend. One of the graves excavated included the remains of Captain
Gabriell Archer. Present in the grave was a silver reliquary (box) inscribed
with the letter “M.” This silver box contained six bone fragments and a pewter
vial. An additional piece of pewter in the box may represent part of a flagpole
finial similar to the one recovered in early colonist Bartholomew Gosnold’s
grave.
In fact Gosnold’s grave was also excavated in the recent
past and also yielded an interesting pewter artifact. Gosnold’s grave included
a pewter finial that appears to have been utilized as the tip of flagpole. The
presence of this object may have designated Gosnold as the standard bearer in
an order of knighthood. Gosnold’s mother’s name was Dorothea Bacon. Dorothea
was likely an aunt of Sir Francis Bacon though a family relation is clear in
examining genealogical records. So not only was Sir Francis Bacon an investor in
both the Cupid’s Colony in Newfoundland but also an investor in Jamestown as
well. In Jamestown he would have had family relation Gosnold looking out for an
array of interests. This may infer that Gosnold was part of the small
Rosicrucian minded faction of early Jamestown.
The title “standard bearer” is still an official title of
the York Rite Knights Templar of the United States. This title did descend from
the actual Knights Templar of the Crusades. Many orders of knighthood include
the title of Standard Bearer. Other figures we have examined that were titled
Standard Bearer include Knights Templar Ormus le Guidon. “Le Guidon” means
“Standard Bearer.” If by chance one of the pewter fragments in the reliquary
are part of a flag finial then it is possible that Archer was also considered a
Standard Bearer. In an organization of Knights the Knight designated Standard
Bearer often acted as a kind of first sergeant at arms who kept the ranks in
line and used his flag to echo the commands of other leaders. This was an
honored position that was usually earned by a display of valor or personal
sacrifice. It is possible that Archer earned this honor in association with
another Standard bearer Bartholomew Gosnold.
Archer and Gosnold were closely associated until Gosnold’s
death in 1607. Archer had accompanied Gosnold on his first expedition to the
New World. During 1602 they visited the Newport Rhode Island area and
established a trading post at Cuttyhunk Island.
During this time Gosnold named Martha’s Vineyard Island for his
daughter. This island today is known as Noman’s Island. Later the name Martha’s
Vineyard was transferred to another nearby larger Island and this one was
renamed. Amazingly Noman’s Island is home to a runic inscription that is
inaccessible today due to the islands use as a bombing range. This is
interesting and could suggest in light of other discoveries that Gosnold had
instruction that may have led him to Noman’s Island to find this rune. In any
case it is interesting that Archer was involved in this very first trip to the
America’s on the part of the English.
It is amazing that these two ships captains spent a great
span of time so close to the Newport Tower yet they never noted its presence
there. It is hard to believe that they would have spent time in this region and
not explored the Narragansett Bay that actually went by the name of the Dee
River for a time. This name derives from
Dr. John Dee Elizabeth’s astrologer and teacher of navigation to the Royal
Navy. Dr. John Dee is the original “007” as used as his codename to the Queen.
It is entirely possible that Archer, Gosnold, and Captain John Smith had all
been taught the art of navigation by Dr. John Dee.
In the end it is interesting that such similar pewter
artifacts are associated with both Gosnold and Archer. Perhaps each ships
captain of the colony had once had a flag finial as a talisman of their
authority. Alternately both men were considered Standard Bearers of the
Knighthood they belonged to. Archer had accompanied Gosnold on his first
expedition to America in 1602. When they landed in what would be known of as
Provincetown Harbor prior to establishing Cuttyhunk they were arguably the
first Englishmen to walk on the shores of New England. This harbor was also
likely the point from which America was claimed in the name of an English
monarch. Later the Mayflower Compact would be signed in the very same harbor.
All of this was likely legally claimed in association with the octagonal shape
of Star Castle as discussed in relation to the Newport Tower as before. So here
is Gosnold foreshadowing the signing of the Mayflower Compact in a specific
place as indicated by an axis or datum in the form of Star Castle on the Isle
of Scilly.
The use of a reliquary as in Archer’s grave in this fashion
is a Catholic tradition. Records indicate that Archer was a protestant loyal to
the crown. Why would his burial include
what was seemingly an object firmly related to Catholic tradition? Whose bones
were in the box? What is going on with this seemingly out of place artifact? It
seems that many English Catholics had converted to the Church of England yet
had retained their Catholic beliefs and sympathies in a hidden manner.
It is possible that Gabriell Archer was a Jesuit spy who had
come to Jamestown to collect information and possibly influence the outcome of
specific events. This may be apparent in Archer’s adversarial relationship with
Captain John Smith. At one point Archer tried to have Smith executed due to his
relationship with the local Native Americans. The arrival at this time of
Captain Christopher Newport with supplies and more colonists was the only thing
that saved Smith from the hangman. Later Newport seemed to favor Smith in the
argument and Archer was sent home on the next transport to England. It is at
this time that Archer may have been recruited by his close relatives including
the Croft family who were staunch Jesuits. As it turns out Archer had a direct
relation his own age who was a very influential Jesuit Priest.
James Archer was an Irish cleric who would play a great
hidden hand in Catholic activities in England and Ireland. Ultimately James
lived and worked at a Jesuit concern in Santiago de Compostela where the
Sepulcher of St. James is located. James Archer and Gabriell Archer are
distantly related via the Croft family and other Archers as well. James Archer
was involved in and was wanted by the Crown for his involvement in many plots
to destabilize the regime of James I.
Archers return trip to England in 1608 was right at a period
when Catholics were starting to be more accepted and were even being allowed to
openly practice their faith again. Eventually Archer would return to Jamestown
to meet his fate. It is at about this time (1604) that Croft reignited his
passion for his Catholic beliefs. Beyond this Croft even associated himself
with the Jesuit College in England at that time. So there are some solid
connections between Captain Archer and not only Catholic but Jesuit
associations. Noted also is the return to the Catholic faith of many other
members of the Archer family at this time. This dedication to their faith is no
surprise. The Archer family had come to England as one of the noble Norman
families of William the Conqueror and had held powerful positions with many
monarchs over the years. Generations of Archers were part of the Catholic
Priesthood in England. Later other Members of their family served for
generations as the Sheriff of Warwickshire. Still other Archers served as
grooms to the Kings of England.
The Jesuits are known for gathering intelligence and
attempting to influence the outcome of political systems so this may fit the
bill of what Gabriell Archer was involved in at Jamestown. This would also
explain why he wished to rid the colony of Captain John Smith who likely
represented a member of the Rosicrucian camp in early Jamestown. Even here at
one of the earliest points of American history we see these two distinct camps
battling each other for the hearts and minds of the people. It is easy to see the
Catholic involvement in the development of early America via the influence of
the Jacobite ideal. Many historians credit the start of the Jacobean ideal
during the reign of James I. The home of James Archer at Santiago de Compostela
is one of the largest Jacobite symbols that exist. The entire basis of Jacobite
ideals and the Cult of St. James are intimately intertwined through history.
Where does this leave us with regard to the contents of the
reliquary that was found with Archer’s remains? A good guess is that when
Archer returned to England in 1608 he had been recruited by his Jesuit family
members to bring this talisman back to the New World. While Archer was gone
many of them seemed to have returned to their Catholic and Jesuit ideals as
restrictions on their faith were being loosened by a sympathetic King James.
What could be in the box that was so important for them to have in this new
land? If it is true that Archer was working clandestinely then only a few
others in the colony who were also Catholic would have been aware of what was
in the box that was buried with Archer. For anyone to reveal the contents or
that they knew its contents would have led to their execution or expulsion from
the colony. This repression of Catholics may have led to many of the mysteries
and clandestine goings on in Colonial Virginia.
Part of the history of Lord Calvert involves speculation
that he was a secret closeted Catholic at this time. The existence of this
reliquary may also be why Lord Calvert was so interested in taking Jamestown
for himself when he arrived from his failed Ferryland Colony in Newfoundland.
It is possible that Calvert knew what was in the reliquary and it was important
enough for him to take control of. Later since Calvert could not gain control
of Jamestown it was decided to keep all of this a secret as it has remained
today.
It is highly likely that there are Catholic interests at the
time of publication of this book who were aware of the presence of this
reliquary in Archer’s grave and the importance of what it contained. Here we
see a very important and interpretive artifact being found at the location
where Bacon’s Vault was supposed to have once been located. It is remotely
possible that the presence of this reliquary gave birth to the notion that
there was a hidden vault of information somewhere in or near Williamsburg only
a few miles from Jamestown. Part of the reason Archer was even sent back to
Jamestown after he had been sent home was to bring the reliquary back there
with him.
Given Gabriell Archer’s possible relation to Jesuit Priest
James (Iago) Archer is it possible that the bones in this reliquary are
fragments of the body of St. James from Santiago de Compostela? Archer lived in
Santiago de Compostela for a significant part of his life. There is a chance
that he had access to the Sepulcher of St. James and had obtained some
fragments to send to the new colony even named after Santiago! It makes perfect
sense from a symbolic and talismanic viewpoint that these people would see the
need to send such a powerful talisman of their beliefs to the New World to a
place that had collaterally been named for the Saint. Jamestown may have
included a small part of the remains of St. James in this reliquary brought by
Gabriell Archer to the new colony. Archer’s secret would die with him as he
passed later in the “time of starvation” in the year 1609. Archer had returned
to Jamestown with this important symbol of his beliefs only to perish soon
after.
Interestingly the small silver reliquary includes a letter
“M” inscribed on its lid. This is very interesting in the association of this
letter with Mary Magdalene. “M” is also the thirteenth letter giving it even
more significance in the eyes of many who value the Magdalene. This factor may give
rise for some to speculate that the reliquary contains bone fragments of Mary
Magdalene. This is also possible but there are many more interpretations of the
letter “M” in this context. The letter “M” is also symbolically associated with
Jesus Christ. Along with the twelve apostles Christ would have been “13.” Some
consider Mary Magdalene the 13th apostle.
The box itself is hexagonal in profile and includes a lid
that is attached to the top in a unique way. The letter M on the top seems to
have been etched with a knife or sharp object and does not appear to have been
engraved. The form of this box is reminiscent of the boxes described holding
the heart of Robert the Bruce and later the missing Knights of Teba but those
reliquaries were said to have been enameled and were not silver. In either case
the storage of relics in a silver box indicates the value of the contents as
well. During the Jacobite uprisings in England a small reliquary containing the
finger of St. Columba was paraded in front of the troops prior to battle. The
use of a relic composed of a Saint’s remains is commonly used in this manner.
Many of the alternate theories of St. James suggest that he
was a brother or blood relation of Christ. This dynamic also holds true of the
remains of Mary Magdalene who many believe bore the children of Christ. Given
this if the reliquary contained the remains of Mary Magdalene then Archer
likely was not a Jesuit. Since there is a great deal of evidence that he did
have Catholic associations it is likely that these are not the remains of Mary
Magdalene but of a saint or figure that would be valued by Catholics and not
threatened by as in the case of Mary Magdalene.
Does the “M” on the lid of the reliquary mean that some
remains of Christ are present in the box? Many do associate the letter 13 with
Christ in the numeric progression of the number of apostles. Speculation does
exist that the entire Cult of St. James is secretly geared towards the remains
of Christ that are actually interred there. This may have happened after the
time of the Crusades. If Christian interests had to evacuate Jerusalem wouldn’t
it make sense that they would also pack up and take any significant relics with
them and reinter them in other places of significance that they still controlled?
Each end of the reliquary is incised with designs that may
shed a great deal of light on the value of what the reliquary represents. One
end of the reliquary includes some crudely incised art that is representative
of arrows. This would fit the name of Captain Archer and his family legacy. In
the feathered portion of one of the arrows it is plain to see the Auspice of
Mary symbol that resembles the Compass and Square design of Freemasonry. The
“AVM” is present on the reliquary. The opposite end also has some hastily
incised designs that resemble stone mason’s marks or runic characters. Indeed
one X with the central I resembles the Chi Rho and the monogram of Christ. The
other figure is clearly the X with the hook that is representative of the Alpha
and Omega. This reliquary displays the same symbols later seen in the logo of
the College of William and Mary and the symbols on the Kensington Rune.
The inclusion of these symbols on this reliquary are amazing
and very significant. These symbols were included on a tapestry made by Mary
Queen of Scots herself. The origins and path of the development of the
appreciation for the symbols on this reliquary is a road map as to the
involvement of those that venerated the works of Sir Francis Bacon and the image
and cultural heritage of the Culture of Santiago and Santiago de Compostela.
The only good guess or conclusion as to whose bones are included in the
reliquary would be Santiago or St. James himself.
Outside of Jerusalem Santiago de Compostela seems to be the
next most significant point of pilgrimage in Catholic beliefs. Sending a small
part of one of these important relics to completely new land unaffected by any
of the religious or social mores of the old world would make sense when viewing
the overall pattern of behavior. The remains of St. James being in Jamestown
may have been too much to resist for anyone who knew the true origins of the
name of that colonial town among English and Scottish nobility.
Logic dictates that this reliquary held the remains of
someone important to the Catholic cause at this time. All of this was not
spoken of or kept secret because Jesuit
Catholic interests in England and the colonies at this time were
required to operate in a clandestine manner harkening back to the Christian
mysteries of Rome prior to the acceptance of the faith by Constantine. Since
the time of this reliquary’s deposition in Archers Grave in 1609 it has sat
well protected and unknown of by anyone but a few. Even then the location of
this grave was unknown of until recently. The area was then subsequently
protected by its status as a National Park for a long span of time.
Hopefully DNA and radiocarbon tests will be carried out on
these remains to determine their age and region of origin. This reliquary could
represent a secret that when exposed will change the scope of how colonial
history is considered in the overall view of the history of the United States
of America. If this story is true and the bones are that of Santiago then it
would fit a broader pattern of the symbology of Santiago as it appears in many
American icons.
One of the most convincing pieces of evidence gathered that
may expose whose bones are in the Archer reliquary includes the genealogy or
ancestors of Gabriel Archer. Archer’s line has his wife descending from King
Edward and Elanor of Castile. Eleanor is directly descendant of King Alphonso
IX of Leon. Alphonso IX is interred at Santiago de Compostela very close to the
Sepulcher of St. James himself. The date ranges supposed for the age of the
Archer reliquary match the era of Alphonso IX. Alphonso IX was also the
commander of forces that included a band of Scottish Knights of Sir James
Douglas at the Battle of Teba where they all disappeared from the pages of
history. In addition Alphonso IX was the person who consecrated the Cathedral
of Santiago de Compostela in 1211.
All of this adds up to the fact that Archer’s relation via
this line could provided individuals that would have had access to the
sepulcher of St. James and his remains. The age of the holy water ampule
emblazoned with the Scallop Shell of the Camino is testament to these
possibilities. In addition it is highly possible that Archer had a direct
relative at Santiago de Compostela who was Jesuit Priest. There are many signs
that the Archer family had always been devout Catholics with a great devotion
to Santiago. It is also known that several different members of the Archer
family personally collected the relics of saints.
There is high probability that the bones of Santiago were
brought to Jamestown by Captain Gabriel Archer. Stay tuned for more on this in
the coming days.
The “field of stars” of the American flag may represent the
field of stars or Compostela of Santiago. Compostela in Latin, Campus Steallae
means “field of stars.” The association of the Cult of Santiago with the early
Scottish and English Monarchs named James contributes to why this was all done
clandestinely. The name of the Jacobites is directly related to a value of the
imagery of St. James as well. Jacobites were supporters of deposed Kings James
II and Bonnie Prince Charlie the rightful heirs to the English and Scottish
thrones. The Stewart nobles were named for Santiago and many of them were
Knights of Santiago though this may be a cloistered secret to some degree. It
is then no coincidence that the first settlement undertaken by King James would
also possess a secret value of Santiago. It is entirely apropos that a small
part of Santiago would have been brought to Jamestown.
The reliquary of Captain Archer was found in a context that
legend tells us includes
“Bacon’s Vault.” As we have examined this legend also is incorporated into the Beale Treasure Legend. The remainder of the Jamestown Chapel is slated to be excavated through the floor of the newer Chapel in the summer of 2016. Stay tuned for updates in this unfolding story. Will they find “Bacon’s Vault?”
“Bacon’s Vault.” As we have examined this legend also is incorporated into the Beale Treasure Legend. The remainder of the Jamestown Chapel is slated to be excavated through the floor of the newer Chapel in the summer of 2016. Stay tuned for updates in this unfolding story. Will they find “Bacon’s Vault?”
Second guess for
whose remains are in the reliquary. Is it Mary Magdalene? Possible.
In the past others have associated the symbols on the
reliquary with Mary Magdalene. It is possible that the remains in the reliquary
are those of the Magdalene. This may also fit if these remains are the brother
of Jesus James who led the early Christian Church.
The fact that the imagery of Jamestown, James, and the
Scallop Shell are Church symbols of Santiago dictates that the remains are of
Santiago. Those that are part of the culture of Mary Madgalene do not subscribe
to the imagery and symbols of the church but may ascribe their own interpretation
of these symbols in relation to Mary Magdalene. Since Archer is a Catholic it
is logical to suspect that he was not a follower of the doctrine of Mary
Magdalene though this is possible for even the most devout of Catholics to
believe. So we will develop this story more closely and see what happens. If
they test the bones it will be obvious if they are male or female.
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