‘The story of ancient abbey is like a real life Da Vinci Code’
HISTORIAN’S SECOND CLUE TO LOST RELIC OF TOWN’S PAST, TO BE REVEALED SOON
A LOCAL historian has released the second clue to an ancient relic of Burton’s past, as part of a ‘real life Da Vinci Code.’
David Adkins has tracked down the most important lost treasure from Burton’s ancient abbey and is in the process of getting it back to the town.
He has seen the relic, touched it, spoken with the custodians and has confirmed that it once took pride of place in the old abbey church of Burton. Now David is giving a second tantalising clue about what the relic is before revealing all soon.
The first clue linked to the proposed re-opening of the Ivanhoe Line, which is hugely symbolic for Burton – named after Walter Scott’s novel ‘Ivanhoe,’ part of which was set at nearby Ashby Castle.
David said: “Back in 2020 we revealed the links between Burton Abbey and the Knights Templars who have been famously linked to the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant for centuries.
“We outlined the connections between the Temple Church in London – perhaps the most important Templar site in England – and Burton-on-Trent through several ancient families that were associated with the town.
“One thing few realised was that Sir William Paget, who took over the Burton Abbey estate, also became the owner of the Outer Temple, providing another strong and indisputable link between Burton-on-Trent and the Temple area of London.
“The Paget’s, therefore, owned both the site of the Outer Temple and the Burton Abbey estate – which included Sinai House – that ancient property overlooking the town.”
The Outer Temple was later developed into Essex House and held by both the Paget’s and Sir Christopher Blount – two of the most important ancient families connected with Burton. David added that this means he can place the Paget’s simultaneously at Burton Abbey and the Temple area of London.
In 2022, the TV series Expedition Unknown, hosted by Josh Gates, filmed an entire episode about the Templars and Sinai House – filming the first part at the Temple Church with the Master of the Temple and the second part here in Burton.
David said: “Many local people will be familiar with the famous picture of Burton Abbey drawn in 1661 by Wenceslas Hollar.
“It is perhaps the most iconic image of the Abbey – although generations of scholars had missed the significance of the large octagonal tower that dominates the other buildings.
“Octagonal buildings were a hallmark of the Templars, and a similar structure was built in the 19th century and designed by the architect R C Sinclair – a name intrinsically linked to the Knights Templar.
“This octagonal building still survives, and local people will know it as The Goat Maltings – it is a true ghost of Burton Abbey. Many local people will know that Wenceslas Hollar ‘drew’ Burton Abbey, although how many will also know that he drew a Knight Templar and the Ark of the Covenant as well?
“When you put the three drawings side by side – with Burton Abbey in the middle – the incredible story of our ancient Abbey becomes ever more like a real life Da Vinci Code.” David also highlights a link between the town’s brewing heritage and the Temple Church.
“Both sisters of the first Lord Burton bore the names of knights of the Temple – one being Sir Richard Chetwode (1560-1635) and the other Sir Edmund Plowden (1518-1585),” he said.
“There are only a small number of knights buried in the Temple Church – making the connection with the Bass family – and in turn Burton – even more remarkable.
“When I first revealed the Templar links to Burton back in 2020, there were many disbelievers – but I am continuing to convince people of the links – and in this article lies the second clue to the most important lost treasure from Burton Abbey that I have located, and hope to reveal, in the coming months.”