Joseph of Arimithea part 3

The Spiritual Centre

Jesus in Britain

This is an extract from our book published 31st August 2018

Joseph of Arimithea Part 3

partnerships. A key attribute that gave him the advantage over many would have been his understanding of the language. Spending four years with Malachi we can say he would have learned and had a good understanding of the Celtic/ Celtic/Saxon language. Joseph arrived in Britain (Albion) on this first visit with Jesus aged six, accompanied by skilled sailors from Africa with the experience and knowledge of the Phoenician sailors who travelled to Britain many times before. Joseph himself a skilled sailor and navigator being self taught and able to stand watch of a night, and guide a ship through a storm. These skills are an essential part of learning. It is rare to have passengers on trading ships, both Jesus and Lazarus would also know how to steer a ship and how to navigate by the stars and the landmarks available. It had been six years since his last trip to Briton but Zebedee as arranged made annual trips to this land, Zebedee owned a fleet of ships, two vessels that fished from the port of Galilee, also; the Veniti ship builders of Brest built him this merchant ship; this ship he operated himself and worked for Joseph; this is the ship he used for trading with Briton every year and this ship he taught both Jesus and Lazarus to navigate by the stars. Zebedee is a good husband to Mary Salome, a good father to two sons, a favoured uncle of Jesus and friend and contractor to Joseph of Arimathea. He adored Jesus, loved him with his wife and his young sons, with Mother Mary being his sister-in-law making Jesus his nephew the bond that held them together could not be broken.
Joseph on his first trip to the shores of Albion was short and sweet, and it inspired what was to become a lifelong alliance and a friendly, profitable business relationship between Joseph and the Celtic High priests, he met Beli-Mawr, Bran and the druids from which Malachi come from.
This trip; with both Jesus and Lazarus aboard, it again served many purposes. Jesus again become the centre of attention in Jerusalem and attracting an unhealthy interest from people that would not serve good purpose. By allowing Jesus and Lazarus to accompany him, he once again saved Jesus from a hostile and jealous crowd. This trip was also to explore the tin mines in what is now modern Cornwall and to find another solution to the growing problem of getting the tin where it was needed without being discovered. The total collapse of the Phoenician trading empire along with the Roman control of the Gibraltar Straits meant that very little and sporadic trading was taking place, it left the people of Cornwall looking forward to more regular trading opportunities and establishing a constant supply of pottery, grain, spices, fabrics and dyes.
The Veniti people of Brest also suffered because the Romans used their own ships; meaning the Veniti trade ships were standing idle. The Romans were in almost complete control of all trading in Europe and by doing so they controlled quantities and price, this forced local merchants and the people into poverty or to accept the controls and taxes imposed by the Romans.
Zebedee was a familiar face in Briton and was welcome in many ports; he docked at Harlech knowing Bran would be here; he saw no flags at Tintagel and so continued to Harlech where seeing Brans favoured purple flag flying from miles at sea and laughed knowing Anna created the dye used for the flag and it was him that brought in the sea snails that created the dye. Bran with his humour mocked the Romans with his purple flag as they used it as a royal colour; it was rare to see this colour within normal ranks and legions. Bran taunted the Romans knowing their ships could see it when passing.
Bran; pleased to see Joseph again, extended his hospitality to Joseph and his nephews; they stayed in Harlech for a few days then headed for Cornwall. With the tides turned Zebedee could take advantage and make good speed to Belgium with a fresh cargo of tin. The Veniti ship builders and Navy knew the tidal flows of the English Channel. They knew how to take advantage of the tides and the tidal flow with each season and the seas off the coast of France, Belgium and along the coastline of the bay of Biscay. They had mastered the art of not being caught by the Romans, whilst they never engaged in combat and they always stayed one step ahead of the Romans, never having to engage in combat with them.

The Romans had infiltrated much of the British way of life and influenced many aspects of day to day living in Briton. The Romans had invaded Briton less than sixty years before and had withdrawn but this was not a complete withdrawal. The Romans that stayed infiltrated the Britons way of life. Introducing drainage, indoor plumbing, and pavement, (sidewalk) heated baths, central heating, and also new foods like cabbage, peas, pears and grapes. Slowly, steadily Romans introduced the concept of towns, their influence was changing the face of Briton. Introducing roads with drainage; cement made with pig’s blood; they used the mile as a standard measurement. Travel became easier as did the transport of goods. Rome did not need to invade Briton as they believed they could not benefit from an invasion. They did not know of the tin mines and could not confirm the black market trading. Rome believed Briton to be of no consequence to the success of the Roman Empire.
The Roman naval fleet made a critical mistake in its success at controlling the ocean corridor outside of the Pillars of Hercules (The Gibraltar Straits) it reduced and stopped the supply of black market tin getting into the Mediterranean. They became victims of their own success, the main source of good quality tin was being sourced by Bran and Joseph. The Romans paid the highest rates because of limited supplies. The Romans in their efficiency at stopping and controlling all trade ships paid the price demanded for the tin available.

Joseph met Bran many times in Brest and also the North of France. (Belgium) Jesus and Lazarus were twelve years of age on this Journey. When they went with Joseph and Zebedee to Briton, both wanted to explore this mystical Island of angels and spirituality. They arrived in Cornwall for Joseph to see the tin mines and mining operation then onwards to Glastonbury the epicentre of Celtic spirituality. Joseph like many of this time knew of Glastonbury; of its power; the myths of Avalon; the surrounding rivers of life; of the magic mountain, known today as 'the Tor,' of the legends of dragons and magic and prosperity and good fortune. What we should remember is that Joseph has also travelled around the Eastern cultures and civilisations of India and China; it is only after the 12th century that dragons and mystics, magic and the fear of the occult gripped western society. Glastonbury was without exaggeration the epicentre of spiritual enlightenment in the northern hemisphere. The Romans under Julius Caesar raided Canterbury when they invaded Briton sixty years previously; they violated a place deemed to be one of the most sacred places known to the druids, but from this violation… Glastonbury had risen.
Jesus aged just twelve years was recognised for who he was; there could be no disguising his enlightened state. Beli Mawr of the Ohn Druid Grove invited him into their circle; Beli the High Priest and his Druids recognised him for who he was… an enlightened person.
Joseph was a good mentor for Jesus never leaving his side. Beli was king of the kings of England and Wales, and he was High Priest of the Ohn Grove, one of the largest druid groves known in Briton. Beli had married Anna a distant Aunt to Jesus who was also related to Joseph, she had held Mother Mary as a baby in her arms. After Glastonbury they left by ship and headed for Anglesey. With Bran at the helm and steering the ship, the small cove beyond Amlwch was most welcoming as the sunset and the bay settled under moonlight. Jesus followed by Lazarus jumped ship and swam towards who they knew to be Anna waiting on the beach.
Beli did not travel by sea, much preferring a horse and dry land as a method of travelling. He changed horses once before stopping at the royal residence at Harlech overnight and travelling on to Anglesey the next morning. Beli sees much of Anna in Joseph; he appreciates Joseph as a grandfather would look at a grandchild. It has been a long time since Anna had children in the house and Joseph shared the news, bringing good tidings from her family back home. Beli and Anna appreciated youth in their house; Joseph guiding Jesus and Lazarus were perfect for the house. Over the coming weeks Beli took pride in taking Jesus with him to circle in his Grove; Jesus was not unaware of the awe of the people in this circle, he remembered the daily rituals from the nunnery and could take part in some activities.

Bran was a High Priest of the Fearne Grove and druid to the Ohn Grove; he did not indulge with Beli and instead watched as the two left the house. Bran and Joseph had much to talk about between them they discussed many subjects long into the night. Their humour was similar and laughter rocked the house into the early hours. The pair of Wolfhounds owned by Beli stood guard at each side of the fireplace and not once did their eyes leave Joseph, much to the amusement of Bran.
It had been over three weeks since they arrived in Anglesey. Zebedee arrived to collect them from Amlwch Port. Bran did not travel with them because they were heading to a place close to the River Loire to unload their shipment of copper from Parys Mountain. They had given Joseph a pendant made from Welsh Gold to give to Mary by Anna, their visit now over and with everyone pleased they headed towards home.
Within days of arriving home Joseph realizes problems surrounding Jesus. The synagogues refused him entry; he was abused and attacked in the streets. The Romans were being told of Jesus and his refusal to accept normal protocol. The growing animosity had not lessened in Jesus' absence; it had instead fermented and was now ready to erupt.
They made plans for the future of Jesus; they decided not to compromise his safety and that he should go to Anna in Briton, where he is given the opportunity to grow in spirit as he should. Joseph engaged a guardian for Jesus, Ezekiel was an athlete who tortured by the Romans. He was an African giant standing taller than most, abducted and taken into slavery as a child, forced to work as a galley slave. Known for his singing and encouraging a good spirit, they removed his tongue and forced him into the arenas. He stood triumphant and defiant against all they sent against him until it almost killed him in the ring. This led to his sale, and it was this that brought him to Jerusalem and the horses he looked after. Joseph purchased him and released him from slavery; Ezekiel recognised the Mary Magdalene for whom she was, Joseph had seen him recognise Mary and watched the realisation in his face as he saw Jesus for the first time. Ezekiel given the right circumstances would have worshipped and followed Jesus anyway but instead been engaged by Joseph to be guardian for Jesus.

A little less than two months later and Joseph arranged for their journey back to Briton. They travelled the southern ports of the Mediterranean along the north coast of Africa then on to Marseilles, across France and into Essex. Prosutagus had been waiting for them and provided escort back to his home in Braughing. Jesus with Ezekiel was pleased to see him and now in England. For how long… he did not know.