“In 1969, en route for a summer holiday in the Cévennes, I made the casual purchase of a paperback. Le Trésor Maudit by Gérard de Sède was a mystery story—a lightweight, entertaining blend of historical fact, genuine mystery, and conjecture.” — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“between 1195 and 1220, Wolfram composed his epic romance Parzival, he conferred on the Templars a most exalted status.” — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“In 1099, immediately after the capture of Jerusalem, a group of anonymous figures convened in secret conclave.” — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“in March 1314, Jacques de Molay, the grand master, and Geoffroi de Charnay, preceptor of Normandy, were roasted to death over a slow fire.” — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“the first historical information on the Templars is provided by a Frankish historian, Guillaume de Tyre, who wrote between 1175 and 1185.” — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“in 1444, Cosimo founded Europe’s first public library, the Library of San Marco, and thus began to challenge the Church’s long monopoly of learning.” — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“The "treasure," he declared flatly, did not involve gold or precious stones. On the contrary, it consisted of "incontrovertible proof" that the Crucifixion was… — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“When the king’s head fell beneath the guillotine, an unknown man is reported to have leaped onto the scaffold. He dipped his hand in… — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“In 1956 a series of books, articles, pamphlets, and other documents relating to Bérenger Saunière and the enigma of Rennes-le-Chateau began to appear in… — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“Rennes-le-Château and its environs had been on the ancient pilgrim route, which ran from northern Europe to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.” — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“The final recorded act in the order’s history had been the burning of the last grand master, Jacques de Molay, in March 1314.” — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“in 1522 the Templars’ Prussian progeny, the Teutonic Knights, secularized themselves, repudiated their allegiance to Rome, and threw their support behind an upstart rebel… — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
“All members of the order were obliged to wear white habits of surcoats and cloaks, and these soon evolved into the distinctive white mantle… — Michael Baigent Copy Share Image
