Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th century Episcopal church in the village of Roslin, Midlothian. The chapel was designed by William Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness. The Sinclairs were a noble family descended from Norman knights.
Rosslyn Chapel was originally named the Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew. The chapel was officially founded in 1446 with its construction lasting for forty years. The original plans for the chapel have never been found or noted in historical documents.
The Chapel stands on fourteen pillars and they form an arcade of twelve pointed arches. The three pillars at the east end of the chapel are named the Master Pillar, the Journeyman Pillar, and the Apprentice Pillar.
The Apprentice Pillar was given its name from a legend. The legend involves the master mason in charge of the stonework in the chapel and his young apprentice. The master mason did not believe that the apprentice could perform the skilled task of carving the column, without seeing the original design.
The master mason travelled to see the original. He soon returned, and was enraged to discover that the apprentice had completed the column. The master mason, in a fit of jealous anger, lifted up his mallet and struck the apprentice on the head, killing him.
The Green Men are an interesting feature of the Chapel. They are carvings of human faces with greenery around them. The greenery often protrudes from their mouth. They are thought to be a symbol of fertility or rebirth. The Green Men are found in all areas of the chapel. The most excellent carving is in the Lady Chapel between two middle altars.
