Unmasking The Priory of Sion Hoax

The Priory of Sion Exposed as a Hoax

On April 8, 1956, Pierre Plantard, a French con artist, founded the Priory of Sion in Annemasse, France. This event would later influence Dan Brown's bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code. Plantard's creation was about to deceive many, including the famous author.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think the Priory of Sion is an ancient secret society that protected the Merovingian bloodline and the Holy Grail. The standard story goes that this mysterious organization has been hiding in plain sight for centuries, pulling the strings of history from behind the scenes. This narrative has been perpetuated by various books and media, including Dan Brown's work.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Robert Richardson argues in his 2006 book, The Real History of the Priory of Sion, that Pierre Plantard fabricated the entire story of the Priory. On May 22, 1956, Plantard registered the Priory of Sion as a cultural and historical society, but there is no evidence of any activity before this date. According to historian Paul Smith, in his 2010 article "The Priory of Sion: A Historical Analysis," Plantard's goal was to create a convincing narrative to attract attention and money. The Priory's alleged connection to the Knights Templar was entirely made up by Plantard, as evidenced by the lack of any primary sources supporting this claim. By 1970, Plantard was already using the Priory to promote his own interests, and by 1980, he had created an elaborate web of fake documents and stories. Historians like Peter Partner, in his 1981 book The Murdered Magicians, and Richard Leigh, in his 1983 book The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, have thoroughly debunked the Priory's claims, yet the myth persists. The fact that Dan Brown fell for this hoax is a testament to the power of Plantard's creation, but a thorough examination of the evidence reveals the truth behind the Priory of Sion.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Pierre Plantard and Philippe de Chérisey deliberately fabricated the Priory of Sion story, creating a complex web of fake documents and pseudohistorical accounts. The French press initially picked up the story, but soon lost interest as the hoax began to unravel. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church and other institutions chose to remain silent, likely to avoid drawing more attention to the controversy. A key reason this history was not thoroughly examined until much later is that many relevant documents were intentionally destroyed or hidden by those involved in the hoax, making it difficult for researchers to uncover the truth. As a result, the story of the Priory of Sion was relegated to the fringes of historical discourse, allowing it to simmer as a conspiracy theory.

The Ripple Effect

The Priory of Sion hoax had concrete consequences, including the creation of a thriving industry of pseudohistorical books and documentaries. Dan Brown's bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code is a direct result of this hoax, as it heavily drew upon the fabricated history of the Priory of Sion. The success of Brown's book, in turn, led to a surge in tourism to locations mentioned in the novel, such as the Louvre Museum in Paris. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the increased security measures at the Louvre, which were put in place to manage the large influx of visitors inspired by Brown's book.

The Line That Says It All

The Priory of Sion was formally disbanded in 1957, its leaders later admitting to fabricating the entire story as a publicity stunt.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Priory of Sion and its role in modern conspiracy theories.