In the quest to follow the trail of the Greenman, from the intricacies of 16th-century wood block carvings to its presence in 19th-century publications. The Greenman, through its consistent yet diverse representations, beckons scholars to decode the symbolism embedded within its leaves and branches, inviting us to explore the hidden realms of cultural expression across centuries.
Setting the stage for block A
The very first appearance of the Greenman anywhere in Europe is in this Latin dictionary ‘Supplementum Linguae Latinae’ by Rob Constantino in 1573. Striking me instantly was a rare version of the ‘AA’ carving, found throughout important works in London and beyond and to some a secret signature for Francis Bacon. Extensive research on the ‘AA’ carving has been conducted by Peter Dawkins of the Francis Bacon Research Society, and his publication, “The Secret Signature,” comes highly recommended. While our focus remains on practical proof, publications like Peters provide valuable insights, drawing on decades of experience and research beyond my expertise.
In the Secret signature Peter points to the year 1576 as the inception of the design in print form. The distinct ‘AA’ hieroglyph holds significance, prominently featured in an ornate headpiece on the initial page of two supplementary inserts appended at the book’s conclusion. “Hebraicum Alphabethum Jo. Bovlaese–,” a work on Hebrew Grammar, notable for its rarity.
Published in Paris in 1576, this work assumes historical importance in Dawkins’ narrative. In September 1576, Francis Bacon, then dispatched to France under the auspices of “her majesty’s royal hand,” made the voyage aboard the Queen’s battleship, the Dreadnought. Accompanied by his French tutor, Sir Amyas Paulet.
Notably, Dawkins highlights the direct link with Francis Bacon and this piece of information. The copy associated with Bacon the Hebraicum Alphabethum Jo. Bovlaese reveals interleaved sheets with Bacons handwritten annotations, systematically augmenting the volume with page-by-page equivalents of the Hebrew text in Greek, Chaldean, Syriac, and Arabic. The discovery of the ‘AA’ carving in 1573 challenges the timeline, as it predates Francis Bacon’s arrival in France by three years. While Bacon was a polymath who excelled in various pursuits, orchestrating the largest historical cover-up at the age of 12 seemed improbable.
The Green Man is found on the last page of the 1573 publication Supplementum Linguae Latinae. Combining the first appearance of the Secret Signature AA block carving found on the first page of this publication perhaps suggests Peters interpretation of the AA carving implying the role of Alpha and Omega could be significant.
Upon scrutinizing the front page, a realization struck me regarding the words contained in the Fama. It suggested that members should adopt the initial of R.C as their mark. Initially, I found this perplexing, as using the same initials would seemingly make the identification of members too straightforward. However, as I examined a publication containing the earliest Greenman and the previously undiscovered earliest ‘AA’ carving, authored by someone named Rob Constantino with the initials R.C., I began to reconsider. Could the enigmatic passage in the Fama hold a genuine clue with tangible foundations? At this point, my suspicion about the author was limited to having initials that coincidentally aligned with the narrative.
The Fama the first of the manifestos, with a little interpretation made me believe that hunting down these Green men was essential to understanding the Rosie Cross. I have included a passage below that has certain phrases highlighted in bold.
‘Also we do testifie that under the name of Chymia many books and pictures are set forth in Contumeliam gloriae Dei, as we wil name them in their due season, and wil give to the pure-hearted a Catalogue, or Register of them: And we pray all learned men to take heed of these kinde of Books; for the enemy never resteth, but soweth his weeds, till a stronger one doth root it out. So according to the wil and meaning of Fra: C.R.C. we his brethren request again all the learned in Europe, who shal read (sent forth in five languages) this our Famam and Confessionem, that it would please them with good deliberation to ponder this our offer, and to examine most nearly and most sharply their Arts, and behold the present time with all diligence, and to declare their minde, either Cummunicate consilio, or singulatim by Print.
As there are nowadays too many such books set forth, which the Enemy of man’s welfare doth daily, and will to the end, mingle among the good seed.’
The apparent references to nature and the springing forth of a seed, perhaps in the form of art could be hinting to the Green Man being this seed, its artwork showing the opening of a seed beginning to bloom. Could the green men be the register that the brethren of the Rosie Cross mention in their manifesto ?
Trail of the Green Man 