#: locale=en
## Tour
### Description
tour.description = Discover the enigma of Royston Cave in this Virtual Reality Experience.
### Title
tour.name = Royston Cave
## Skin
### Multiline Text
HTMLText_06420CB8_157F_A001_418E_10C0782635EA.html = Royston Cave is an enigma. No records of its age or purpose exist. Some theories suggest it was used by the Knights Templar, others by King James I and the Freemasons. Less popular theories suggest that Royston Cave was used as a private chapel or hermitage.
Man-made and beehive shaped, Royston Cave is cut 8 m into the chalk that underlies Royston's ancient crossroad, Ermine Street and Icknield Way. It is decorated with extensive low relief wall carvings, some of which may have been originally coloured. The carvings are mostly Christian in depiction and medieval in style. They include representations of the Crucifixion, the Holy Family and notable saints including St Catherine and St Christopher. Elsewhere are figures of a horse and an Earth Goddess, believed to be Pagan fertility symbols.
Royston Cave is an enigma. No records of its age or purpose exist. Some theories suggest it was used by the Knights Templar, others by King James I and the Freemasons. Less popular theories suggest that Royston Cave was used as a private chapel or hermitage.
Man-made and beehive shaped, Royston Cave is cut 8 m into the chalk that underlies Royston's ancient crossroad, Ermine Street and Icknield Way. It is decorated with extensive low relief wall carvings, some of which may have been originally coloured. The carvings are mostly Christian in depiction and medieval in style. They include representations of the Crucifixion, the Holy Family and notable saints including St Catherine and St Christopher. Elsewhere are figures of a horse and an Earth Goddess, believed to be Pagan fertility symbols.
3D Cave Experience
See Royston Cave as you've never seen it before
This high definition 3D scan will guide you from street level right up close to the carvings.
You can let the sequence play to the end or stop and explore as you go.
3D Cave Experience
See Royston Cave as you've never seen it before
This high definition 3D scan will guide you from street level right up close to the carvings.
You can let the sequence play to the end or stop and explore as you go.
Nearly 2,000 years ago, the Romans built Ermine Street running south to north, from London to York. It became one of the most important Roman roads in the country and Royston grew at its intersect with Icknield Way, a prehistoric highway running east to west, from East Anglia to Salisbury Plain.
The custom of erecting crosses at crossroads developed early in the Christian era. The origin of Royston’s cross is unknown, but it has been widely attributed to a Lady Roisia. Records, dating from just after the Norman conquest in 1066, mention a few noblewomen by the name of Roisia. The earliest was the wife of William the Conqueror’s steward, who owned extensive land in the area. It is possible that she erected Royston’s cross or restored an existing monument. At that time, no town existed and the area was known as Crux Roheyes or Roisia’s Cross.
Following the establishment of the Augustinian Priory here in the 12th century, a market was formed from which a town developed. By the early 14th century, Roisia’s Cross had become Roisia’s Town which eventually contracted to Royston. The stone that formed the base of the cross now stands at the northern end of the High Street. Dedicated to St John the Baptist and St Thomas of Canterbury, the church and priory buildings gradually expanded until the dissolution of the monasteries nearly 400 years later during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Royston was an important place during the reign of King James I. He stopped overnight in Royston on his journey south to London to be crowned king in 1603. Attracted by the suitability of the area for hunting, in 1604 the King built a hunting lodge in the town and returned almost every year to hunt and shoot. The hunting lodge in Kneesworth Street still partly exists and is now known as the Old Palace.
Nearly 2,000 years ago, the Romans built Ermine Street running south to north, from London to York. It became one of the most important Roman roads in the country and Royston grew at its intersect with Icknield Way, a prehistoric highway running east to west, from East Anglia to Salisbury Plain.
The custom of erecting crosses at crossroads developed early in the Christian era. The origin of Royston’s cross is unknown, but it has been widely attributed to a Lady Roisia. Records, dating from just after the Norman conquest in 1066, mention a few noblewomen by the name of Roisia. The earliest was the wife of William the Conqueror’s steward, who owned extensive land in the area. It is possible that she erected Royston’s cross or restored an existing monument. At that time, no town existed and the area was known as Crux Roheyes or Roisia’s Cross.
Following the establishment of the Augustinian Priory here in the 12th century, a market was formed from which a town developed. By the early 14th century, Roisia’s Cross had become Roisia’s Town which eventually contracted to Royston. The stone that formed the base of the cross now stands at the northern end of the High Street. Dedicated to St John the Baptist and St Thomas of Canterbury, the church and priory buildings gradually expanded until the dissolution of the monasteries nearly 400 years later during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Royston was an important place during the reign of King James I. He stopped overnight in Royston on his journey south to London to be crowned king in 1603. Attracted by the suitability of the area for hunting, in 1604 the King built a hunting lodge in the town and returned almost every year to hunt and shoot. The hunting lodge in Kneesworth Street still partly exists and is now known as the Old Palace.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
The most popular theory is that Royston Cave was used by the Knights Templar. The Knights Templar were a religious and military order of monks formed in c. 1119 to protect pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. They became an influential organisation acquiring vast wealth and land across Europe.
By the end of the 13th century support for the Knights Templar had dwindled. In 1307, they were declared heretics by Pope Clement V and King Phillip IV of France who, deeply in debt to the Templars, sought to lay claim to their wealth. Persecution and imprisonment of the Templars followed swiftly throughout Europe and many fled or went underground.
With a stronghold in Baldock, approx. 8 miles from Royston, and having frequented Royston to sell at its market, it’s possible the Knights Templar used Royston Cave as a secret place of worship. Carvings similar to that in Royston Cave have been found at Templar sites across Europe.
KING JAMES I & THE FREEMASONS
King James I's involvement with Freemasonry has long been disputed but some argue that he helped establish it in England, after it originated in Scotland where he was also king. With James owning a palace in Royston and visiting the town to hunt, some theories suggest the King used Royston Cave to practise Freemasonry away from the prying eyes of his court. If that is the case, Royston Cave is one of the earliest examples of a Freemason's Lodge in England.
SAXON HERMITAGE
Some believe Royston Cave was a hermitage, the subterranean home of a hermit. A hermit is someone who lives in solitude as a religious discipline. It was common in the Saxon period for hermitages to be established at the side of roads, so Royston Cave's proximity to the ancient crossroad may not be a coincidence. It is believed that travellers would pay the hermit to pray for their safe passage and that less notable carvings in the cave could be effigies of its more generous benefactors.
LADY ROISIA'S CHAPEL
Lady Roisia, after which Royston is thought to be named, was the wife of William the Conquerer's steward, who owned extensive land in the area. Having been attributed to establishing the stone cross at Royston's crossroad, some suggest Lady Roisia used Royston Cave as her private chapel.
LEY LINES
Royston Cave is frequented by Earth energy and Pagan visitors who believe that the Michael and Mary Ley lines cross inside the cave. Ley lines are thought to connect sacred sites throughout the world with electromagnetic energy. The Michael and Mary Ley lines are also said to cross through Glastonbury, Avebury and Bury St Edmunds Cathedral. It’s believed that the Ley lines create a powerful source of healing energy and that the cave has been a sacred place for thousands of years.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
The most popular theory is that Royston Cave was used by the Knights Templar. The Knights Templar were a religious and military order of monks formed in c. 1119 to protect pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. They became an influential organisation acquiring vast wealth and land across Europe.
By the end of the 13th century support for the Knights Templar had dwindled. In 1307, they were declared heretics by Pope Clement V and King Phillip IV of France who, deeply in debt to the Templars, sought to lay claim to their wealth. Persecution and imprisonment of the Templars followed swiftly throughout Europe and many fled or went underground.
With a stronghold in Baldock, approx. 8 miles from Royston, and having frequented Royston to sell at its market, it’s possible the Knights Templar used Royston Cave as a secret place of worship. Carvings similar to that in Royston Cave have been found at Templar sites across Europe.
KING JAMES I & THE FREEMASONS
King James I's involvement with Freemasonry has long been disputed but some argue that he helped establish it in England, after it originated in Scotland where he was also king. With James owning a palace in Royston and visiting the town to hunt, some theories suggest the King used Royston Cave to practise Freemasonry away from the prying eyes of his court. If that is the case, Royston Cave is one of the earliest examples of a Freemason's Lodge in England.
SAXON HERMITAGE
Some believe Royston Cave was a hermitage, the subterranean home of a hermit. A hermit is someone who lives in solitude as a religious discipline. It was common in the Saxon period for hermitages to be established at the side of roads, so Royston Cave's proximity to the ancient crossroad may not be a coincidence. It is believed that travellers would pay the hermit to pray for their safe passage and that less notable carvings in the cave could be effigies of its more generous benefactors.
LADY ROISIA'S CHAPEL
Lady Roisia, after which Royston is thought to be named, was the wife of William the Conquerer's steward, who owned extensive land in the area. Having been attributed to establishing the stone cross at Royston's crossroad, some suggest Lady Roisia used Royston Cave as her private chapel.
LEY LINES
Royston Cave is frequented by Earth energy and Pagan visitors who believe that the Michael and Mary Ley lines cross inside the cave. Ley lines are thought to connect sacred sites throughout the world with electromagnetic energy. The Michael and Mary Ley lines are also said to cross through Glastonbury, Avebury and Bury St Edmunds Cathedral. It’s believed that the Ley lines create a powerful source of healing energy and that the cave has been a sacred place for thousands of years.
Royston Cave was discovered by accident in 1742 by workmen erecting a bench in the butter market above. A millstone was found in the ground which, when lifted, uncovered a vertical, well-like shaft. A small boy was volunteered to make the first descent. He found the cave to be more than half filled with earth and debris.
In the expectation of finding treasure, the shaft was enlarged and the cave emptied, uncovering extensive wall carvings in the lower part of the chamber. The cave's contents also included a skull, fragments of a small drinking vessel and an unmarked piece of brass.
Royston Cave was discovered by accident in 1742 by workmen erecting a bench in the butter market above. A millstone was found in the ground which, when lifted, uncovered a vertical, well-like shaft. A small boy was volunteered to make the first descent. He found the cave to be more than half filled with earth and debris.
In the expectation of finding treasure, the shaft was enlarged and the cave emptied, uncovering extensive wall carvings in the lower part of the chamber. The cave's contents also included a skull, fragments of a small drinking vessel and an unmarked piece of brass.
Lights out...
Click the bulb to experience the cave in low lighting!
Lights out...
Click the bulb to experience the cave in low lighting!