Introduction
Since late 2003 Alpheus received much internet traffic
by people looking for information on the Priory of Sion
(PoS) and finding Robert Richardson's article The
Priory of Sion Hoax. This is probably caused by Dan
Brown's best-seller The Da Vinci Code, in which the
author affirms (correctly) the existence of the Priory of
Sion as a "Fact" (p.2), but posits (erroneously)
its exalted status, overlooking all the existing indications
of its fraudulant nature.
Robert Richardson's research finds ample confirmation in
the research done by Paul Smith, but also receives some
critical comments from him. The point of disagreement betweeen
the two researchers is about the status of Pierre Plantard,
the alleged grand Master or grand inventor of the PoS. Richardson
makes the case that Plantard is a "front man"
for more mature and older Catholic groups and individuals,
while Smith thinks that Plantard was an inventive, megalomaniac
"lone nut".
Find below a collection of links relevant to the historical
truth regarding the "Priory of Sion," including
articles by, and a discussion between, the two PoS-experts,
Robert Richardson and Paul Smith.
Articles
The
Priory of Sion Hoax
Article exposing French extreme right-wing forces behind
the Priory of Sion myth. A plausible answer to the many
questions raised by Michael Baigent et.al. in their bestseller
Holy Blood, Holy Grail. Originally published by Gnosis
(No. 51, Spring 1999).
The
Priory of Sion Secret and The Da Vinci Code
[96 KB]. Article on the "illusory society"
the Priory of Sion, its roots in Ultra-Traditionalist Catholicism
and its efforts to take over the esoteric scene by way of
a compelling, though fabricated, overarching narrative.
Priory
of Sion Fake Parchments: History of a Hoax
History and analysis of the two parchments allegedly found
by Sauniere.
Source Materials
Priory
of Sion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Good start.
Beyond
The Da Vinci Code: History and Myth of the Priory of Sion.
By Massimo Introvigne. Thorough paper by a leading scholar
on new religious movements. Paper presented at the 2005
conference of CESNUR (Center for Studies on New Religions)
An
enquiry into the sources of ‘The Da Vinci Code.’
By Marie-France Etchegoin for Le Nouvel Observateur (9 September
2004).
The
Da Vinci Crock. Article by Laura Miller for salon.com
(12/29/04). Author points out the many ideas Brown lifted
from the 1982 bestseller Holy Blood, Holy Grail,
the authors of which are suing Brown for "breach of
copyright." (worth wading through the ads)
Ruling
in the Baigent & Leigh vs. Random House Case
Judgment in the case of Holy Blood, Holy Grail authors
suing Dan Brown for copyright infringement.
Judge:
'Da Vinci Code' did not breach copyright laws
AP article on the judgment, its background and consequences.
Baigent & Leigh appealed, but lost
again.
Bibliography
"Bibliography
on The Priory Of Sion, Rennes-Le-Château, The Da Vinci
Code, Rosslyn Chapel, Landscape Geometry and other modern
myths" by Paul Smith
Reviews
Bloodline
A film by Bruce Burgess (director) and René Barnett
(producer) adding some more fabricated twists and turns
to the Priory of Sion / Rennes-le-Chateau / Jesus' bloodline
issue.
The
Da Vinci Code
Review by Alain Jourdan, who tracked the "old swindle"
of the Priory of Sion from early on and was one of the first
to interview Pierre Plantard.
The
Ruins of a Mystery
Review of Henry Lincoln's The Holy Place: The mystery
of Rennes-le-Château: Discovering the eighth wonder
of the ancient world for Times Literary Supplement by
Paul Bahn.
The
Da Vinci Con
Review of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code for the New
York Times by Laura Miller.
Bloodline
of the Holy Grail: The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed.
By Laurence Gardner. Reviews from Publishers Weekly and
Charles W. Evans-Günther. See also a critical
look at Gardner's Grail King pretender "Prince
Michael of Albany" and a report
commissioned to investigate his claims.
Resources by Paul Smith
Priory
of Sion Debunked.
The
Real Historical Origin of The Priory of Sion.
Pierre
Plantard the Traditionalist Roman Catholic.
Exposing the founder of the Priory of Sion.
Michael
Baigent. Critically examining the main author of Holy
Blood, Holy Grail.
The Richardson-Smith discussion
The discussion between Richardson and Smith went in the
following chronological order:
"The
Priory of Sion Hoax" by Robert Richardson (4/23/03)
"Priory
of Sion Misconceptions: Robert Richardson and Steven Mizrach"
by Paul Smith (Summer 03)
Response
by Robert Richardson (9/7/03)
"The
Robert Richardson Hoax" by Paul Smith (9/8/03)
Response
to Paul Smith by Robert Richardson (9/10/03)
My
Reply to Bob by Paul Smith (9/10/03)
Response
from Robert Richardson to Paul Smith's "The Robert
Richardson Hoax," analyzing five specific criticisms
Paul Smith leveled against him. (1/6/05)
More
Robert Richardson Hoaxes by Paul Smith (n.d.)
Links
The Priory-of-Sion.com
website . Collection of smaller and larger papers and
documents on the mysteries surrounding Rennes-le-Château,
Bérenger Saunière, Priory of Sion, Alpha Galates,
Pierre Plantard, etc. Edited by Paul Smith. See also sister
web site rennes-le-chateau-rhedae.com.
Gazette
and portal of de Rennes-le-Château. "This
portal offers a set of themes to you starting with the history
of the proceedings and the life of Berenger Saunière."
Edited by webmaster "Johan."
Rennes-le-Château
Research and Resource. "This website is dedicated
to giving all the available sources and insights to everyone
with an interest in the Mystery of Rennes-le-Château."
Edited by Corjan de Raaf. He also runs Radio
Rennessence.
Andrew Gough's
Arcadia. "Arcadia provides a perspective on history's
mysteries" including much on Berenger Sauniere. Edited
by Andrew Gough.
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