Sunday, May 14, 2017

"Templars in America" by Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins


Templars in America
From the Crusades to the New World
by Tim Wallace-Murphy 
and Marilyn Hopkins
Barnes & Noble, 2006
Notes by Travis Simpkins

     Despite its somewhat misleading title, Templars in America: From the Crusades to the New World by Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins is one of the most masterfully written books on the topic of Pre-Columbian exploration of North America, with a particular focus on the 1396 voyage of Prince Henry St. Clair.
     Contrary to what students are taught in school, America was not "discovered" by Christopher Columbus in 1492, but rather has seen seafaring visitors from many lands dating back to ancient times. Even prior to Prince Henry's late-14th Century voyage, evidence indicates possible early exploration and trade with North America by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Africans, Romans, St. Brendan, Prince Madoc and the Vikings.
     The bulk of the text centers on Prince Henry St. Clair's family background and the adoption of Templar ideals which inspired him to seek out and create a settlement in the new World based upon the principles of tolerance and freedom. Chapters are dedicated to Prince Henry's gentle relations with the native Mi'qmaq tribe he encountered. The most fascinating parts, for me, dealt with the tangible aspects of the voyage: namely the Westford Knight, the Westford Boat Stone and the Newport Tower, a wondrous structure which is analyzed in both architectural and scientific terms. 
     The remainder of the book contains often-groundbreaking research and wonderful ideas which should be read and interpreted firsthand. This tome, along with all his other works, attests to Tim Wallace-Murphy's understanding and masterful interpretation of the Western Esoteric Tradition's core principles and how such Templar and Masonic philosophies tie into our shared history.


Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Viking Axe Head. Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Viking Longship

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Viking Settlement. Nova Scotia

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Viking Longship

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Kirkwall Scroll

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Prince Henry Sinclair Memorial

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Zeno Map

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: America's Stonehenge

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: The Westford Knight

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: The Westford Knight

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: The Westford Knight

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: The Westford Knight

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: The Westford Boat Stone

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: The Newport Tower

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: The Newport Tower

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Eine Hallow, Orkney

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Eine Hallow, Orkney

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Rosslyn Chapel

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Maize. Rosslyn Chapel

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Aloe. Rosslyn Chapel

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins: Prince Henry Sinclair Memorial

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins

Templars in America. Tim Wallace-Murphy 

Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014): Christian Bale as Moses


     Directed by Ridley Scott, Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) is an astounding CGI based Biblical epic film. The well-known story follows Moses, once a Prince of Egypt, who discovers his true heritage and leads 400,000 Hebrew slaves out of Egypt and away from Pharaoh Ramses in the wake of a series of plagues inflicted by God. The script obviously takes some liberties with dialogue and character development. The special effects are incredible and great attention was given to portraying the sets of Ancient Egypt in it's historical splendor… from the Great Pyramids to Abu Simbel. Disregard any negative reviews, the film is a wondrous cinematic experience. The cast does a good job all-around, including Christian Bale as Moses, Joel Edgerton as Rameses, John Turturro as Seti I, Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley. Spanish actress Maria Valverde is stunningly beautiful as Zipporah, the wife of Moses.


Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Ancient Egypt

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Christian Bale as Moses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Christian Bale as Moses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Pharaoh Rameses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Christian Bale as Moses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Ancient Egypt

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Christian Bale as Moses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Ancient Egypt

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Sigourney Weaver

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Ancient Egypt

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Ben Kingsley

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Ancient Egypt 

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Christian Bale as Moses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Christian Bale as Moses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Maria Valverde

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Maria Valverde

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Maria Valverde

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Maria Valverde

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Christian Bale as Moses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: The Burning Bush

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Maria Valverde

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Ancient Egypt

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Ancient Egypt

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Ancient Egypt

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Christian Bale as Moses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Pharaoh Rameses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Pharaoh Rameses

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: The Red Sea

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: The Red Sea

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Maria Valverde

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Maria Valverde

Exodus: Gods and Kings. 2014: Christian Bale as Moses

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Cornelius Vanderbilt II. The Breakers. Newport Mansions. by Travis Simpkins

Cornelius Vanderbilt II. 1843-1899. The Breakers. Newport Mansions. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of
Cornelius Vanderbilt II
( 1843 - 1899 )
American Socialite, 
Heir and Businessman
Owner of 
The Breakers
Newport , Rhode Island
The Preservation Society of Newport County
by Travis Simpkins


based on a painting by John Singer Sargent


Inside The Breakers Mansion - Newport, RI


For more info, please visit:


Cornelius Vanderbilt II. by Travis Simpkins. The Breakers. Newport Mansions