HOLE LOT OF MYSTERY

This ‘regular’ rabbit hole hides an incredible secret – the entrance to a mysterious cave network used by the Knights Templar 700 years ago

Beautiful carved arches and a network of walkways form part of ancient site underneath Shropshire field

    

 

This unassuming rabbit hole in Shropshire field conceals the entrance to an incredible cave network

Caters News Agency

The ancient space was used by the Knights Templar 700 years ago

 

Photographer Michael Scott visited the site – barely a metre beneath a farmer’s field – after seeing a video about it online.
The 33-year-old said: “I traipsed over a field to find it, but if you didn’t know it was there you would just walk right past it.

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The network contains beautifully carved arches, a font and a series of walkways

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The entrance to the network can be found in a farmer’s field

Caters News Agency    

Photographer Michael Scott visited the site after seeing a video about it online

“It’s probably less than a metre underground, so it’s more into the field than under it.
“Considering how long it’s been there it’s in amazing condition, it’s like an underground temple.”
Michael added the cave was quite cramped and those nearing six feet tall would have to bend down to fit in.

  

   

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Photographer Michael told of his surprise at how well-preserved the site was

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The cave is quite cramped and requires anyone taller than six foot to crouch

Caters News Agency    

Hidden away from the elements the interior of the network is bone dry

“It was raining so the slope down was quite sludgy but inside the cave was bone dry.”
The Knights Templar were a medieval religious order that fought in the Crusades.

Who were The Knights Templar?

The Knights Templar were a highly-trained Catholic military order who fought in the Holy Land during the time of the Crusades that began in the eleventh century.


They were hailed for their courage in battle and were the original custodians of the Turin Shroud.
The organisation was hugely wealthy and wielded significant political muscle.
With their military presence no longer required following the Crusades they remained powerful as bankers and money lenders and many of Europe’s dynasties were indebted to them.
To wipe out his debts to the Templars, King Phillip of France hatched a plot to destroy them. Backed by the Pope, on the evening of Friday 13th of October, 1307, Templars were arrested all over France and charged with heresy. That earned Friday the 13th its place in superstition for being unlucky.
From the 18th century onwards the freemasons adopted symbols and rituals of the order – that played a central role in Dan Brown’s blockbuster The Da Vinci Code.
(The Sun, UK)

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