B.L. Freeborn © October 30, 2022, Rewritten June 2025        (PDF version here.)

Who built the Newport Tower is a long standing question. It has been well proven by James Eagan that the tower is used for keeping time as the celestial bodies align with its numerous small windows. Eagan also noticed that certain letters formed with stones appear in the arches of the structure. Most notable and hard to miss is the >OI<. He found the Delta and P (shown as R). He also thought the h was a Greek η. From there he determined, probably correctly, it spells out Rode as in Rhode Island. His theory states John Dee had the tower built in 1583 in connection with a colonization attempt which failed.

The tower is shown on the “Woods Map 1635’ by William Woods a colonist in Providence, RI (Syverson, pg.32) The map notes it as Old Plymouth. This is the earliest known record and predates Benedict Arnold senior’s ownership. Evidently Arnold knew what it was and probably who built it, but because of the possibility of these prior claims resurfacing he referred to it as an old windmill knowing very well only a fool would believe that.

After studying Eagan’s discovery, the other letters shown above were identified. There are eight arches. Three of which have one letter displayed and five display two each. There is also a round stone on the interior opposite the >OI< stone which is on the northwest side. This makes fourteen altogether. To complicate the picture there is a runic inscription found over the southwest pillar (see images below). It was translated by Mongé (1967) and it reads Henricus 1116. This refers to Bishop Henricus from Greenland that was sent to Vinland. He is known as Bishop Eirik Gnupsson in Icelandic annals. Other theories as to the tower’s origin abound. The Henricus theory is at least supported by an inscription imbedded into the tower itself in the manner of a corner stone.

This paper is a study of the inscription and stone letters. It is also an addendum to Validating North American Runic Inscriptions (PDF). The translation is given here and the study with its numeric work follows. The aforementioned paper will be helpful in understanding it.

Translation

The round stone on a peg in the NW arch is as indicative of Baal as a cross is to Christ. (The >OI< stones.) Furthermore, it would seem the stone letters spell out Baal. This leads to studying the ‘inscription’ as if it is of Baalist origin and if so, certain numbers must be present. Validating North American Runic Inscriptions describes how certain numbers are embedded in Baalist inscriptions. One should recall that the Catholic Church went to great lengths to stamp out paganism in the time preceding, during and after Henricus’ tenure as Bishop. Apparently, Baal was central to that religion which is why there are so many references to it hidden in runic riddles. The dedication to Baal at Newport tower is unmistakable. The stone letters are repeated here:
Reading in a clockwise manner – b O O L T I h Δ I O >I< P/R O
These are transliterated as:           B A A L T I h D I A I R O

Note that the P in some scripts/languages is R. The O’s can be either O or A. Similarly, the I can be E. In Futhark runes B can be P.
Reading from the top clockwise find: RO, BAAL, TI, HI, HID, DI, O, >I<
Also find: HIT, I TOOL, O LO, BOR, ROB, POL, RODE or RHODE and OH.

The first line suggests: Row, Baal, Tie, die, high, hide, eye, two strikes at I.
The second adds: hit, I tool Rob, hole low, bore, pole; rod, red or road; and oh. We may conclude:

Baal at the high tie hit. It hit twice at the eye in rows.
The hole is low where it bored the eye of the pole.

“ROB” tooled (designed and built).
Rhode Island

The first two lines are typical Baalist statements. The words are easily found in the inscription. Rhode Island perhaps requires an explanation. RHODE appears to be a combined anagram for Rod (or Red) and Oh (meaning island). A rod is a measuring length of 16.5 feet. The clay on the shores of Rhode Island is notably red so it might also refer to red. This suggests the name, Rhode Island, is much older than cited by modern authorities. The name Rob, R.O.B. or B.O.R. is the name or initials of the designer. The H presumably represents his pseudonym, Henricus. (To be discussed further below.)

Then Comes Henricus

Above the southwest pillar of the tower is a runic inscription. Harek Williams examines it in a video with James Eagan and confirms it is human carved and nothing more. A much better source for proving it is an authentic runic carving is Alf Mongé. Why the latter? Harek Williams reads plain text runes from that period. He does not delve into runic puzzles or dated riddles. Alf Mongé was a cryptologist. He deciphered the deep scratch marks into runic letters and decoded them. He found it reads: Henricus 1116. This gives a lower limit to the age of the tower. Based on other runic inscriptions found along the east coast and the Narragansett inscription nearby this seems plausible.

The rapidity with which the tower is giving away to nature demands that it must be under constant care. This requires that, regardless of when it was built, it must have been periodically repaired. It has been nine hundred years since Bishop Henricus visited (circa 1116) as stated in the Vinland map legend. The Spirit Pond stones are dated to 1214-1217. (Freeborn, Deciphering.., 2022) They commemorate his visit. The Kensington Stone’s date is 1362. (Freeborn, Kensington.., 2023) It states the travelers came from Rhode Island. In 1525 Verazzanno explored the coast but did not mention the tower. In 1583 John Dee sent an expedition to the area. By the 1600’s it was settled by colonists and it came under the care of Benedict Arnold senior. This could mean it received periodic maintenance since the time of its construction, on or after 1116, until Arnold’s ownership five hundred years later.

The date and builder need not be total speculation. The aforementioned inlaid letters tell the story of Baal. If they were chosen in the manner of a runic riddle they may reveal more. Since Henricus was a master at runic riddles, and if this was built by him or in honor of him, then the symbols should contain further information. These riddles often contained a date.

As far as John Dee being the designer, that is possible as well. However, and it is a very big however, he was a devoted Christian and this tower is clearly a dedication to Baal. A study of Dee’s mathematics does not display the numbers so prevalent in Baalist inscriptions which suggests he is not the creator. The two religions are not mutually exclusive since Henricus was a Bishop of the church, but he lived at the point in time when paganism, through genocide, was actively being stamped out. To continue their religion and live, they were forced underground or in this case, off the European continent. It is possible he was of both beliefs.

After a mathematical study (which follows) of the letters’ number equivalents more information was derived. As seen, it was erected to commemorate the great story of Baal. It also commemorates Henricus’ visit in 1116 and suggests an erection date from 1153 to 1161. This is some thirty years after his supposed death. In keeping with his humor, or some might say his ego, he designed and oversaw the construction himself.

Designed and Built by O.M. – Dedicated 1161
To Honor Baal and Bishop Henricus’ visit in 1116
Rhode Island

Number Work and Proof of Transliteration

Certain numbers** appear when the letters in any Baalist inscription is converted to their numerical equivalent (gematria). The Newport Tower’s hidden letter/numbers are studied here. Numbers that are typically found are noted by a ✓ check mark. Simply put, if the numbers are not found, it is -not- a true Baalist inscription -or- the letters have been misinterpreted. Once the correct letters are proven via their gematria then the message about Baal can be read and also, possibly, who wrote it and when. The result of this study is as noted above.

The proposed transcription of symbols imbedded in the arches of the Newport Tower is shown below. The numbers are studied for repetitions and pertinent numbers.

Norse Runic Gematria

Sum from T and around to first A = 79. From the same A to L is 23. So that it is 79,23.✓
Total sum is 98 or 89 in reverse which reminds one 89 x 89 = 7921.✓
The sum from the Δ around again to the 7 is 89. ✓ The 79 is also imbedded in the text.✓
Even more notable the 9,3,9 sum to 21 so it becomes 7921.✓
The sum from the first A to first I is 51.✓ The sum from H to the right and around to L is 86.✓
The 28 appears twice which is half of 56.✓ The sum from B to the left around to the I (by H) is 56.✓
The sum from first I to the last O is 43. Twice 43 is 86.✓
The tower also spells out RHODI or Rhode. These letters have values: 5,7,4,3,9 = 28 and twice this is 56 ✓
Note the 12’s at T, ID, DI. Note the 13 at AI just following the 12.
Note the 14 at IR. Lastly, note 7 and 9 sum to 16.
By summing adjoining numbers find: 13,17, 19, 15, 19,12, 16, 12, 12, 13, 13, 14, 9, 17…
On either side of the 16 is a 12, then 12, 12, 13, 13, 14.

Years 1112,1113, 1114, 1115,1116 and 1117 are all implied by the series. These numbers coincide with the period of time Henricus was believed to be in Vinland. In dated runic riddles the Golden Number (GN), Day Letter (DL) and Line # are used to denote a year since every year has specific values that can be found in Easter Tables (a calendar device created in 525 AD). The main legend on the Vinland Map has the phrase: ‘anno p. ss. nrj.’. This uses a 1, 2, 3 sequence in the abbreviations. Since ‘anno’ means year, this is clearly a reference to ‘year 1123’ when Bishop Henricus was replaced by Bishop Arnold and his death was therefore presumed. As an example, if it implies Line #1, Golden Number (GN) 2 and Day Letter (DL) 3 then 1161 is indicated. In this instance, for year 1116, the values are Line #19, GN 14, and DL 3. There are two sums of value 19 with a 15 in between. The delta is the only letter in Greek. D has value 3 in Futhark. This 3 would be the DL. This then easily points to a date 1116. The date has additional merit as seen below. Without corroborating information as seen in the imbedded stone and Vinland map, other dates remain as possibilities.

Runic Inscription Study

Briefly, this is a summary of Mongé’s decipherment of the small stone imbedded above one of the pillars shown in the image above. It is a group of five runes and two are joined runes: (HE) N (IK) ʀ S or Henricus. There is an arrow to the right. The arrow is another feature common on Baalist inscriptions.** Using runic gematria, the year 1116 is found. The (HE) is 16. The S is 11. The ʀ is 16. The (IK) is 15. Reading in reverse find 1116. The repetition of the 16 and 15 help confirm the interpretation. It is worth reading Mongé’s study (Mongé, pgs 128-129).

The Structure Contributes

The structure is set up to provide numbers as well. There are 8 pillars and 10 symbols that appear on five arches (two each). One symbol (the round sunstone) is in the inside and three arches have only one symbol for a total of 14 symbols. 4 x 14 = 56.✓
There are five arches with two symbols each or 10.
There are three with one each for 3. Total 13.
There is a single round stone on the interior. So 1. Then 1 and 13 ➟ 113 = 56.5 x 2.✓
There are 8 pillars and of course, 8 arches. A square of sides 5.656 has a diagonal of 8.✓
There are double symbols in 5 arches and single symbols in 3.
If the first arch with B is #1, then the arches with two symbols are found on: 3, 5, 6, 7,8. The ever present 3 is represented, then 56 and 7 x 8 is 56 again.✓ Similarly, if B is #1, then it is 1 symbol, then 1 symbol, then 2 symbols; or 112 which is twice 56.✓

One may again conclude after finding so many numbers typically found in Baalist documents that the transliteration is correct. The set of numbers is then 5,3,2,2,2,2,2,1,1,1 and 10. Let us view this another way. There are 3 arches with only 1 symbol. This is part of the story of Baal. There are 3 arcs.✓ The repeating 2’s emphasize that there were 2 Baals ✓.

Also note the number 532 is easily found. This is the number of years in the Easter Table before the table starts to repeat. Its presence infers a date. The 1,2,3 suggests year 1161 as seen above. The more probable date of 1153 is also easily implied here. Of the eight arches 5 have two symbols and 3 have one for 53. There is one round stone on the inside and one on the outside between two pillars which implies the 11. The sum of the digits in 1153 is 10 which is the number of double symbols.✓ It is suggested that Henricus journeyed to Rhode Island a second time or began the structure in 1153, and the tower was completed on or before 1161. This accounts for some of the confusion in the Vinland Map that says, ‘He remained a long time summer and winter and later returned toward Greenland.’ He was presumed dead in 1123 but reappears thirty years later.

Who was the Builder?

Further information is here about Henricus. If the letter sequence is viewed using the Elder Futhark gematria we find:
18 4 4 21 17 9 11 23 11 4 11 5 24 …18
B  A A L  T H  I   D   I  A I R O… B ⇒… repeats..

It is believed Henricus died in 1123 because a new Bishop of Greenland was consecrated in 1124. Note that 1123 is emphasized in the sequence.

Find: I, DI, H 1123…… I die 1123 (as) Henricus.
I HID 1123 ……… I hid 1123.
I R O B …. or… B. O. R. or I Rob….

In other runic riddles such phrases are anagrams. Recall first that the O’s were also considered to be A’s and find in these letters – B A A L T H I D I A I R O the following:

I DI  REAL PA AT OH ………. I die. Real father at island. (OH = island)
I ROB LOT I AID HA ………. I rob (the) lot. I aid. Ha!
I HID A O ROB IT AL ………. I hid. I ring rob it all.
I A O I HID ROB LOT ………. I a ring. I hid. Rob lot.
I HI PA O RAID LOT ………. I high father (bishop). Ring raid lot.
I PA H I O RAID LOT ………. I Father H. I ring (that) raid lot.
IT A O ROB AL I HID ………. It a ring. Rob all. I hid.
I PA O HID AL AT RI ………. I father. Ring hid all at RI (Rhode Island).
RHODE IT AL I A PA ………. Rhode. It all I, a father.

This sounds like the confession of a thief who robbed and aided. Furthermore, it suggests he hid it at RI, which one might think refers to treasure. It is more likely it means he was using his ill gotten gains to ‘aid’ his fellow man and hiding those people at Rhode Island. What sort of people needed to be hidden in that era? And is there a thief known as Rob who stole from the rich and gave to the poor? Who then was Henricus? Who was Rob?

Perhaps a couple more phrases might help.

I O PA HID AL AT RI ………. I O. Father (who) hid all at RI. (Rhode Island)
I O R PA AL HAT I DI ………. I O . Are Father (of) all. Hate I die.
I O R PA AL HAT I DI ………. I O . Are pa. All hate I die.

The image of the side of the tower shows a round stone between two arches. (See above.) If the round stone is an O then might not the two arches represent an M? Who then was OM and was OM a king?

It just so happens that a king also died in 1123 and his name was Oystein Magnusson who co-ruled Norway with his brother Sigurd the Crusader. Sigurd was a warrior and killer. It is then possible it was Oystein who named Henricus (Erik) as Bishop to Greenland.

A study of the two kings’ relationship can be seen in the historical account of Snorri. They were not friends. The need arises for a new bishop in Greenland in 1123. It is Sigurd that names him since Oystein has died unexpectedly.

So then we might ask:
• Did King Oystein name himself as Bishop and travel to Rhode Island as Henricus?
• Was King Oystein spiriting his people away from the genocides in Norway and sending them to Rhode Island?
• Was he funding his enterprise by robbing?
• King Oystein was a fabulous architect and builder of ships, bridges and churches. Did he design the tower?
• Did he hide from his murderous brother and later return to Rhode Island to oversee the tower’s construction?

Perhaps if one looks closer at the Vinland map (yes… it’s been declared a fake…), one can find his initials OM there as well. (Hint: use two copies against a sunny window.) Did King Oystein also pen the map?

 

Conclusion

The Newport Tower’s embedded letters when converted to gematria reveal numbers typical of Baalist documents. Their transliteration and subsequent translation educate us in a long lost religion. That this tower displays these features severely narrows the field of possible builders. It also strongly suggests that the northern peoples, Norse and others, inhabited this region known as Rhode Island for some time and built an elegant edifice by the year 1161. Pagan / Baalist beliefs are apparent in the design of the structure. Regardless of who designed and built this Tower, it is a marvelous feat of time keeping / engineering.

This still leaves us plenty of mystery but the time period has narrowed to a window beginning in 1116 to around 1161. Furthermore, new evidence of the builder/architect is presented here pointing to a man who used the alias Henricus and who signed his work O.M.

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References

Creedon, Marc, Runologist Henrik Williams Examines the Newport Tower, Youtube, April 2015.

Eagan, James Alan, Elizabethan America: The John Dee Tower of 1583/ A Renaissance horologium in Newport, Rhode Island, Cosmopolite Press, Newport, Rhode Island, 2011.

*Monge, Alf & O.G. Landsverk, Norse Medieval Cryptography in Runic Carvings, Norseman Press, Glendale, California, 1967.

Syversen, Earl, Norse Runic Inscriptions with Their Long-forgotten Cryptography, The Vine Hill Press, Sebastopol, California, 1979.

Derogatory article by Aslak Liestol of Alf Mongé’s work: http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/41/v41i01p034-042.pdf  and….

…Landsverk responded to these comments in Ancient Norse Messages pg. 126-129; and often in Runic Records of the Norsemen in America.