Product Description

While investigating Leonardo da Vinci and the Turin shroud the authors found clues to the existence of a secret underground religion. This secret history, encoded in works of art, follows the foundations of Christianity and the beliefs of the first century AD through to the Knights Templar and Freemasonry. First published in 1997 by Bantam Press.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #190194 in Books
• Published on: 1998-08-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 571 pages

From the Back Cover
In the course of their investigations into Leonardo da Vinci and the Turin Shroud, Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince were struck by clues in the work of the great Renaissance artist and scientist that seemed to point to the existence of a secret underground religion. Guided by hints about that religion's continued existence, they found further clues in a twentieth-century church in London.

These were just the beginnings of a quest that was to lead the authors through time and space to the heartland of European occultism and the dark histories of such mysterious bodies as the Freemasons, the Cathars and the Knights Templar.

As they dug beyond what was already known, the trail led them to the ideas and beliefs of the first century AD and a devastating new view of the real character and motives of the supposed founder of Christianity and the role of John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene. And in so doing they revealed a secret history, preserved through the centuries, whose final chapter might shatter the foundations of the Church...

About the Author
Lynn Picknett
Since they met in 1989, Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince have collaborated in research that resulted in Turin Shroud: In Whose Image? and its sequel, The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ, besides another major book.

They are lecturers and researchers on a variety of mysteries, from the esoteric to 'straight' history, but specialise in secret societies, heresies, the origins of Christianity and conspiracies.

They live in north London.

Clive Prince
Freemasons, the Knights Templar and the Cathars and finally back to the ideas and beliefs of the first century AD and a devastating new view of the real character and motives of the founder of Christianity and the roles of John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene. They reveal nothing less than a secret history, preserved through the centuries but encoded in works of art and even in the great Gothic cathedrals, whose revelation could shake the foundations of the Chruch.

Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince are the author of The Turin Shroud: In Whose Image? (1994). They live in London.

Customer Reviews

Secret Societies, Occult Religious Beliefs, New Theories
Picknett and Clive make bold assertions about "secret" revelations they researched regarding religion and the 'occult' knowledge and practices of the Knights Templar, Freemasons, and Cathars. These groups are presumed to have based their beliefs and religious practices to the time of Solomon and the ancient religion of Egypt, Osiris and Isis. While it is not a scholarly work in the strict scientific sense of the word, these authors do a fine job of connecting symbols, paintings, sculpture, and ancient church architecture to religious practices that do not conform to what was the common practice at the time. This reader is convinced they have revealed some of the "mysteries" upon which the secret societies and groups of the past based their esoteric knowledge. They include a fascinating mix of myths, legends, and "Indiana Jones" type archeological research associated with religion, which captures the reader's attention and keeps it transfixed as a complex maze of detailed revelations are brought forth for the reader's examination.

Some of the most complex connections made in the book relate to the information about why John the Baptist is held in high regard by the Knights Templar and Priory of Sion. In fact, the Grand Masters are often refered to as "John". Another interesting fact is that in the south of France, there are many "Black Madonna" sites where a church is often built to honor the Mary Magdalene. The authors connect the "Black Madonna" cults to the goddess worship of Isis which was the predominant religion of the area before Christianity. They also connect the concepts of fertility and goddess worship to secret practices within some of the societies. There were two levels of membership in the societies, the outward stated one, and an inner "secret" level, where only those who were initiated could understand and practice certain sexual rites. There are assertions that Jesus and Mary Madelene may have been married or, if not married, were participants in some secret rituals of this nature. There are references to gnostic writings which intimate a very different level to their relationship than is depicted in the New Testament version. The role of women as Apostles in the New Testament has been diluted. based on the prevalent Jewish dominant cultural view at the time. The religious questions the authors raise and possible connections they make do point to some fallacies in current religious practice, although there is no scientific proof to the relationship assertions. The findings of the Nag Hammadi scrolls in 1945, have been now revealed to the public. They shed a new light on the religious outlook of different groups of people who were living during the time of Jesus ministry, both before and after the crucifixion and resurrection. His life and teaching is given new meaning ... While this reader can not accept at face value the "true identity of Christ" as presented by the authors, indeed, there is room for more research. The New Testament books as carefully selected and edited versions of books that were copied and recopied from the past, do not reveal the full measure of Jesus life and teachings either. This was a fascinating book which read partly like a mystery which explained myths and legends, partly like a sociological research paper, and partly like an archeological exploration of religious symbolism and practice. Since it mixes so many unlikely topics, the reader needs to keep an open mind balanced with some healthy skepticism. Highly recommended. Erika Borsos (bakonyvilla)

A Tour of the Occult Underground Through the Ages
The Priory of Sion, Rennes-le-Chateau, Freemasons, Rosicrucians, Cathars, Isis, Black Madonnas, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Hermes Trismegistus ... and much more are examined in The Templar Revelation.

If it sounds like the book is unfocused, that is likely to be your impression while reading it, at least for quite a few pages. There is a thread linking all these topics: Picknett and Prince are trying to trace the predecessors and descendants of the Knights Templar, who were cruelly suppressed early in the 14th century. They also probe the nature of the secret knowledge said to have been possessed by the Templars and their various offspring.

The connections aren't always easy to follow, and for awhile at least you're likely to find yourself at sea as the authors switch from one subject to another in kaleidoscopic fashion. In fairness, the evidence does seem by its nature to be complex and often ambiguous. Prepare to bring patience when you open the book; eventually, a sort of mosaic picture does emerge.

Picknett and Prince have certainly gone the whole nine yards in researching the material, quoting from hundreds of written sources and describing their conversations with people who might shed some light on the subjects, and they describe their own travels to relevant sites in the south of France.

Organization is not their strong point, but otherwise they are good writers who don't share the weakness of many occult researchers for trafficking in the obscurity and mystification endemic in the material they study. Further to the authors' credit, they appear to weigh the value of the evidence, and are not averse to rendering the odd skepical judgment on some of it. The numerous references are impressive, although a doubter could argue that quoting from multiple crackpot writings doesn't count for anything.

Whatever you make of all this -- and I confess I'm far from sure what conclusions to draw -- The Templar Revelation suggets convincingly that there has been throughout Western history an "underground" of individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving secret and often heretical beliefs challenging orthodox Christianity. And even if, in the end, you give this study a Scottish verdict of "not proven," you will respect the authors' sincerity and find this historical tour of occultism stimulating.

As one who (often) judges a book by its cover, I must highly commend the designer of the Corgi Books paperback. The main image is an embossed Templar seal overlaid with a version of the ankh; the title in gold foil raised lettering; and the entire cover laminated for an ultra-smooth, almost silky feel. The sensuous surface is a brilliant invitation to the mysteries with which the text deals.

THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS CHRIST?
This is a book about Jesus, the development of Christianity, and the origins of certain heresies and secret or occult traditions. The authors share some interesting theories concerning Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and John the Baptist, supporting their ideas with some thought-provoking evidence from a wide range of sources. Special attention is afforded to the beliefs and traditions of certain well-known secret societies and religious sects.

The first half of the book is less compelling than the second, and deals with a few of the more curious historical characters, myths and legends that are often associated with these topics, and the authors offer a few novel insights. It is worthwhile persevering until the second half of the book, which presents some very interesting theories and is rich in intriguing scraps of information, scriptural contradictions, conspiracy theory, and unsolved mysteries.

Despite the title, the main focus of the book is not the Templars. However, anyone with an interest in the Templars, the history of the crusades, or the occult, should appreciate that experts continue to debate whether or not the alleged Templar heresy was genuine; where the heretical ideas originated and how they might have fitted in with the pursuits of a medieval Christian monastic military order. Some light is shed on these questions in this text, although the authors inexplicably seem to avoid actually stating some of the connections that they appear to be alluding to...

This book is easy to follow, informal and sometimes entertaining, packed with interesting information and ideas, and I would suggest it to any reader who would like to read around the subjects discussed.