The Mystery Of The Cryptic Inscriptions At The SHUGBOROUGH ESTATE !

What would you do if you encounter a set of cryptic messages or a code language inscribed on an ancient monument or a temple? I guess I would be stumped for sure! Well, I believe anyone would be. I mean if you are visiting a monument and you are confronted set of symbols and messages inscribed on it, it would make you curious and also wonder what on earth could this mean? The actual monument with the cryptic inscription is called the ‘The Shepherd’s Monument’, and it is located within the grounds of Shugborough Estate. Now, what would you say or think when you are confronted by the strange inscription ‘OUOSVAVV’, with a further D and an M inscribed at a slightly lower level! Let us try to find out more about this.

Referred to as ‘The SHUGBOROUGH INSCRIPTION’, these are inscribed on the ‘Shepherd’s Monument’, which was commissioned by Thomas Anson, and was built somewhere around 1748–1756. These are inscribed on the superstructure of mouldings and bands which lie horizontally over columns. Furthermore, this frieze is decorated with a depiction of laurel wreaths and two carvings of stone heads. The amazing thing about this carving is that one carving is that of a bald smiling man; while the other is the resemblance to the goat-headed Greek God Pan. Other main aspects of this monument are that there is a portico, which is in the shape of a rusticated arch, which also frames a relief by the famous Flemish sculptor, Peter Scheemakers.

The 365-hectare Shugborough estate belonged to the Lords of Lichfield, and it came into the possession of the Ansons in the 1620s. This was considerably extended in the 1740s. Another amazing and beautiful aspect of this monument is that just above the mysterious inscription is a carved relief based on a picture by the baroque master, Nicolas Poussin, called the ‘Les Bergers d’Arcadie’, i.e. (‘The Shepherds of Arcadia’). Now, let us try to solve the mystery of at least the lower inscriptions at the Shepherd’s Monument. According to experts, the ‘D’ at the beginning and the ‘M’ are the same as that found on Roman tombs. Furthermore, they serve as an acronym for the phrase ‘Diis Manibus’, which in Latin means, ‘For The Spirit-Gods’. The rest of the inscriptions have not yet been deciphered, though, a lot of experts have claimed to have finally cracked the code.

Interestingly, there are a lot of theories regarding these inscriptions. Some of these theories are as follows:

· Some believe that the eight letters are a coded dedication by George Anson to his deceased wife.

· Steve Regimbal interprets the letters as a Latin phrase from Ecclesiastes 12:8.

· Another theory is that the random letters ‘OUSV’ can be referred to the Biblical prophet ‘Joseph’.

· While former NSA linguist, Keith Massey, interprets the Latin Phrase as “I am the Way, The Truth and The Life”.

· Dave Ramsden (2014) on the other hand, believes that this was some kind of an altar dedicated to some female, referred to as “The Shepherdess.” He is of this belief because of the carving depicting a woman and 3 shepherds.

Now, you would be interested to know that there are some outlandish and mystifying theories associated with this mysterious monument also! Some of the most popular theories are that it is a code kept by the ‘Priory of Sion’, an organization that is believed to be the successor of The Knights Templar! This theory was used by the alternative historians Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln, in the world-famous book “The Holy Grail and The Holy Blood.” This book drew immense popularity worldwide and also caught the immediate critical and scathing attention of the Roman Catholic Church. Even Dan Brown, the author of “Da Vinci Code”, also mentioned this mysterious organization called “The Priory Of The Sion”, and he had come under a lot of criticism worldwide. His book and the subsequent Hollywood movie, featuring Tom Hanks, were banned from all Roman Catholic countries, as per instructions of the Holy Vatican for many years!

According to some crypto-analysts, Poussin’s masterpiece is in itself a clue to unlocking the mystery! Some people believe that the mystery points to the Holy Grail itself! However, one anonymous American ex-cryptographer, who uses sophisticated crypto-logical equipment suggests that the whole inscription means that Jesus was an earthly prophet; and not ‘The Son of God!’ This has led many experts to believe that the Priory of Sion was just trying to give this message to the people!

There have many more efforts to break this enduring enigma in the latter half of the 20th century also. According to crack experts, who broke the German Enigma Code, during World War II, even they were unsuccessful in fully deciphering ‘THE SHUGBOROUGH INSCRIPTION!’

Well, efforts are still underway to fully crack the mysterious and cryptic code at Shugborough Estate; and until it is fully cracked, it will remain an enigmatic mystery to the world.