The Grand Temple
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The Grand Temple is one of the oldest buildings with Hycathic architectural style of East Mercia. Situated on a southern peninsula of the Inner Circle of Nottingham, it serves as the location for the weekly Oculus meetings, occasional criminal trials and other Hycathic events.
History
The temple was commissioned in AD 1141/YE 1 by Gabriella Fitzwalter to commemorate Empress Matilda’s victory over her cousin Stephen of Blois in the First Hycath War and the overall defeat of the Catholic Church on the Anglia Isle. Gabriella had it built a little outside the borders of the town, on the spot where Lucy of Bolingbroke was reckoned for her crime that caused the death of Empress Maud’s brother, William Adelin, during the White Ship Distaster of AD 1120.
The Temple’s main structure took twelve years to build and has undergone several refurbishments and enlargements over its history. It consists of an open wooden structure, supported by eight pillars placed in the shape of a number eight. Each pillar refers to one of the eight pillars of the Hycath religion: Perception, Resilience, Dedication, Grace, Competence, Ingenuity and Benevolence, with Care and Respect in the centre. The pillars were carefully constructed by talented, local sculptor Ariana Wright. Each displays a different female figure, shaped in the likeness of the Goddess Hecate.
Present Day
According to historians, the temple today is almost five times its original size. It showcases one of the most beautiful architectural structures of East Mercia. The building shows an early Ionic influence, but the keen eye can discover many details that were added later, referencing different styles and eras. Over the years, Wright’s pillars were replaced with newer versions, twice their size. The original pillars are currently held at the Historic Northreach Museum.
As per custom, the Grand Temple belongs to the general public rather than being owned by the State or the Temple of Hycath. Throughout the year, volunteers help with the upkeep of the building.
The Grand Temple is open on a daily basis for visitors and events. To check the current schedule of events and opening hours, please visit www.visitgrandtemple.co.em.
Hecate’s Day
One of the most famous and most important celebrations of the Hycath religion is on 8th August each year. According to the Hycath Scriptures, it was on this date that Hecate collected eight women from the underworld, whom she would bestow the gift of magic by making them Nyridiae. On this day, many visitors travel to Nottingham to celebrate this special occasion. The Grand Temple is one of the only temples in the country that still follows historical traditions on Hecate’s Day, including the eight-hour demonstration performed before the eight pillars. In modern days this celebration mainly attracts tourists, but it is still the most popular of all the temple’s events.
