In respect of the so-called medieval 'Priory of Sion'. As described in 'The
Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' it was a complete fantasy concocted by Pierre
Plantard and Philipe de Cherisy - but was lossly base on a real network of
interlinked families as recorded in European esoteric legend and traditions
kept within the various families. For a fairly comprehensive rundown of
these family connections, which do include the St Clairs, see our latest
work 'Rex Deus'.
Pierre Plantard who was the prime mover behind the Priory of Sion scam,was a
convicted con-man who worked with the very knowledgeable and astute de
Cherisy to confect a story that would enhance his own reputation and
apparently 'legitimise' his own spurious claims to power and influence. For
example his alleged presonal letter from General de Gaulle thanking him for
all his help in gaining power was, in fact, a mass-produced letter received
by every voter in France and made no mention whatsoever of the 'committees
of public safety'.
Sadly most of the Templar attributions to various castles and holdings in
the area of Rennes-le-Chateau are euqally spurious as was the allegation
that Btrand de Blanchfort came from that area, owned propertty nearby and
gave it to the order. Betrand de Blanchfortcame from the Guyenne, severl
hundred kilometres to the north, did not own property near Rennes-le Chateau
and, tehrefore, could not give it to the Knights Templar.
The Chateau of Bezu, for example, was necver raided by King Philipe the
Bel's soldiers on 13th October 1307 for the simple reason that it was never
a Templar property. Its only claim to fame in the historical record is that
it was used as a centre for the falsification of the coinage a couple of
centuries later.
Treat 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' as a fascinating and well written
piece of hokum which occaisionally contains some facts well buried in an
intriguing mixture of fantasy, outright fiction and wishful thinking, and
you will not go far wrong. Having said that, however, I must admit to a
large vote of thanks to Lincoln, Leigh and Baigent for with thatbook they
created a vast and unstiable thirst for works about that era from which
every author working in that field today draws immense benefit.
Best wishes
Tim
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