previous
next
up

600th
Celebration
News

for
the 		Prince Henry
Sinclair
Anniversary
In Memorium
Pete Cummings
To promote recognition of Henry Sinclair, 14th Century explorer of North America, and to celebrate the 600th anniversary in 1998

September 15, 1996 Issue

 Published by Prince Henry Project Committee
65 Hartwell Street, West Boylston, MA, 01583, USA
Phone: 508-835-2900 Fax: 508-835-2944 E-Mail: henry1398@aol.com
HTML by John S. Quarterman

Get it out of the box!

The "best kept secret" is still "in the box." How can we get the story of the Sinclair expedition of 1398 to a greater number of people? So far, only a few persons are aware of Prince Henry's exploration.

Physical Symbols

Many organizations are planning to erect some sort of marker in memory of Prince Henry. They all feel it is important to create some physical symbols. Here are a few ideas which are being implemented:
Casting of the Knight
The Westford Knight Committee is building an attractive housing around the full-sized casting of the Westford Knight. It will be side-lit to make the punched holes more visible.
Statue and Park
A large statue of Prince Henry, Antonio Zeno, and the Micmac chief and his wife, is contemplated by the Prince Henry Sinclair Society. Negotiations are continuing now with the Provincial authorities, initiated by D'Elayne Coleman, president of the Prince Henry Sinclair Society.
Highway Markings
Allen Tamsette of the Glooscap Trail Development Partnership in Nova Scotia has developed plans to mark the highways from Amherst to Windsor with explanatory signs, referring to Prince Henry.
Billboards
On the shores of Chignecto Park in Advocate, NS, Tom Young, a Resource Consultant has been hired to design informational billboard and plaques. Some signs will mention the Sinclair expedition of 1398.
Cairn
Clans Sinclair and Gunn have pledged to construct a traditional Cairn in Westford. This would be a large pile of stones, artistically arranged and bearing a bronze plaque.

Model of Ship Gets Enthusiastic Welcome

During the summer, the 45" long Model of "The Henry St. Clair" has been busy at work, catching public attention. Starting off at the Maritime Museum in Newburyport MA, it then went to The Age of Sail Museum in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. Next it moved to the Guysborough Historical Museum, followed by the Maritime Museum in Halifax. It is now drawing attention at the J. V. Fletcher Library and the Westford Historical Museum in Westford MA.

Children Get Involved

In Nova Scotia, a minister by the name of Rev. David Clisling has focused his teaching process upon Prince Henry's influence upon his congregation. The Advocate Times published an article entitled, "County ponders explorer's visit". Quoting from this article, "Residents of this Cumberland County village find it intriguing that Prince Henry Sinclair of Orkney could have landed on their shoreline in 1398, almost a century before Christopher Columbus arrived .... And if he is the first explorer to arrive on the continent, that's very significant from a religious point of view because he probably brought Christianity here." Rev. Chisling has suggested that it is very possible that the first Christmas in America was celebrated in their town of Advocate, where Prince Henry built at least one ship for his return voyage. With this background, Rev Chisling is teaching the Prince Henry saga and is training the youth in his church to be tour guides for the forthcoming 600th celebration.

Another way you can arouse the interest of children is to let them read the small booklet of "Wee Sinclair Legends". It is 20 pages in large sized print, written for beginning readers. Short chapters deal with the voyage, castles, and ancestry.

ACTION
Copies of "Wee Legends" are available for $10. Write PO Box 158, Worcester, MA, 01613. Other informative literature is obtainable also.
ACTION
See our Internet Web Page at <URL:http://www.netcom.com/~jolin/600.html>
ACTION
See our newer Internet Web Page at <URL:http://www.mids.org/sinclair/>

Thanks, new Bronze Members!

Many people have sent us $40 to support our printing and postage costs. Each person received an attractive certificate and an informative article about Prince Henry. Of course they are assured to be kept informed of 600th activities. If you have not become a Bronze Member, please send your check for $40 today to PO Box 150, Worcester, MA, 01613. Thank you!

News from NW Coast

The Summer issue of the newsletter "Clan Sinclair - Upper Left Coast", included a very informative article about the 600th celebration. It recognizes the active role being taken by Laurel Fechner, who is hosting the NW 600th Celebration Committee; Laurel is also active making illustrated presentations about Prince Henry. Steven M. Sinclair, the author of "Clan Sinclair - Upper Left Coast" urges more people to become active in educating others about Prince Henry, and to write letter to such public media as National Geographic Magazine, Public Radio Broadcasting, and local school superintendents. He also encourages people to contribute to the "St. Clair Voyage" newsletter fund.

Promotional Opportunities

As the date for the 600th anniversary approaches, enterprising businesses are latching on to the Prince Henry Sinclair theme. We believe this is a good thing for them, and it certainly should be welcomed by the rest of us. The more people who become aware of the 1398 expedition to America, the greater will become its impact in the world. Let's not hide in the shade any longer!

One such business is Spencer Island Fruit and Honey Company in Nova Scotia. Their Bob Noreen Kimber is planning on labeling one of his fruit and honey spreads with "Prince Henry."

History Review

Read and tell others . . .

Preparations for the Voyage

Prince Henry commissioned Antonio and Nicolo Zeno, the brothers of Carlo Zeno "the Lion" of Venice, to draw a map of the north Atlantic region. The resulting "Zeno Map" was so accurate that sailors of all nations used it for the next 300 years. Recently the military aerial photographic maps have found thirty-seven points of identity with the Zeno Map! In addition, Sinclair reassigned some of his land holdings to his brothers, in case he should not return from this dangerous voyage.

The Actual Expedition

In 1398, Prince Henry set sail with 200-300 men in twelve tiny ships. Antonio Zeno was the navigator and recorder of the fleet's log, which is called the "Zeno Narratives." The voyage took the explorers to Faeroes, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and to New England. They had harmonious contacts with the Micmac Indians throughout at least one year. Several archaeological artifacts remain to validate their miraculous adventure. They are the Zeno Narratives and Zeno Map, a Venician cannon in Nova Scotia, the Micmac Indian legends, and a rock carving in Westford, Massachusetts. Some researchers believe that Sinclair and his group built the Newport Tower in Rhode Island. Antonio Zeno reported about Henry Sinclair, "If ever there was a man who is worthy of a mortal memory, it is this man [Henry Sinclair] because of his great bravery and goodness".

Accomplishments Were Not Announced to the World

Unfortunately, Henry returned and was soon slain in an ambush in Orkney. It is thought that his assassination was ordered by the Hanseatic League to rid itself of such a powerful rival. To make sure that Prince Henry Sinclair's trans-Atlantic achievements were not followed up, the Hansea arranged to have Sinclair's son, also named Henry, arrested at sea while escorting the Crown Prince of Scotland to France for safekeeping. Henry and the King's son were confined for the next fourteen years in an English prison. His other son, William [actually, his grandson], was content to live in regal comfort in his Rosslyn Castle, where he designed and constructed Rosslyn Chapel. It was adorned with stone carvings, including corn and cactus, not here-to-for known in the Old World. Antonio Zeno also died immediately upon his return voyage. Only Prince Henry's daughter, Elizabeth is credited with passing the story of the epic voyage along to her son, John. He proudly told his in- laws, one of whom was the wife of Christopher Columbus! Later, the Zeno Narratives were discovered, providing the world with a more definitive report of Prince Henry's voyage.

Continued Next Month

The story of Prince Henry Sinclair will continue in October's issue of this Newsletter with many proofs that he actually made the voyage of 1398 from Scotland to North America.

New Film About Prince Henry

Writer/actor Michael Hiland has nearly finished the script for a film about Henry Sinclair. It will trace the his life from childhood at Rosslyn in Scotland through his amazing trans-Atlantic voyage. Hiland is conducting research that includes the Micmacs and the Templars. Having both St. Clair and Micmac blood, Hiland has a very meaningful perspective to offer. Such notables as Niven Sinclair and Bob Brydon have offered assistance. Several potential producers and directors have been approached. This is a hot project!

A Path to Girnigoe

Sinclair travelers the world around will rejoice to know that Iain Sutherland of the Wick Society has reported that a new, 1-mile path is being constructed to Girnigoe-Sinclair Castle on Noss Head. This project was sparked by Niven Sinclair, who serves as president of the Society.

Full-sized Replica . . .

The "Henry St. Clair" 60-foot replica ship has encountered serious delays due to lack of funding. As we get more information we will pass it along to you.
Clan Sinclair .
Last update: 99/06/20 11:36:46