SEASON 12, EPISODE 23, “FAMILY TIES” EPISODE ANALYSIS
- Daniel Spino
- May 7
- 6 min read
In this week’s episode, “FAMILY TIES”, the show began in the MONEY PIT Area, where the Oak Island team was preparing the location to install a caisson into the Solution Channel. The work involved stabilizing the ground in this area and putting platforms for the oscillator to sit on while the caisson is being driven into the ground. Vanessa Lucido of ROC Equipment said they hope to have things ready soon to start the operation.
The action took us to Malta, where the Oak Island team traveled to try to find a connection between the Knights of Malta and Oak Island. The team visited The Citadel of Victoria on the island of Gozo, where they investigated the oldest prison in the country. The team noticed a symbol that happens to appear no matter where they travel, the four dot cross. It is then compared to the symbol on the HO Stone, that was found in Joudrey’s Cove in 1936. It is stated that some believe this symbol marks the presence of Holy Relics. This author is not clear who actually is attributed to this belief, but it’s clear that the symbol is ancient with many meanings that is commonly found around the world.
The action shifted to the LAB, where the Oak Island team met to discuss the recently discovered button from Lot 5. Archeologist Laird Niven and Archeometallurgist Emma Culligan told the team that the eye of the button was interesting because it seemed robust and simple and indicated that it was an older piece. Emma said the composition was leaded brass with zinc and copper. This was a less technical composition, and she estimated the age as the mid 1600’s to 1700’s. It was mentioned that this button had similarities with the Starburst button that had been taken to Malta. It was stated that something significant happened on Oak Island, but it should be stressed that this design was common and appeared over a long period of time.
We were then taken back to Gozo, Malta where the Oak Island Team continued their visit to the prison. The team continued to encounter various symbols that they said they’ve seen associated with Oak Island. The circle with a dot, also known as a circumpunct, was noticed on the wall. This was then compared to the symbol on the alleged 90 Foot Stone that Compendium Investigations found was a cipher solicited and created by academics from Dalhousie University in the 1860’s to promote a treasure narrative concerning Oak Island. Other various symbols were shown, and it was mentioned that these old-world symbols are also found on Oak Island.
We were taken to LOT 1/21 where the Oak Island Team continued to investigate a map that was credited to Frederick Blair but actually the work of William Goodwin. Goodwin was a retired insurance agent in the 1930’s who turned amateur archeologist who believed that Irish Monks discovered North America. He also owned America’s Stonehenge in New Hampshire, where he manipulated some of the features to fit his theory. The team wanted to check under three large boulders that were marked on this map, which they confirmed were in the correct spots. Under the first boulder they discovered a hand forged fastener. They also discovered a large timber and a wedge that would suggest that the boulder was moved into place by man. There was a pile of rocks in this area in a five-foot radius. The team also found an iron pin with striations that was described as heavy and an old piece of iron. Unfortunately, nothing further was found.
The action shifted back to Malta, where Researcher and Theorist Corjan Mol led a presentation at the Palazzo Falson. It was mentioned that Oak Island appeared to be a “Generations Game” with involvement spanning over a long period of time. The locations of Jerusalem, Acre, Ruad, Paris, Rhodes, and Malta were cited as locations of involvement by the Knights Templar, Knights Hospitaller and later the Knights of Malta. The De Villiers family were involved with commanding these orders and Gerard de Villiers was rumored to have fled Paris with Templar treasure in 1307. It was then speculated that this could have included holy relics. Phillip de Villiers, the grandmaster of the Knights of Malta was then linked to Isaac de Razilly who founded a fort about 15 to 20 miles from Oak Island. De Razilly’s mother was Catherine de Villiers, and it was speculated that he was involved with treasure on Oak Island. Please see the ANALYSIS for further information.
The scene then shifted back to Lot 1/21, where the Oak Island team continued to investigate the map made by William Goodwin. This time the team was focused on the large stone that surveyor Steve Guptill called an “anchor stone” that he believed was used to manipulate the area. After moving the boulder, the team discovered an ox shoe. Underneath the boulder were a lot of rocks that appeared triangular. The team went down to the C Horizon which indicated that there was no more human activity below this spot. The team speculated that something could be buried nearby.
The episode concluded with the team meeting at the Oak Island Museum to go over the recent developments on the Island and in Malta. After highlighting what had happened at both locations, Alex Lagina mentioned that the button design reminded him of something he saw in Malta. The two images were compared, and it was speculated that the Knights of Malta were on Oak Island. It was stated that the Knights of Malta had the means, motive, and opportunity to be involved with treasure on Oak Island, but they need to find more evidence to support the theory.
ANALYSIS: The De Villiers family was an ancient noble family in France that goes back centuries. There were several branches in the family, some being more influential than others. Such was the case between Phillipe de Villiers L’Aisle Adam and Isaac de Razilly. Razilly was Phillipe’s maternal second cousin three times removed. Isaac de Razilly had two brothers who were also naval officers. His older brother François was a naval commander involved with the French attempt to colonize Brazil, which was unsuccessful and furthered by the Portuguese. His other brother Claude was also a naval commander, administrator, and partner of Isaac’s to re-colonize Acadia after the defeat of the English as directed by Cardinal Richelieu, the French Foreign Minister of time. He had asked Isaac, a noted naval commander, for a plan for New France, including the promotion of the Fur Trade. Richelieu instituted Issac’s plan in every detail.
Isaac had inquired with the Knights of Malta about building a commandery in Acadia and it was declined. When Isaac died, his brother Claude took over the administration of Acadia and responsibility of the operations. Because of his business dealings, he appointed Isaac’s first lieutenant, their cousin, Charles de Menou d'Aulnay to be governor of Acadia. D'Aulnay immediately moved operations to Port Royal and built a new fort and improvements. The fort at La Heve, called Fort St. Marie de Grace, was abandoned and later burned by the British. If there were holy relics buried in Acadia, wouldn’t the Knights of Malta want a commandery there? If there was a generational link between the De Villiers family and Oak Island, would both Isaac’s brother and cousin abandon the area and move to Port Royal?
Please follow our weekly episode analyses during the season, along with articles from the original “Compendium/Blockhouse Blog”, and special investigations and features involving Oak Island. Feel free to reach out to us for questions, comments, information and any theories to our email, theoakislandcompendium@gmail.com
Good day from Daniel of the Compendium!
