Treasure in Nova Scotia?

The next question is why would Prince Henry Sinclair bother traveling to Nova Scotia? The only logical answer, as I will outline, would have involved something extremely valuable, specifically the treasure of the Order of the Poor Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, otherwise known as the Knights Templar. Many people are aware of the Oak Island site on Nova Scotia’s southern shore, overgrown with imported European oaks, and suspected by locals since the late 1700′s to be a treasure repository.

This site comprises structures going hundreds of feet down to a chamber at the level of bedrock. It is so elaborately engineered that even modern treasure seekers have been unable to circumvent the system of flood tunnels and booby traps left for would-be interlopers. Some critics claim the flood tunnels are naturally occurring structures, but the layers upon layers of oak planking and packed cocoanut husks tell another story entirely. This is unlikely to be the work of a motley crew of pirates as some claim, but rather the work of trained engineers.

Coincidentally, the Freemasons of the 13th century would have numbered just such engineers, in fact the very best that medieval Europe had to offer. Freemasonry saw its origins with the humble stone cutters of the Catholic Church’s Middle Ages building mania. As the Gothic style of churches, cathedrals, and monasteries developed and became more elaborate the Freemasons slowly mastered intricate engineering skills. They organized themselves into a continent-wide network of lodges to which members could gain entry by elaborate passwords, grips and signs. This was for the very practical reason that the Freemasons often had to travel the brigand ridden highways of medieval Europe. No one, however, would bother robbing a mason because they never carried any money. All a visiting Mason’s needs were taken care of at the local lodge. The traveler in turn financed his home lodge so that brothers would stay, eat and equip themselves without expense.

In his book, Architecture, David Jacobs explains how by the early 13th century, the Freemasons had earned a level of prestige equal to that of university Ph.D. and had begun to sport scarlet cloaks, long hair and beards. In 1230 the Catholic Church ordered the flamboyant members of the brotherhood to cut their hair and dress modestly as would befit those building their churches. The Freemasons refused and threatened to strike. The Church threatened imprisonment, heresy trials and torture. The Masons replied by threatening to destroy every church, cathedral and monastery they’d built. Incredibly the mighty medieval Church backed down. Many believed the Masons could flatten a huge cathedral by simply removing a keystone or two. The Freemasons got to keep their long hair and beards.