Restructing & Updating

The Misty Flats is undergoing restructuring. The sections on Karen Silkwood and Rennes-Le-Château have been broken out into their own individual Blogs. They can now be found at the found at the following locations:

Rennes-Le-Château
https://agreatcircle.wordpress.com/

Karen Silkwood
https://thingsboundtogether.wordpress.com/

The reason for breaking these two sections out into their own Blogs is that significant research has been done on both topics over many years. It would be hard not to overshadow the other sections on this Blog if these topics were included here. Also, the amount of research done on both topics is deserving of its own dedicated Blog. This site will continue with its original theme and the following topics:

Legendary History
The Knights Templar
The Holy Grail

Lost In Time
The Lost Temple Treasures
The Lost Ark

Architectural Wonders
Stone Circles

Cryptozoology
Lake Monster Legends

Paranormal Phenomenon 
Time Slips

Posts related to Rennes-Le-Château and Karen Silkwood will be removed from this Blog and relocated to their new Blogs. I hope you will continue to visit and participate in all three Blogs.

Comments

Earlier today someone posted a link underneath one of my topic introductions. There was no commentary, no feedback about my site, no attempt to join in the conversation. There was just a link to another site. I will moderate this blog. I will remove comments that are negative or irrelevant. I will not become a host site or pass-thru mechanism for other URLs. If I find a site or blog that I feel is relevant I will link to it. That is my policy regarding links to other blogs and sites. I want to state it clearly for the record. Thanks and please join in the conversation.

My Approach to Research

When I identify a subject I want to research for the Misty Flats the first thing I do is reach for a book. I always began with a tertiary source on the topic of interest. For some of the subjects I’ve listed there are no tertiary sources. In this case I make do with the best possible source I can find. The tertiary source gives me an introduction to the topic, and can help me identify additional sources (primary and secondary) and narrow my focus into a thesis statement.

If you are new to researching and writing and some of these terms are new to you, I will shortly be adding a writing tools page with helpful tips and links for writers of all stages.

Knights Templar

This religious order was originally formed to safeguard pilgrims making their way to Holy Land. It was a new kind of religious order…warrior-monks. It did not fall under the hierarchy of the Catholic Church but reported directly to the Pope. In time, the Knights Templar became the figureheads for the Crusades. They also became the foremost bankers of their day. If traveling on Crusade you could deposit your funds with a motherhouse in England and withdraw them on the other side of the ocean when you arrived in the Middle East. The Knights Templar counseled and funded Kings. They amassed great lands and wealth. An animosity grew between the Knights Templar and the Catholic Church. The Knights Templar grew arrogant with their success. Ultimately, the crusades ended and the Knights Templar no longer had a purpose. As they struggled to find a new way, Phillip of France colluded with the Pope to have them falsely convicted of heresy. Their order was disbanded and the majority of their members were tortured and executed. The Knights Templar are simply fascinating to me on many levels. They tend to be portrayed incorrectly in today’s fiction and pop culture. There are many ways and places to go with research of this order. I haven’t picked a focus yet. First, let’s see what is legit and out there from the scholarly world. Then I will better know where I can potentially make a contribution to this field of research.

Lost Temple Treasures

The siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE was the decisive event of the first Jewish-Roman war. The Roman army led by the future Emperor Titus, conquered the city of Jerusalem. The siege ended with the sacking of the city and the destruction of its famous Second Temple. Many treasures were taken from the Temple by the Romans, before it was destroyed. What became of these artifacts? Where are they today?

Time Slips

A time slip is an alleged paranormal phenomenon in which a person, or group of people, travel through time via unknown means. I find this idea intriguing although it requires the utmost suspension of disbelief in order to accept it. I think all of us on some level are intrigued by the idea of time travel. Certainly, I am no exception. When I accidentally stumbled across this theory researching something else, I decided to add it to the Misty Flats list. Can one justify such a theory, from the perspective of Physics? Can one form a valid scientific hypothesis to support this theory based on modern Physics? That is intent of this topic.

Lake Monster Legends

The majority of us have heard of the Loch Ness Monster. If you have done any reading into the phenomenon surrounding the Loch Ness Monster, you you have heard whispers or rumors of other Lake Monster Legends. This is essence of what intrigues me. Not the possibility of a “lake monster” living somewhere in the world, but that in multiple places throughout the world Lake Monster Legends have evolved along similar lines. Is there a common causality for these Legends? Perhaps an anthropological approach to the study of these Legends bring will new insights to old mysteries?

Stone Circles

I don’t know why they fascinate me, but they do. Perhaps the most well known Stone Circle is Stonehenge. A large number of Stone Circles are located in Europe. None are located in what is now the United States of America. What was their purpose? Were they ancient observatories? Were they ancient burial sites? Why are they limited to certain geographical locations in the world?Who were the builders of the stone circles? What secrets do they hold? What can the stone circles teach us today?

The Lost Ark

The Ark of the Covenant was a chest (described in the book of Exodus) which contained the Ten Commandments. The Ark also contained other artifacts such as Aaron’s rod and a jar of manna. The Presence of the Lord dwelt above the Ark on the Mercy Seat and the Israelites were forbidden to touch the Ark, lest they die. The Ark disappeared from known history around the time of the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon (586 BCE). The Ark has developed a following in pop culture. Countless movies and books have devoted themselves to the topic of questing-to-find-the-lost-ark. While Christians will tell you that the Ark isn’t lost, more adventuresome folks will tell you the Ark will most likely be found in Tanis, Mount Nebo, Ethiopia, or among the Lemba people of South Africa. Where is the Ark of the Covenant now, in the 21st century? Can it be located?

The Holy Grail

The concept of the Holy Grail was introduced in the late 12th century by Chrétien de Troyes in his work of literature, “Perceval, le Conte du Graal”. Since it’s introduction in literature, the Holy Grail has been expanded upon by other authors. Somewhere along the line a sense of legend developed around the Holy Grail. It has also become associated with other areas of research such as Arthurian Legend and the Knights Templar. Some believe that the Holy Grail was the cup used by Christ at the last supper with his disciples. Others believe that the Holy Grail is an allegory for a bloodline descended from Christ and Mary Magdalen which allegedly thrives today. Whatever the truth of the Holy Grail, it is a fascinating legend which presents many areas of research for those who choose to learn more about it.