New England and Chesapeake Regions Essay Example for Free

New England and Chesapeake Regions Essay Although New England and the Chesapeake regions were both settle largely by people of English origin, the two regions developed differently. Certainly they eventually evolved into similar modern societies. However in their early years, they were very different. Thus, by 1700, the New England and Chesapeake regions had developed into two separate and distinct societies due to differences in social structures, political structures, and economies. The social structures of the two regions were very different, mainly in demographics and the incentives of the immigrants and religion. In the New England area, the early populations was mostly comprised of families with children and servants. This brought to the New World skilled craftsmen, farmers, and indentured servants to shape the economy. This also provided a relatively equal male to female ratio. They had longer life spans and less infant and childbirth related deaths. The incentives of the New England immigrants was to escape religious and political conflicts in England, thus shaping their religion. The religion of the of the New England settlers was very Puritan. They wanted to establish themselves as a city on a hill or a place of morality and social reciprocity to serve as role model for the rest of the Americas. The Puritan communities were strong and tightly knit and the Puritan marriages were stable and most lasted until death. The religion of these settlers greatly influenced their politics; their form of government was a theocracy. The Chesapeake immigrants were many teenage boys and very few women. The women who did immigrate there had great choice in husbands. They married young, widowed, and usually remarried, carrying on the plantations of their late-husbands, resulting in greater economic freedom for women Most of the male immigrants were seeking gold in the New World and prone to fights from the start. The Chesapeake was very diverse in religion. This diversity nearly required religious toleration to some extent. As a result, the community life was very unstable. The political structures of the New England colonies and the Chesapeake colonies, too, were different. In the New England colonies, the  government was a Puritan theocracy. Each town had an agreed upon covenant or promise of not only moral, but social commitment. Established and enforced by their government and covenant were fair and set wages, shared property, and public schools. Each town had a annual town meeting during which the male voters would appoint men to govern for the coming year. In the Chesapeake there was at first general chaos. The councilors appointed by the English king wanted to just go back home to England. The established governments were oligarchies and aristocracies, breeding social unrest in the lower classes, as is very apparent in Bacons Rebellion. In the Chesapeake, there was a system of headrights or one of land grants to people who were willing to either immigrate to the colony or pay for the voyage of another. Also different were the economies of north and south. The New England economy was primarily sustained on agriculture and some fur trading. As governed by their Puritan ideals, goods and foods were traded for need, not profit. The Chesapeake colonies were mainly plantation colonies. The main crops was tobacco, but cotton, indigo and rice were also grown. The labor intensity of the crops grown in the Chesapeake, the bad soil, and unfavorable growing conditions gave rise to slavery in the south. All the crops grown were grown for profits, so there was a very competitive system of plantations. The New England and Chesapeake colonies were settle mostly by the English, but they developed differently. By 1700 the two areas had two very different had developed into two very separate and very distinct societies due two differences in social structures, political structures, and economies.

European Energy Security Essay -- sustainable energy, coal

The energy sector is one of the columns of growth, competitiveness and development in our modern economy, but just with safe, secure, sustainable and affordable energy, the well-being of the people, industry and economy can be ensure. Moreover, energy-related emissions account for almost 80% of the EUÂ ´s total greenhouse gas emissions which directly contribute to climate change. Therefore, Europe is facing a serious energy security challenge in supporting its demand, at the same time that concerns over environmental sustainability and particularly about the global climate. The question is: how can we secure, produce and consume our energy resources in a sustainable way and ensuring that socio-economic development does not compromise the carrying capacity of natural resources? Hence, the aim of this paper is to present a global vision of the European energy security and its relation with the sustainable development concerning different green perspectives and its social and environmental costs. 2. THE ENERGY MARKET 2.1 EU-27 Energy Consumption In 2011, gross inland consumption (GIC) of primary energy within the EU-27 was 1698 million tonnes of oil equivalent (1). Having the tendency remained relatively unchanged until 2008, GIC considerably decreased in 2009 (1). Much of this change can be attributed to a lower level of economic activity as a result of the financial and economic crisis, rather than a structural shift in the pattern of energy consumption (2). Indeed, in 2010 there was a rebound in the level of GIC of primary energy in most of the Member States with only Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Lithuania and Portugal, possibly reflecting the low level of economic output and consumer confidence in several of these countries. How... ...EA. Energy Security and Climate Policy. Assessing Interactions. Paris : s.n., 2007. 17. Going green & energy security. Molho, Nick. s.l. : The Economist, December 11th 2013. 18. European Council. Presidency Conclusions. Brussels : s.n., 2007. 19. European Commission. Green Paper. Towards a European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply. Brussels : s.n., 2001. 20. Green Party. Policies for a Sustainable Society. http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/eu. [Online] Autumn 2013. 21. European Commission. Directorate-General for Energy. Report on the Green Paper on Energy. Four Years of European Initiatives. Brussels : s.n., 2005. 22. Rosenthal, E. Europe Turns to Coal Again, Raising Alarms on CLimate. The New York Times. April 23, 2008. 23. European Commission. Directorate-General for Energy. Energy 2020. 2011. 24. Perce et al. Bluepring for a Green Economy. 1989.

Is Africa the least developed continent? Essay

Why do we hear that Africa is the least developed continent? I mean Africa contains some of the most important natural and mineral resources, so why are Africans still living in an underdeveloped continent? Naturally Africa contains a variety of many rich minerals. One of the largest minerals that Africa holds is petroleum. Petroleum is mostly found in countries like Nigeria, Libya and Equatorial Guinea. These countries are some of the richest nations in Africa, with some of the highest Gross Domestic Profits in the past few years. They are also countries, mostly the southern nations, who boast the rights of having large reserves of gold, diamonds and copper. Then they are a great number of African nations who are blessed with fertile soil, for agricultural purposes, growing some of the most important crops supplying food and exporting goods to people and other nations. Even though we see that these minerals and crops produce most of Africa’s revenues, profit of this capital is found to be wasted. This money is normally given to the government, who dissipate this money on luxuries for the elite or on big projects that may have little or no return at all. We then find that colonialism could be another aspect that contributes to the economic underdevelopment in Africa. Just before decolonization, Africa obtained its highest sum of wealth. This was due to the amount of raw materials exported to countries mostly in Europe. As soon as most countries were independent, Africa was on the back-foot. After many Europeans and their leaders set off back off to their home lands, African nations were lacking individuals with training or education to operate their government that they had inherited. They didn’t know what to do, making it harder for them to make their economy stronger. Another notion that could be a contribution to this underdeveloped continent is corruption and misgoverning. This may be one of the main causes that may have led Africa to have become known as the ‘underdeveloped continent. The government may not be leading the country in the right direction, not putting the country on a path that may lead to a growth in the economy. The government may be spending their capital on luxuries, and not providing services like education and jobs for the less fortunate. All these problems arise, when discussing about why Africa is a poor continent. To resolve these issues, we may need to bring a new government into action, we may need to raise some funds, and we may need to use our resources well to make these very nations of Africa more developed than it ever was.

Analysis Of The Odyssey - 1130 Words

Name: Instructor: Course: Date: The Odyssey is a remarkable piece of the ancient writing that provides a great insight into numerous matters in regard to the past as well as to the present. This poem is greatly appreciated for being a rich source of knowledge about the ancient Greek mundane life: the customs, the hierarchy, the polytheistic religious traditions and rituals. Nevertheless, it would be a great mistake to underestimate the Odyssey in respect to the study of the worldview of the ancient people: the Western literary and art traditions of nowadays borrowed and adjusted indeed a lot from the ancient Greek thought and beliefs about life. Considering those two main aspects of the study of the Odyssey, it would be fruitful to explore and to compare the two major journeys depicted in the epic poem – the one of the principal hero Odysseus and the one of his son, Telemachus. These journeys are of great importance both in regard to the composition of the poem as well as in regard to the metaphorical meani ng represented by them. The synopsis of Odysseus’ journey is not complicated: the reader meets the hero on his departure from the land of Calypso, where he has spent seven years. The god of the sea Poseidon wrecks Odysseus’ boat, however with the help of a nymph he manages to reach the land of Phaeacians, where he is pompously accepted in the palace of the king and the queen. The reader gets the detailed account of Odysseus’ journey from the tale which is retold by theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Odyssey 1368 Words   |  6 PagesHolmes English H, period 3 11 November 2014 Hospitality: An analysis of xenia in The Odyssey William Shakespeare, in Timon Of Athens Act III Scene line 39 writes : I charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide of knaves once more; my cook and I ll provide† Shakespeare is explaining to his readers that he will invite everyone in and he will cook for them meaning that he will provide everything to his guests. Similarly, in The Odyssey Odysseus without knowing it is providing for all the suitorsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 974 Words   |  4 PagesPrabakar Mrs. Kravchak Honors Humanities 1; Period 1 September 10, 2014 The Odyssey Joseph Campbell stated that â€Å"A hero is someone that has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.† He also believed that on the journey to being a hero, one must physically or mentally leave home, decide on a quest, encounter â€Å"dragons†, experience an all out struggle, be wounded, and finally obtain wisdom. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus embarks on a journey to try to get back home to his kingdomRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 1011 Words   |  5 PagesName Tutor Course Date Close Reading Essay In Book X of the Odyssey, Odysseus gives a tale of his adventure in Circe’s Island. He also tells of his encounter with Circe, (X. 380 - 419). Circe’s equivocation, â€Å"Why, Odysseus, dost thou sit thus like one that is dumb, eating thy heart, and dost not touch food or drink? / Dost thou haply forbode some other guile?† (X. 380 - 381), portrays Odysseus sadness and worry for his men. Earlier in this book, he had narrated of how Circe had put a portion inRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 1689 Words   |  7 PagesThe Odyssey begins by describing Odysseus, a â€Å"man of twists and turns† (Homer 1996: 1) showing that this book is focused on the men, rather than the women. Shortly after, the first description of any womanly figure is â€Å"bewitching† (Homer 1996: 2), which shows that as the epic progresses, the description of most female adversaries would be negative. In Hippolytus, Aphrodite begins by saying that she â€Å"treats well who rever e her power† but â€Å"trips up those who are proud (averse) to her† (Euripides 2001:Read MoreAn Analysis Of The Odyssey 1251 Words   |  6 PagesMimi Wang Mrs. Kottke Honors 10 English 3/24/16 The Power of Women in The Odyssey Throughout literary history, women are portrayed as mere property or tools of men; however, women can also be shown as people who hold power in Homer’s The Odyssey. Women hold a significant amount of authoritative power over men in both their lives and mindsets, and this can be seen through Circe s powers that are able to manipulate Odysseus and his men, Penelope s tactics to stall marriage and her caution towardRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 1311 Words   |  6 PagesWilliams Ninth Honors Literature 6 October 2015 PsychOdyssey Tolkien once said, â€Å"Living by faith includes the call to something greater than cowardly self-preservation†. In this quote he captures the very essence of heroism. Homer’s epic poem â€Å"The Odyssey† follows one man, Odysseus on his hero’s journaey home from the Trojan War. There is no question as to whether or not his quest follows the steps of the hero’s journey monomyth. The hero’s journey monomyth is the universal link in all tales of adventureRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 864 Words   |  4 Pageswithout facing some kind of temptation. Temptation can be our biggest weakness, and I think that in Odysseus’s case it was his. In The Odyssey, Homer uses the siren scene to symbolize temptation in different ways. It represents how temptation can come in many different ways; and it can control us no matter how much we know that it is wrong to give in. In The Odyssey, temptation came to Odysseus and his crew from the sirens. This scene displays how temptation looks, sounds, and how it makes you actRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 1313 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"establish peace, gentleness, and justice† (Narayan 1972: 63) in the world. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus has an uncontrollable â€Å"fighting spirit† (Homer 1996: 227) that too often ends in misfortune. Despite these great differences, these two characters have one thing in common: they are widely regarded as heroes in their religion. This is just one of many distinctions between the two epics. In The Odyssey, the afterlife consists of â€Å"the shambling, shiftless dead† (Homer 1996: 251) while in TheRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 3033 Words   |  13 Pages Vivian Tse Brother Pearce FDCA 206 5 November 2014 The Odyssey The Odyssey is one of the earliest epics that exists but is still a highly revered and relevant piece of literature in modern culture. This classic survives because the entire tale of Odysseus’ adventure is symbolic of our human lives and experiences—it is life mythologized. Not only does The Odyssey highlight the heroic and triumphant side of the characters, but it also emphasizes the struggle between heroes’ ethos and their human failingsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 1971 Words   |  8 PagesShane Nordquist English I Honors per. 4 1/22/16 response 1: The Odyssey, being an epic poem is likely to include several typical examples of personalities we are used to seeing. As epic poems often do, the Odyssey describes the Greek view of many of these core archetypes. Odysseus being demonstrated as the hero shows us the Greek value of heroism through his wonderful feats, and his downfalls, his sheer prowess, but also his flaws. In the Greek society, as in any, it is clearly evident that the

Poetry Is A Craft, And If An Art - 1833 Words

Poetry, according to Horace in Ars Poetica, is a craft, and if an art can be defined as something that follows a system of convention, then poetry is as he implies. Perhaps poetry is sometimes interpreted as nothing more than linguistic superfluity of an individual s ideas or feelings, rather, subjective expression. However, language itself has form, it has order, consequently, one must manipulate it to project beauty, inspiration, thought, or any other idea, just as one, versed in the language of sculpting, must utilize the hands in a technical and structured way. Horace identifies these rules and conventions, supporting the notion that poetry is indeed an art, and despite the fact that it may be subjective expression in part, poetry as a craft exists and is created within boundaries, yet these boundaries are understood through wisdom. The concept or ars according to Horace is as such: In three ways: as a practiced mastery of a craft, as a systematic knowledge or theory and techniqu e, and as capacity for objective self-criticism (Horace 120). Poetry, as any other art form, has main principles that guide expression. Furthermore, poetry being intended for either instruction or pleasure, does not resolve whether or not poetry is an art, rather, it is determined by its adherence to and mastery of the principles and techniques. Abstract art, some believe is nonsense, there is no order nor logic, therefore it is not art. However, Horace s principles of defining art asShow MoreRelatedEssay about Nature in Robert Frosts Poems1649 Words   |  7 Pagesbecause family members died of illness and disease (Haas 258). As he developed and honed his craft, all the scholarly encounters with philosophers, physicists, and mathematicians helped lay down the foundations of his thoughts on the synonymous relationship of nature and life struggles. In 1930, Frost presented a nature of poetry to Amherst College Alumni Council to communicate how science and poetry utilize ―figurative juxtapositionsâ€â€" to clarify the subtle and intricate philosophy of ―naturalRead MoreEssay On Improving Health And Wellness736 Words   |  3 Pagesincrease CD4+ lymphocyte counts. The CD4+ lymphocyte counts continuously increased over the six month period, while the control group’s CD4+ lymphocyte counts remained stable. Poetry is another form of expressive writing. Various authors describe poetry as a way for people to gain access to their innermost thoughts. Writing poetry can be healing because it allows writers the opportunity for self-expression not otherwise felt through everyday words. All types of creative expression can be utilized inRead MoreComparing Beats, Rhymes Justice753 Words   |  4 Pagesfor the day was to craft poetry and songs to introduce ourselves. As a songwriter in my free time, I was eager to collaborate with the young men. Yet based off my previous experience leading writing sessions outside of prison, I was concerned that the young men would not be willing to fully express themselves. As the day and weeks went on, I became ashamed in the fact that I ever doubted the young men. With simple guidance, encouragement, and collaboration, they created poetry and song lyrics moreRead MoreHow Shakespeare And Rossetti Engage With The Sonnet1241 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare and Rossetti engage with the sonnet form, through Rossetti’s â€Å"A Sonnet† and Shakespeare’s â€Å"Sonnet 52†. Both poets arguably subvert the traditional Petrarchan sonnet genre, though in different ways. Rossetti’s ‘A Sonnet’ e xplores the sonnet as an art form rather than as a means of currency, as sonnets were seen to be at the time, and how if treated as a commodity, the value of a sonnet is diminished. Similarly, Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 52’ explores the connection between frequency and worth. HoweverRead MoreWilliam Morris : The Impact Of The Arts Movement1273 Words   |  6 Pagesin its own time† To investigate if this was true or not I looked and researched into an Art movement back from the era that had a big impact on nearly everyone and how it changed the style of everything so much. My chosen art movement was the Arts and Crafts movement as well as how the Islamic/Japanese art influenced the work of William Morris; I researched all the key practitioners majorly involved in this arts movement as well as some of the contemporary designers which could’ve possibly took influenceRead MoreDavid and Goiath: The Tale of Poetry738 Words   |  3 PagesDavid and Goliath: Th e Tale of Poetry The utility of poetry has been debated for thousands of years; around 2,500 years ago Plato called for it to be banned for its lack of utility. Plato’s views on poetry were not wrong; looking at it from a purely practical point of view, poetry is not a necessity. It is incomparable to what society considers essential – medicine, technology, leadership. If there were an apocalypse in the future, and we could select only a few people to survive it, the poet wouldRead MoreEdward Hirsch Taught the World to Appreciate Poetry Essay772 Words   |  4 PagesEdward Hirsch taught everyone to love and appreciate poetry to its greatest potential. Born in Chicago on January 20, 1950, he began writing at a young age and his traditional writing style of formal with a small creative twist. He strengthened America Poetry and gave a different view of literary criticism. Like any other eight year old boy, Hirsch loved sports, but he also fell in love with poetry. He found and read a copy of Emily Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s â€Å"Spellbound† and loved it. As a child, he did not readRead MoreSolitude Of A Poet By Emily Dickinson1545 Words   |  7 PagesSeclusion of a Poet A poet, who secluded herself from society for a majority of her life, demonstrated her extensive literary and language skills through her unusual poetry, becoming one of the most recognized and widely studied poet today. Born in December 10, 1886 in Amherst, Massachusetts, Emily Dickinson was one of three children to Edward Dickinson and his wife, Emily Dickinson. According to Pettinger, Dickinson’s roots trace back to her Puritan ancestors from England in the 17th century, whoRead MoreWhite Supremacy And The Jim Crow Laws1369 Words   |  6 Pages Marcus Garvey, Lucy Craft Laney, and Booker T. Washington. These people were psychological influences because African Americans at the time were perceived as finally liberating themselves from a past of self-doubt and surrendering to optimism. They all had a certain attitude about the African American experience as an assortment of possibilities. They proved that African Americans deserved the American Dream as much as a Caucasian American of the time (invida.com). Poetry and writing is a majorRead MoreNeoclassicism And Romanticism1209 Words   |  5 PagesNeoclassicism and romanticism were both heavily influenced in the eighteenth and nineteenth century when it came to the poetry movement. The expression â€Å"Neoclassicism† came from the fact that they were interested in reviving classical forms of art, â€Å"classical† here referring to the art of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The â€Å"Romanticism† in art and literature was a hostile reaction against Neoclassicism, and it emphasizes inspiration, subjectivity, and has an emphasis on emotions and the authority

Self And The City. Chris Abani’S Latest Novel, The Virgin

Self and the City Chris Abani’s latest novel, The Virgin of The Flames, appears to explore a plethora of quintessentially American themes such as race, religion, sexuality, gender, urban environment, and self discovery. Like many of the previous works of American literature read in this course that act as a window into American life at the time of their publication, The Virgin of The Flames is a bay window to the state of the American psyche as a product of the nation’s history, leading up to Black, a muralist in East Los Angeles. While the novel reads a little strange and can try to grab at too many big ideas at once, the two pillars of conflict in Black’s character effortlessly parallel core conflicts of American life. The origin of†¦show more content†¦Freedom within restraints is a contradicting idea, but just like the other themes and conflicts mentioned before, contradictions have dominated American life since 1776. Mark Twain pioneered this theme in all of his works about slavery, including Pudd’nhead Wilson, which was unsurprisingly the first book read in the semester. Roxy finds her literal and personal freedom and retains her personal freedom even after being sold back into slavery by her son, Chambers came to terms with his servitude to then be freed and learn to behave in the restraints of society, Tom lives too freely and is turned immoral by lack of discipline being ultimately resigned to the restraints of slavery, and lastly Pudd’nhead Wilson comes to terms with the restraints of his nickname, personally liberating himself, which leads to him eventually become recognized beyond his reputation. In the acclaimed Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston, Janie Crawford gets a taste of personal freedom at a young age from a pear tree, describing it as sexual liberation from â€Å"root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight.† (11. Eyes Watching). She is restrain ed by her grandmother, whose experience causes her to fear the effects of excessive freedom and build restraints for safety. She lectures

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 81-83 Free Essays

CHAPTER 81 The Hawker is on final approach. Simon Edwards – Executive Services Officer at Biggin Hill Airport – paced the control tower, squinting nervously at the rain-drenched runway. He never appreciated being awoken early on a Saturday morning, but it was particularly distasteful that he had been called in to oversee the arrest of one of his most lucrative clients. We will write a custom essay sample on The Da Vinci Code Chapter 81-83 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sir Leigh Teabing paid Biggin Hill not only for a private hangar but a† per landing fee† for his frequent arrivals and departures. Usually, the airfield had advance warning of his schedule and was able to follow a strict protocol for his arrival. Teabing liked things just so. The custom-built Jaguar stretch limousine that he kept in his hangar was to be fully gassed, polished, and the day’s London Times laid out on the back seat. A customs official was to be waiting for the plane at the hangar to expedite the mandatory documentation and luggage check. Occasionally, customs agents accepted large tips from Teabing in exchange for turning a blind eye to the transport of harmless organics – mostly luxury foods – French escargots, a particularly ripe unprocessed Roquefort, certain fruits. Many customs laws were absurd, anyway, and if Biggin Hill didn’t accommodate its clients, certainly competing airfields would. Teabing was provided with what he w anted here at Biggin Hill, and the employees reaped the benefits. Edwards’s nerves felt frayed now as he watched the jet coming in. He wondered if Teabing’s penchant for spreading the wealth had gotten him in trouble somehow; the French authorities seemed very intent on containing him. Edwards had not yet been told what the charges were, but they were obviously serious. At the French authorities’ request, Kent police had ordered the Biggin Hill air traffic controller to radio the Hawker’s pilot and order him directly to the terminal rather than to the client’s hangar. The pilot had agreed, apparently believing the far-fetched story of a gas leak. Though the British police did not generally carry weapons, the gravity of the situation had brought out an armed response team. Now, eight policemen with handguns stood just inside the terminal building, awaiting the moment when the plane’s engines powered down. The instant this happened, a runway attendant would place safety wedges under the tires so the plane could no longer move. Then the police would step into view and hold the occupants at bay until the French police arrived to handle the situation. The Hawker was low in the sky now, skimming the treetops to their right. Simon Edwards went downstairs to watch the landing from tarmac level. The Kent police were poised, just out of sight, and the maintenance man waited with his wedges. Out on the runway, the Hawker’s nose tipped up, and the tires touched down in a puff of smoke. The plane settled in for deceleration, streaking from right to left in front of the terminal, its white hull glistening in the wet weather. But rather than braking and turning into the terminal, the jet coasted calmly past the access lane and continued on toward Teabing’s hangar in the distance. All the police spun and stared at Edwards. â€Å"I thought you said the pilot agreed to come to the terminal!† Edwards was bewildered. â€Å"He did!† Seconds later, Edwards found himself wedged in a police car racing across the tarmac toward the distant hangar. The convoy of police was still a good five hundred yards away as Teabing’s Hawker taxied calmly into the private hangar and disappeared. When the cars finally arrived and skidded to a stop outside the gaping hangar door, the police poured out, guns drawn. Edwards jumped out too. The noise was deafening. The Hawker’s engines were still roaring as the jet finished its usual rotation inside the hangar, positioning itself nose-out in preparation for later departure. As the plane completed its 180-degreeturn and rolled toward the front of the hangar, Edwards could see the pilot’s face, which understandably looked surprised and fearful to see the barricade of police cars. The pilot brought the plane to a final stop, and powered down the engines. The police streamed in, taking up positions around the jet. Edwards joined the Kent chief inspector, who moved warily toward the hatch. After several seconds, the fuselage door popped open. Leigh Teabing appeared in the doorway as the plane’s electronic stairs smoothly dropped down. Ashe gazed out at the sea of weapons aimed at him, he propped himself on his crutches and scratched his head. â€Å"Simon, did I win the policemen’s lottery while I was away?† He sounded more bewildered than concerned. Simon Edwards stepped forward, swallowing the frog in his throat. â€Å"Good morning, sir. I apologize for the confusion. We’ve had a gas leak and your pilot said he was coming to the terminal.† â€Å"Yes, yes, well, I told him to come here instead. I’m late for an appointment. I pay for this hangar, and this rubbish about avoiding a gas leak sounded overcautious.† â€Å"I’m afraid your arrival has taken us a bit off guard, sir.† â€Å"I know. I’m off my schedule, I am. Between you and me, the new medication gives me the tinkles. Thought I’d come over for a tune-up.† The policemen all exchanged looks. Edwards winced. â€Å"Very good, sir.† â€Å"Sir,† the Kent chief inspector said, stepping forward. â€Å"I need to ask you to stay onboard for another half hour or so.† Teabing looked unamused as he hobbled down the stairs. â€Å"I’m afraid that is impossible. I have a medical appointment.† He reached the tarmac. â€Å"I cannot afford to miss it.† The chief inspector repositioned himself to block Teabing’s progress away from the plane. â€Å"I am here at the orders of the French Judicial Police. They claim you are transporting fugitives from the law on this plane.† Teabing stared at the chief inspector a long moment, and then burst out laughing. â€Å"Is this one of those hidden camera programs? Jolly good!† The chief inspector never flinched. â€Å"This is serious, sir. The French police claim you also may have a hostage onboard.† Teabing’s manservant Remy appeared in the doorway at the top of the stairs. â€Å"I feel like a hostage working for Sir Leigh, but he assures me I am free to go.† Remy checked his watch. â€Å"Master, we really are running late.† He nodded toward the Jaguar stretch limousine in the far corner of the hangar. The enormous automobile was ebony with smoked glass and whitewall tires. â€Å"I’ll bring the car.† Remy started down the stairs. â€Å"I’m afraid we cannot let you leave,† the chief inspector said. â€Å"Please return to your aircraft. Both of you. Representatives from the French police will be landing shortly.† Teabing looked now toward Simon Edwards. â€Å"Simon, for heaven’s sake, this is ridiculous! We don’t have anyone else on board. Just the usual – Remy, our pilot, and myself. Perhaps you could act as an intermediary? Go have a look onboard, and verify that the plane is empty.† Edwards knew he was trapped. â€Å"Yes, sir. I can have a look.† â€Å"The devil you will!† the Kent chief inspector declared, apparently knowing enough about executive airfields to suspect Simon Edwards might well lie about the plane’s occupants in an effort to keep Teabing’s business at Biggin Hill. â€Å"I will look myself.† Teabing shook his head. â€Å"No you won’t, Inspector. This is private property and until you have a search warrant, you will stay off my plane. I am offering you a reasonable option here. Mr. Edwards can perform the inspection.† â€Å"No deal.† Teabing’s demeanor turned frosty. â€Å"Inspector, I’m afraid I don’t have time to indulge in your games. I’m late, and I’m leaving. If it is that important to you to stop me, you’ll just have to shoot me.† With that, Teabing and Remy walked around the chief inspector and headed across the hangar toward the parked limousine. The Kent chief inspector felt only distaste for Leigh Teabing as the man hobbled around him in defiance. Men of privilege always felt like they were above the law. They are not.The chief inspector turned and aimed at Teabing’s back. â€Å"Stop! I will fire!† â€Å"Go ahead,† Teabing said without breaking stride or glancing back. â€Å"My lawyers will fricassee your testicles for breakfast. And if you dare board my plane without a warrant, your spleen will follow.† No stranger to power plays, the chief inspector was unimpressed. Technically, Teabing was correct and the police needed a warrant to board his jet, but because the flight had originated in France, and because the powerful Bezu Fache had given his authority, the Kent chief inspector felt certain his career would be far better served by finding out what it was on this plane that Teabing seemed so intent on hiding. â€Å"Stop them,† the inspector ordered. â€Å"I’m searching the plane.† His men raced over, guns leveled, and physically blocked Teabing and his servant from reaching the limousine. Now Teabing turned. â€Å"Inspector, this is your last warning. Do not even think of boarding that plane. You will regret it.† Ignoring the threat, the chief inspector gripped his sidearm and marched up the plane’s gangway. Arriving at the hatch, he peered inside. After a moment, he stepped into the cabin. What the devil? With the exception of the frightened-looking pilot in the cockpit, the aircraft was empty. Entirely devoid of human life. Quickly checking the bathroom, the chairs, and the luggage areas, the inspector found no traces of anyone hiding†¦ much less multiple individuals. What the hell was Bezu Fache thinking? It seemed Leigh Teabing had been telling the truth. The Kent chief inspector stood alone in the deserted cabin and swallowed hard. Shit.His faceflushed, he stepped back onto the gangway, gazing across the hangar at Leigh Teabing and hisservant, who were now under gunpoint near the limousine. â€Å"Let them go,† the inspector ordered. â€Å"We received a bad tip.† Teabing’s eyes were menacing even across the hangar. â€Å"You can expect a call from my lawyers. And for future reference, the French police cannot be trusted.† With that, Teabing’s manservant opened the door at the rear of the stretch limousine and helped his crippled master into the back seat. Then the servant walked the length of the car, climbed in behind the wheel, and gunned the engine. Policemen scattered as the Jaguar peeled out of the hangar. â€Å"Well played, my good man,† Teabing chimed from the rear seat as the limousine accelerated out of the airport. He turned his eyes now to the dimly lit front recesses of the spacious interior. â€Å"Everyone comfy?† Langdon gave a weak nod. He and Sophie were still crouched on the floor beside the bound and gagged albino. Moments earlier, as the Hawker taxied into the deserted hangar, Remy had popped the hatch as the plane jolted to a stop halfway through its turn. With the police closing in fast, Langdon and Sophie dragged the monk down the gangway to ground level and out of sight behind the limousine. Then the jet engines had roared again, rotating the plane and completing its turn as the police cars came skidding into the hangar. Now, as the limousine raced toward Kent, Langdon and Sophie clambered toward the rear of the limo’s long interior, leaving the monk bound on the floor. They settled onto the long seat facing Teabing. The Brit gave them both a roguish smile and opened the cabinet on the limo’s bar. â€Å"Could I offer you a drink? Some nibblies? Crisps? Nuts? Seltzer?† Sophie and Langdon both shook their heads. Teabing grinned and closed the bar. â€Å"So then, about this knight’s tomb†¦Ã¢â‚¬  CHAPTER 82 â€Å"Fleet Street?† Langdon asked, eyeing Teabing in the back of the limo. There’s a crypt on Fleet Street? So far, Leigh was being playfully cagey about where he thought they would find the â€Å"knight’s tomb†, which, according to the poem, would provide the password for opening the smaller cryptex. Teabing grinned and turned to Sophie. â€Å"Miss Neveu, give the Harvard boy one more shot at the verse, will you?† Sophie fished in her pocket and pulled out the black cryptex, which was wrapped in the vellum. Everyone had decided to leave the rosewood box and larger cryptex behind in the plane’s strongbox, carrying with them only what they needed, the far more portable and discreet black cryptex. Sophie unwrapped the vellum and handed the sheet to Langdon. Although Langdon had read the poem several times onboard the jet, he had been unable to extract any specific location. Now, as he read the words again, he processed them slowly and carefully, hoping the pentametric rhythms would reveal a clearer meaning now that he was on the ground. In London lies a knight a Pope interred. His labor’s fruit a Holy wrath incurred. You seek the orb that ought be on his tomb. It speaks of Rosy flesh and seeded womb. The language seemed simple enough. There was a knight buried in London. A knight who labored at something that angered the Church. A knight whose tomb was missing an orb that should be present. The poem’s final reference – Rosy flesh and seeded womb – was a clear allusion to Mary Magdalene, the Rose who bore the seed of Jesus. Despite the apparent straightforwardness of the verse, Langdon still had no idea who this knight was or where he was buried. Moreover, once they located the tomb, it sounded as if they would be searching for something that was absent. The orb that ought be on his tomb? â€Å"No thoughts?† Teabing clucked in disappointment, although Langdon sensed the Royal Historian was enjoying being one up. â€Å"Miss Neveu?† She shook her head. â€Å"What would you two do without me?† Teabing said. â€Å"Very well, I will walk you through it. It’s quite simple really. The first line is the key. Would you read it please?† Langdon read aloud. † ‘In London lies a knight a Pope interred. ‘† â€Å"Precisely. A knight a Pope interred.† He eyed Langdon. â€Å"What does that mean to you?† Langdon shrugged. â€Å"A knight buried by a Pope? A knight whose funeral was presided over by a Pope?† Teabing laughed loudly. â€Å"Oh, that’s rich. Always the optimist, Robert. Look at the second line. This knight obviously did something that incurred the Holy wrath of the Church. Think again. Consider the dynamic between the Church and the Knights Templar. A knight a Pope interred?† â€Å"A knight a Pope killed?† Sophie asked. Teabing smiled and patted her knee. â€Å"Well done, my dear. A knight a Pope buried.Or killed.† Langdon thought of the notorious Templar round-up in 1307 – unlucky Friday the thirteenth – when Pope Clement killed and interred hundreds of Knights Templar. â€Å"But there must be endless graves of ‘knights killed by Popes. ‘† â€Å"Aha, not so!† Teabing said. â€Å"Many of them were burned at the stake and tossed unceremoniously into the Tiber River. But this poem refers to a tomb.A tomb in London. And there are few knights buried in London.† He paused, eyeing Langdon as if waiting for light to dawn. Finally he huffed. â€Å"Robert, for heaven’s sake! The church built in London by the Priory’s military arm – the Knights Templar themselves!† â€Å"The Temple Church?† Langdon drew a startled breath. â€Å"It has a crypt?† â€Å"Ten of the most frightening tombs you will ever see.† Langdon had never actually visited the Temple Church, although he’d come across numerous references in his Priory research. Once the epicenter of all Templar/Priory activities in the United Kingdom, the Temple Church had been so named in honor of Solomon’s Temple, from which the Knights Templar had extracted their own title, as well as the Sangreal documents that gave them all their influence in Rome. Tales abounded of knights performing strange, secretive rituals within the Temple Church’s unusual sanctuary. â€Å"The Temple Church is on Fleet Street?† â€Å"Actually, it’s just off Fleet Street on Inner Temple Lane.† Teabing looked mischievous. â€Å"I wanted to see you sweat a little more before I gave it away.† â€Å"Thanks.† â€Å"Neither of you has ever been there?† Sophie and Langdon shook their heads.† I’m not surprised,† Teabing said. â€Å"The church is hidden now behind much larger buildings. Few people even know it’s there. Eerie old place. The architecture is pagan to the core.† Sophie looked surprised. â€Å"Pagan?† â€Å"Pantheonically pagan!† Teabing exclaimed. â€Å"The church is round.The Templars ignored the traditional Christian cruciform layout and built a perfectly circular church in honor of the sun.† His eyebrows did a devilish dance. â€Å"A not so subtle howdy-do to the boys in Rome. They might as well have resurrected Stonehenge in downtown London.† Sophie eyed Teabing. â€Å"What about the rest of the poem?† The historian’s mirthful air faded. â€Å"I’m not sure. It’s puzzling. We will need to examine each of the ten tombs carefully. With luck, one of them will have a conspicuously absent orb.† Langdon realized how close they really were. If the missing orb revealed the password, they would be able to open the second cryptex. He had a hard time imagining what they might find inside. Langdon eyed the poem again. It was like some kind of primordial crossword puzzle. A five-letter word that speaks of the Grail? On the plane, they had already tried all the obvious passwords – GRAIL, GRAAL, GREAL, VENUS, MARIA, JESUS, SARAH – but the cylinder had not budged. Far too obvious.Apparently there existed some other five-letter reference to the Rose’s seeded womb. The fact that the word was eluding a specialist like Leigh Teabing signified to Langdon that it was no ordinary Grail reference. â€Å"Sir Leigh?† Remy called over his shoulder. He was watching them in the rearview mirror through the open divider. â€Å"You said Fleet Street is near Blackfriars Bridge?† â€Å"Yes, take Victoria Embankment.† â€Å"I’m sorry. I’m not sure where that is. We usually go only to the hospital.† Teabing rolled his eyes at Langdon and Sophie and grumbled,† I swear, sometimes it’s like baby- sitting a child. One moment please. Help yourself to a drink and savory snacks.† He left them, clambering awkwardly toward the open divider to talk to Remy. Sophie turned to Langdon now, her voice quiet. â€Å"Robert, nobody knows you and I are in England.† Langdon realized she was right. The Kent police would tell Fache the plane was empty, and Fachewould have to assume they were still in France. We are invisible.Leigh’s little stunt had just boughtthem a lot of time. â€Å"Fache will not give up easily,† Sophie said. â€Å"He has too much riding on this arrest now.† Langdon had been trying not to think about Fache. Sophie had promised she would do everything in her power to exonerate Langdon once this was over, but Langdon was starting to fear it might not matter. Fache could easily be pan of this plot.Although Langdon could not imagine the Judicial Police tangled up in the Holy Grail, he sensed too much coincidence tonight to disregard Fache as a possible accomplice. Fache is religions, and he is intent on pinning these murders onme.Then again, Sophie had argued that Fache might simply be overzealous to make the arrest. After all, the evidence against Langdon was substantial. In addition to Langdon’s name scrawled on the Louvre floor and in Sauniere’s date book, Langdon now appeared to have lied about his manuscript and then run away. At Sophie’s suggestion. â€Å"Robert, I’m sorry you’re so deeply involved,† Sophie said, placing her hand on his knee. â€Å"But I’m very glad you’re here.† The comment sounded more pragmatic than romantic, and yet Langdon felt an unexpected flicker of attraction between them. He gave her a tired smile. â€Å"I’m a lot more fun when I’ve slept.† Sophie was silent for several seconds. â€Å"My grandfather asked me to trust you. I’m glad I listened to him for once.† â€Å"Your grandfather didn’t even know me.† â€Å"Even so, I can’t help but think you’ve done everything he would have wanted. You helped me find the keystone, explained the Sangreal, told me about the ritual in the basement.† She paused. â€Å"Somehow I feel closer to my grandfather tonight than I have in years. I know he would be happy about that.† In the distance, now, the skyline of London began to materialize through the dawn drizzle. Once dominated by Big Ben and Tower Bridge, the horizon now bowed to the Millennium Eye – a colossal, ultramodern Ferris wheel that climbed five hundred feet and afforded breathtaking views of the city. Langdon had attempted to board it once, but the† viewing capsules† reminded him of sealed sarcophagi, and he opted to keep his feet on the ground and enjoy the view from the airy banks of the Thames. Langdon felt a squeeze on his knee, pulling him back, and Sophie’s green eyes were on him. He realized she had been speaking to him. â€Å"What do you think we should do with the Sangreal documents if we ever find them?† she whispered. â€Å"What I think is immaterial,† Langdon said. â€Å"Your grandfather gave the cryptex to you, and you should do with it what your instinct tells you he would want done.† â€Å"I’m asking for your opinion. You obviously wrote something in that manuscript that made my grandfather trust your judgment. He scheduled a private meeting with you. That’s rare.† â€Å"Maybe he wanted to tell me I have it all wrong.† â€Å"Why would he tell me to find you unless he liked your ideas? In your manuscript, did you support the idea that the Sangreal documents should be revealed or stay buried?† â€Å"Neither. I made no judgment either way. The manuscript deals with the symbology of the sacred feminine – tracing her iconography throughout history. I certainly didn’t presume to know where the Grail is hidden or whether it should ever be revealed.† â€Å"And yet you’re writing a book about it, so you obviously feel the information should be shared.† â€Å"There’s an enormous difference between hypothetically discussing an alternate history of Christ, and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused. â€Å"And what?† â€Å"And presenting to the world thousands of ancient documents as scientific evidence that the New Testament is false testimony.† â€Å"But you told me the New Testament is based on fabrications.† Langdon smiled. â€Å"Sophie, every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith – acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove. Every religion describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration, from the early Egyptians through modern Sunday school. Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problems arise when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors.† â€Å"So you are in favor of the Sangreal documents staying buried forever?† â€Å"I’m a historian. I’m opposed to the destruction of documents, and I would love to see religious scholars have more information to ponder the exceptional life of Jesus Christ.† â€Å"You’re arguing both sides of my question.† â€Å"Am I? The Bible represents a fundamental guidepost for millions of people on the planet, in much the same way the Koran, Torah, and Pali Canon offer guidance to people of other religions. If you and I could dig up documentation that contradicted the holy stories of Islamic belief, Judaic belief, Buddhist belief, pagan belief, should we do that? Should we wave a flag and tell the Buddhists that we have proof the Buddha did not come from a lotus blossom? Or that Jesus was not born of a literal virgin birth? Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical.† Sophie looked skeptical. â€Å"My friends who are devout Christians definitely believe that Christ literallywalked on water, literally turned water into wine, and was born of a literal virgin birth.† â€Å"My point exactly,† Langdon said. â€Å"Religious allegory has become a part of the fabric of reality. And living in that reality helps millions of people cope and be better people.† â€Å"But it appears their reality is false.† Langdon chuckled. â€Å"No more false than that of a mathematical cryptographer who believes in the imaginary number ‘i’because it helps her break codes.† Sophie frowned. â€Å"That’s not fair.† A moment passed.† What was your question again?† Langdon asked. â€Å"I can’t remember.† He smiled. â€Å"Works every time.† CHAPTER 83 Langdon’s Mickey Mouse wristwatch read almost seven-thirty when he emerged from the Jaguar limousine onto Inner Temple Lane with Sophie and Teabing. The threesome wound through a maze of buildings to a small courtyard outside the Temple Church. The rough-hewn stone shimmered in the rain, and doves cooed in the architecture overhead. London’s ancient Temple Church was constructed entirely of Caen stone. A dramatic, circular edifice with a daunting facade, a central turret, and a protruding nave off one side, the church looked more like a military stronghold than a place of worship. Consecrated on the tenth of February in 1185 by Heraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Temple Church survived eight centuries of political turmoil, the Great Fire of London, and the First World War, only to be heavily damaged by Luftwaffe incendiary bombs in 1940. After the war, it was restored to its original, stark grandeur. The simplicity of the circle, Langdon thought, admiring the building for the first time. The architecture was coarse and simple, more reminiscent of Rome’s rugged Castel Sant’Angelo than the refined Pantheon. The boxy annex jutting out to the right was an unfortunate eyesore, although it did little to shroud the original pagan shape of the primary structure. â€Å"It’s early on a Saturday,† Teabing said, hobbling toward the entrance,† so I’m assuming we won’t have services to deal with.† The church’s entryway was a recessed stone niche inside which stood a large wooden door. To the left of the door, looking entirely out of place, hung a bulletin board covered with concert schedules and religious service announcements. Teabing frowned as he read the board. â€Å"They don’t open to sightseers for another couple of hours.† He moved to the door and tried it. The door didn’t budge. Putting his ear to the wood, he listened. After a moment, he pulled back, a scheming look on his face as he pointed to the bulletin board. â€Å"Robert, check the service schedule, will you? Who is presiding this week?† Inside the church, an altar boy was almost finished vacuuming the communion kneelers when he heard a knocking on the sanctuary door. He ignored it. Father Harvey Knowles had his own keys and was not due for another couple of hours. The knocking was probably a curious tourist or indigent. The altar boy kept vacuuming, but the knocking continued. Can’t you read? The sign on the door clearly stated that the church did not open until nine-thirty on Saturday. The altar boy remained with his chores. Suddenly, the knocking turned to a forceful banging, as if someone were hitting the door with a metal rod. The young man switched off his vacuum cleaner and marched angrily toward the door. Unlatching it from within, he swung it open. Three people stood in the entryway. Tourists, he grumbled. â€Å"We open at nine-thirty.† The heavyset man, apparently the leader, stepped forward using metal crutches. â€Å"I am Sir Leigh Teabing,† he said, his accent a highbrow, Saxonesque British. â€Å"As you are no doubt aware, I am escorting Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Wren the Fourth.† He stepped aside, flourishing his arm toward the attractive couple behind them. The woman was soft-featured, with lush burgundy hair. The man was tall, dark-haired, and looked vaguely familiar. The altar boy had no idea how to respond. Sir Christopher Wren was the Temple Church’s most famous benefactor. He had made possible all the restorations following damage caused by the Great Fire. He had also been dead since the early eighteenth century. â€Å"Um†¦ an honor to meet you?† The man on crutches frowned. â€Å"Good thing you’re not in sales, young man, you’re not very convincing. Where is Father Knowles?† â€Å"It’s Saturday. He’s not due in until later.† The crippled man’s scowl deepened. â€Å"There’s gratitude. He assured us he would be here, but it looks like we’ll do it without him. It won’t take long.† The altar boy remained blocking the doorway. â€Å"I’m sorry, what won’t take long?† The visitor’s eyes sharpened now, and he leaned forward whispering as if to save everyone some embarrassment. â€Å"Young man, apparently you are new here. Every year Sir Christopher Wren’s descendants bring a pinch of the old man’s ashes to scatter in the Temple sanctuary. It is part of his last will and testament. Nobody is particularly happy about making the trip, but what can we do?† The altar boy had been here a couple of years but had never heard of this custom. â€Å"It would be better if you waited until nine-thirty. The church isn’t open yet, and I’m not finished hoovering.† The man on crutches glared angrily. â€Å"Young man, the only reason there’s anything left of this building for you to hoover is on account of the gentleman in that woman’s pocket.† â€Å"I’m sorry?† â€Å"Mrs. Wren,† the man on crutches said,† would you be so kind as to show this impertinent young man the reliquary of ashes?† The woman hesitated a moment and then, as if awaking from a trance, reached in her sweater pocket and pulled out a small cylinder wrapped in protective fabric. â€Å"There, you see?† the man on crutches snapped. â€Å"Now, you can either grant his dying wish and let us sprinkle his ashes in the sanctuary, or I tell Father Knowles how we’ve been treated.† The altar boy hesitated, well acquainted with Father Knowles’ deep observance of church tradition†¦ and, more importantly, with his foul temper when anything cast this time-honored shrine in anything but favorable light. Maybe Father Knowles had simply forgotten these family members were coming. If so, then there was far more risk in turning them away than in letting them in. After all, they said it would only take a minute.What harm could it do? When the altar boy stepped aside to let the three people pass, he could have sworn Mr. and Mrs. Wren looked just as bewildered by all of this as he was. Uncertain, the boy returned to his chores, watching them out of the corner of his eye. Langdon had to smile as the threesome moved deeper into the church. â€Å"Leigh,† he whispered,† you lie entirely too well.† Teabing’s eyes twinkled. â€Å"Oxford Theatre Club. They still talk of my Julius Caesar. I’m certain nobody has ever performed the first scene of Act Three with more dedication.† Langdon glanced over. â€Å"I thought Caesar was dead in that scene.† Teabing smirked. â€Å"Yes, but my toga tore open when I fell, and I had to lie on stage for half an hour with my todger hanging out. Even so, I never moved a muscle. I was brilliant, I tell you.† Langdon cringed. Sorry I missed it. As the group moved through the rectangular annex toward the archway leading into the main church, Langdon was surprised by the barren austerity. Although the altar layout resembled that of a linear Christian chapel, the furnishings were stark and cold, bearing none of the traditional ornamentation. â€Å"Bleak,† he whispered. Teabing chuckled. â€Å"Church of England. Anglicans drink their religion straight. Nothing to distract from their misery.† Sophie motioned through the vast opening that gave way to the circular section of the church. â€Å"It looks like a fortress in there,† she whispered. Langdon agreed. Even from here, the walls looked unusually robust. â€Å"The Knights Templar were warriors,† Teabing reminded, the sound of his aluminum crutches echoing in this reverberant space. â€Å"A religio-military society. Their churches were their strongholds and their banks.† â€Å"Banks?† Sophie asked, glancing at Leigh. â€Å"Heavens, yes. The Templars invented the concept of modern banking. For European nobility, traveling with gold was perilous, so the Templars allowed nobles to deposit gold in their nearest Temple Church and then draw it from any other Temple Church across Europe. All they needed was proper documentation.† He winked. â€Å"And a small commission. They were the original ATMs.† Teabing pointed toward a stained-glass window where the breaking sun was refracting through a white-clad knight riding a rose-colored horse. â€Å"Alanus Marcel,† Teabing said,† Master of the Temple in the early twelve hundreds. He and his successors actually held the Parliamentary chair of Primus Baro Angiae.† Langdon was surprised. â€Å"First Baron of the Realm?† Teabing nodded. â€Å"The Master of the Temple, some claim, held more influence than the king himself.† As they arrived outside the circular chamber, Teabing shot a glance over his shoulder at the altar boy, who was vacuuming in the distance. â€Å"You know,† Teabing whispered to Sophie,† the Holy Grail is said to once have been stored in this church overnight while the Templars moved it from one hiding place to another. Can you imagine the four chests of Sangreal documents sitting right here with Mary Magdalene’s sarcophagus? It gives me gooseflesh.† Langdon was feeling gooseflesh too as they stepped into the circular chamber. His eye traced the curvature of the chamber’s pale stone perimeter, taking in the carvings of gargoyles, demons, monsters, and pained human faces, all staring inward. Beneath the carvings, a single stone pew curled around the entire circumference of the room. â€Å"Theater in the round,† Langdon whispered. Teabing raised a crutch, pointing toward the far left of the room and then to the far right. Langdon had already seen them. Ten stone knights. Five on the left. Five on the right. Lying prone on the floor, the carved, life-sized figures rested in peaceful poses. The knights were depicted wearing full armor, shields, and swords, and the tombs gave Langdon the uneasy sensation that someone had snuck in and poured plaster over the knights while they were sleeping. All of the figures were deeply weathered, and yet each was clearly unique – different armory pieces, distinct leg and arm positions, facial features, and markings on their shields. In London lies a knight a Pope interred. Langdon felt shaky as he inched deeper into the circular room. This had to be the place. How to cite The Da Vinci Code Chapter 81-83, Essay examples