The Priory of Sion Hoax

Dan Brown’s famous book was based on a complete fantasy

Dan Brown’s best-known novel was founded on a myth, but it was a myth which he appeared to believe to be true despite all the evidence to the contrary.

The Da Vinci Code

Readers of Dan Brown’s well-known 2003 novel “The Da Vinci Code” soon become aware that the plot centres on the activities of a secret occult organisation known the “The Priory of Sion”. A murder takes place in the Louvre, Paris, the victim being the Priory’s Grand Master. As the story unfolds we are told that this society has existed for hundreds of years, its mission being to guard the secrets of the origins of Christianity, and in particular the fact that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had descendants who are alive today. Previous Grand Masters had included Leonardo Da Vinci and Sir Isaac Newton.

It is clear from Brown’s preface to the book that he regarded the Priory of Sion as being an historical entity, dating from 1099. He cited as his main source the 1983 book “The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail” by Michael Baigent et al, who claimed to have first-hand evidence of the Priory’s existence and history from its current Grand Master.

Mere invention