Consulted websites (March 2017-March 2018)
Boston
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Revere
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/freedom-trail/official-sites.shtml
https://www.harvard.edu/
https://www.boston.gov/
Exodus
www.debijbel.nl
http://www.chicagonow.com/an-atheist-in-illinois/2013/05/moses-the-celebrated-baby-killing-psychopath-of-the-bible/
https://eeuwigheidvandeziel.wordpress.com/reincarnatie/reincarnatie-en-religie/de-metafysische
http://janbommerez.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/t/EB53F4ADE6DFF676
Indigenous People of the Americas
https://www.verenigdestaten.info/americana-de-wereld-der-indianen/
http://wampanoagtribe.net/Pages/index
The Netherlands/ Leiden
http://www.oudleiden.nl/
https://www.visitleiden.nl/nl/landingpage
https://www.pieterskerk.com/nl//
http://www.shuttleworthdesign.com/gallery.php?boat=MARS
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republiek_der_Zeven_Verenigde_Nederlanden#Religie
http://www.regiocanons.nl/utrecht/zuidwest/arminius-contra-gomarus
https://www.medischcontact.nl/nieuws/laatste-nieuws/artikel/te-dom-voor-specialist-te-lui-voor-huisarts.htm
The Pilgrims
https://www.plimoth.org/
http://www.leidenamericanpilgrimmuseum.org/index.htm
http://www.mijnstambomen.nl/leiden/pilgrim.htm
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24950
http://people.brandeis.edu/~dkew/David/Marsden-Mayflower-1904.pdf
https://archive.org/details/lastofmayflower00harriala
https://archive.org/details/findingofmayflow00harruoft
http://www.pilgrimhall.org/
Sinai/ Egypt
http://www.info-egypte.nl/sint-catherina-klooster/ – https://www.oneworld.nl/mensenrechten/is-er-precies-aan-hand-sinai/
https://www.unesco.nl/erfgoed/sint-catharina-klooster#zoom=3&lat=28.5562&lon=33.9754&layers=BT
https://kunst-en-cultuur.infonu.nl/geschiedenis/40248-het-st-catherina-klooster-in-de-sinai.html
http://www.kemet.nl/de-grote-atonhymne/
Thanksgiving
http://www.rense.com/general45/thanks.htm
https://www.nemokennislink.nl/publicaties/thanksgiving-een-nederlandse-erfenis#
Freemasons
https://www.vrijmetselarij.nl/
http://www.vrijmetselaars-leiden.nl/
https://massfreemasonry.org/
https://www.leidschdagblad.nl/leiden-en-regio/vrijmetselarij-leiden-wordt-gemengd
https://www.leidschdagblad.nl/leiden-en-regio/open-huis-bij-de-vrijmetselaars
https://www.erfgoedleiden.nl/component/lei_verhalen/verhaal/id/488
http://hetuurvandewaarheid.info/2010/11/04/sinistere-plaatsen-het-amerikaanse-capitool//
Other
http://www.van-de-baanhoek.nl/bijen/de-levenscyclus-van-de-bij/
Wikipedia
Searchterms: Achnaton/ Aton, All-seeing Eye, Arminius/Gomarus, Bible, Bees, Boston/ Harvard, Chief Seattle, Egypt, Esotericism, Exodus, Indigenous people, Israel, Judaism, John Robinson, Leiden, Lodge Ishstar/ La Virtu, Mayflower, Mayflower Compact, Mozart/ Die Zauberflöte, Moses, Old Testament, Paul Revere, Pilgrim Fathers/ Pilgrims, Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth, Sinai, St. Katharina Monastery, Remonstrants, Sharm El-Sheik, Thanksgiving, Freemasons, (History of the) United States, South-Africa/ Orania.
Afterword by Piet van Vliet
First and foremost, I would like to sincerely thank the author Jeroen Windmeijer for providing this platform for my work. Discovering the Pilgrim manuscript in Leiden City Archives is – and will no doubt remain – the absolute highlight of my career.
Usually, the discovery of such a document, however special it may be, causes no more than a ripple in the academic pond. It may lead to the recalibration of our understanding here and there, an article or two will be published, and historians will discuss among themselves the details that are of little interest to the outside world.
I am delighted that, on this occasion, things have proceeded in a less conventional way. I could have chosen to publish the translation of the manuscript in a history magazine. However, I thought that such an unusual find warranted something a little less ordinary. Furthermore, with events to commemorate the four-hundredth anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage taking place in Leiden, Plymouth and Boston in 2020, it seemed to me to be the perfect moment to take a different approach.
I did not know Jeroen Windmeijer personally, but I am Leidener born and bred, and I had read his books The Confessions of St Peter and St Paul’s Labyrinth, which both take place in Leiden.
At a book-signing in a local bookstore, I decided to take the plunge and introduce myself to him. I told him about my discovery. As a writer, he immediately recognised the manuscript’s potential. To cut a very long story short: after a few meetings, we decided to embark upon this journey together. I would translate the manuscript into modern language, and he would weave an exciting story around it.
A fruitful collaboration ensued. Jeroen consulted me for feedback on each new draft of what eventually became this novel. I must say that this has been an exciting adventure from start to finish, one which I have not regretted for a single second!
Naturally, as a researcher, I find it incredibly frustrating that the last few pages of the document are missing. Perhaps they are still hidden somewhere … The fact that they have not yet been found does not mean that they do not exist. Archaeologist Peter de Haan would probably quote that famous axiom: ‘Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.’
What makes it especially frustrating is that in the manuscript’s final sentences, we are promised that certain things will be revealed, particularly about the mysterious boy and the older man. Their relationship appears to be one of a teacher and pupil engaged in the transfer of knowledge. But what was this knowledge? The first boy eventually grows into a young man, and he goes to America. But the group that he joins on the voyage to the New World appears to have split away from the group in Leiden. Why does he go with these ‘enemies’? The Leiden group then apparently reorganises itself around the same ‘teacher’ and a new boy.
And what does that reference to builders mean? One would assume that this was at least a century too early for Freemasonry …
As for the conflict, in those days, it could only have been a theological dispute. Although, at that time, the struggle for power was often hidden behind the mask of religion, just as it is today. But what was the conflict about? Why did such a large group stay in Leiden?
These are all questions which may never be fully answered. Although we might find this unsatisfying or frustrating, perhaps something can also be said for not having a clear view of what actually took place. This leaves room for us to speculate, to form theories that stand the test of time, that can actually be verified or eventually even disproved. And that, I think, also has a certain charm.
This is why I am so pleased that Jeroen Windmeijer has used the manuscript to form his own imaginative and meticulously researched theory about what might have happened. And of course, a novelist has the advantage of not being limited by scientific conventions which demand that every claim is backed up with evidence, quotes from other authors, footnotes and endnotes.
Now that I have read his book, I am almost unable to imagine that events unfolded in any other way!
I would like to end with something that I have written myself. This time, in a reversal of roles, I consulted Jeroen for feedback on my work.
I have called the resulting text ‘Fragment 8’, although, obviously, it was not part of the original manuscript. I thought it would be interesting to use the facts that we do have about the Leiden Pilgrims and add an ending to their fascinating story.
In co-operation with Leiden City Marketing, the manuscript fragments have been published as a small book with
a foreword and afterword. Before the Great Crossing seemed like a fitting title. It is, of course, a reference to the Pilgrims’ voyage over the ocean, but The Great Crossing also happens to be the title of one of my favourite Asterix and Obelix adventures in which they voyage to America …
Keep Reading …
Enjoyed The Pilgrim Conspiracy? Make sure you’ve read St Paul’s Labyrinth, Jeroen Windmeijer’s previous thriller!
A shocking secret that has been buried for centuries …
When university professor Peter de Haan attends a library event, he has no idea of the dangers that await him. As an area outside the library collapses, a hidden tunnel is revealed. Inside cowers a naked man, covered in blood. Then Peter receives a mysterious text message – the hour has come …
When Peter’s colleague Judith disappears, he realises he has been drawn into a plot with consequences deadlier than he could ever have imagined. He has twenty-four hours to find her, otherwise she will be killed.
As Peter investigates, he uncovers mysteries that have been hidden for years. But following his every footstep is an underground society who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden. Will Peter save Judith in time, or will his quest end in disaster?
Click here to order a copy of St Paul’s Labyrinth
About the Author
Dutch anthropologist Jeroen Windmeijer (1969) writes thrillers in which Roman and biblical history and the history of his hometown, Leiden, are brought together. His first book was very well received by both the press and booksellers, in the Netherlands and beyond. With The Pilgrim’s Conspiracy he claims his place among the great storytellers. Jeroen’s thrillers are plot driven, smart and authentic.
Also by Jeroen Windmeijer
St Paul’s Labyrinth
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