As a Christian icon, it is akin of the artistic style of the late Middle Ages. In the Christian religion, the cross represents the triumph of life over death. There was a tendency in this period to glorify the shape of a cross to illustrate this point.

It is also a matter of interest that in all the world's religions, the "holy cross" is actually a representation of an execution device. No other religion uses an instrument of death as a religious icon.

According to the records available, some of which are quite a mystery, this cross may have been large, about 18 inches across and over 2 feet high. As such it would be impractical as personal adornment, such as a cross necklace. The design, attributed to the Knights Templar, is unique, quite different from the Maltese cross sometimes attributed as a symbol of that order of warrior monks.

A close examination of this Christian icon provides some interesting clues about its possible purpose.

This particular cross, as a religious icon, seems to stretch the bounds of restraint and good taste, given over almost entirely to elaborate decoration and precious materials. It is made primarily of beaten gold, not the red coloration typical of the Maltese cross. Because of the metal, even if this cross were a small enough religious icon to be used as a cross necklace, it would probably have been quite heavy, and may even have been meant to be worn by a male, such as the Grand Master.

It is curious about the reported size of the object -- it's another mystery which has baffled generations as to its exact dimensions. If it was much smaller (and there are rumors about this) it would be appropriate as personal adornment or a symbol of power, something that was important at the time when there were no newspapers or photographs to inform people of the appearance of dignitaries. This might have been a symbol of high office.

It was common among the nobility from the time of the Middle Ages onward to adorn themselves with some sort of representation of the Christian cross. By the time of Regency England, with the many sects of Christianity, the Christian cross was represented differently.

Catholics and some Anglicans could wear a more detailed holy cross which had a figure of Christ on it. This is called a "crucifix". Members of Protestant sects, wishing to downplay idolatry, would more typically wear a simple holy cross with no figure, although it might be adorned with precious gems, as this religious icon appears to be. This has led to some experts questioning the actual date of the Cross of Ramplet and its authenticity as a treasure of the Knights Templar.

Although the Cross of Ramplet is reported to date from before the 13th century, the exact time of its origin remains a mystery. This cross, as a Catholic Christian icon, breaks with tradition -- unusual for the time, even for the Knights Templar, who certainly had enough power to do so.

Instead of the body of Christ (as in the crucifix), we see a jeweled heart pierced by four swords. Obviously, this represents the heart of Christ which was pierced by a spear during the crucifixion.

It has been conjectured that the four swords represent the four points of the compass, and they mean that the sins of all mankind have pierced the heart of Christ.

However, some have speculated that this was really one of the Knights Templar secret symbols and meant that they had power in all four corners of the Earth.  As a secret society, the Knights Templar were known to have used special symbols -- such as the famous "two knights on a horse" statue seen in Scotland-- which only adds to the mystery.

It is impossible to know for certain about the meaning of the Cross of Ramplet until more records are found. The symbolism of a Christian icon can be very complex. Often, only the artist can explain it, and sometimes, it contains secret messages or "keys". In the case of this holy cross, it was probably a complete mystery to all except a privileged chosen few members of the Knights Templar. One has to admire their ingenuity. Where better to hide a secret than in plain sight? Of course, one must ask, what was the secret the Knights Templar were concealing in this religious icon? Was it a key of some kind? Did it lead to some secret location? Did it show the location of secret documents? Many a treasure hunt has been initiated over the years based on these speculated possibilities.

Some researchers feel that the Knights Templar Cross of Ramplet was designed only as a large religious icon to be used in special services. It might possibly have been mounted on a staff and used in a procession. This is more consistent with normal religious practice.

Such Christian icons are still in common use today, especially in "Catholic" countries (nations where Catholicism is the predominant religion.) There are many films and videos of religious feast days where the population of an entire village follows in a grand procession behind a large holy cross held high on a staff. The symbolism is obvious, the cross is the Christian icon of triumph, it leads the faithful to paradise.

The encrustation of precious gems, the adornment of platinum decorations on the four points of the Cross of Ramplet most probably are symbols of power, not uncommon in early Christian icons. In the Middle Ages, the church held vast political power which it often demonstrated. The elaborate and beautiful Gothic cathedrals and other religious items of the time show this clearly. But we do not know for sure about the Cross of Ramplet because the Knights Templar was a secret organization, engulfed in mystery, and most of their records have been either lost or destroyed.

Records of the Throckmorton family of Regency England hint at some discoveries about this holy cross, yet details are vague and add to the mystery. Although the Knights Templar spent many years in the Middle East and must have learned some of that culture, their faith would demand that any religious decoration they use would be only for a Christian icon. The Throckmorton records do not discuss this, but focus on possible locations of the item, which led to more than one treasure hunt for it in the early 19th century.

Some specialists think it is possible that the Cross of Ramplet had high significance and smaller versions of this peculiar cross were also made as a cross necklace, possibly worn by some Knights Templar, or given as medals or awards for bravery, etc. Again, the records are extremely vague about this, so most of this information still remains a mystery.

The Throckmorton family records do mention the mysterious Amulet of Adhara, a small silver holy cross that was worn by one of the members of the family. This particular item was reported to have been uncovered in a treasure hunt in the sea cliff caves of the Village of Porsur, England, in the early 19th century. It is not fully understood what connection, if any, the Amulet had to the Cross of Ramplet. However, this religious icon was shaped like the Maltese Cross, which is sometimes associated with the Knights Templar. This may have led some to believe it was connected in the Cross of Ramplet mystery, a conjecture further supported by the discovery that the Amulet was covered with enigmatic inscriptions.

Most agree that the Cross of Ramplet is a mystery wrapped in an enigma surrounded by a conundrum.

If one looks back on the period, it seems that only the records of the Throckmorton family of Regency England make any serious reference to it, and these records end abruptly with a vague reference to a planned treasure hunt to be conducted in the region. It is known that various members of the family at the time conducted an extensive search for the holy cross.

At most, the connection of these two religious icons is vague, and the member of the family who wore the Amulet of Adhara, Darla Throckmorton, was rumored to be insane. Psychology was extremely primitive at the time of Regency England, so it is possible that she was merely eccentric and wore the Amulet as an outward manifestation of her own fantasies. Some specialists conjecture that it was she who started the tales of a connection between the Amulet of Adhara and the much contemplated Cross of Ramplet mystery.

The mystery surrounding the Cross of Ramplet deepens when church and village records of the time are examined, and the mystery further deepens when one reads the records of the Church of the Holy Trinity itself. These make no reference to the church receiving as a gift, or in any other way holding possession of the holy Cross of Ramplet. Yet, according to some private journals that have survived from the time of Regency England, the Cross of Ramplet actually was displayed, if inappropriately, in that Anglican church for a short time.

The mystery here has to do with religious differences. The Anglican church derives from Catholicism, so it is not unusual that they would share similar styles of Christian icons. But a purely Catholic Christian cross did not belong in an Anglican Church, and would be rejected as possible "papery". The history of Anglicanism shows a marked break from "roman influence" and papery. The idea that an Anglican church would thus display a Catholic religious icon seems ludicrous, and possibly blasphemous. It is known that the church was struck by lightning shortly after the Cross of Ramplet was put on display.

However, it cannot be verified that it was an "act of God" that made lightning strike the church steeple and destroy the roof of the building. Only legend claims that this was some type of supernatural occurrence. More than likely, it was either a natural occurrence, or an act of vandalism. At the time, the seacoast Village of Portsur (seat of Throckmorton manor and Holy Trinity Church) was beset by pirates and vandals.

What is known is that the village priest did disappear immediately after the event, and when searching through the debris, none of the authorities at the time could find the Cross of Ramplet, which sparked another treasure hunt.

Thus, the Cross of Ramplet has been lost to history or hidden away in mystery, a treasure waiting to be found -- even in the 21st century-- and no doubt many a treasure hunt for this artifact will ensue in generations to come. Perhaps one will succeed and solve the great mystery of the Cross of Ramplet.

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