Holy Blood, Holy Grail

Holy Blood, Holy Grail is a controversial New York Times bestselling book by authors Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln, which was published in 1982 by Dell (ISBN 055212138). The book followed on from a BBC TV documentary. The Messianic Legacy is the 1987 sequel to Holy Blood, Holy Grail.

Related Topics:
New York Times - Henry Lincoln - 1982

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In brief summary, the authors argue in favor of a conspiratorial view of western history: Jesus may have survived the crucifixion while his wife Mary Magdalene, travelled with their child or children to what is now France, where they established what became the Merovingian dynasty, which is now championed by the Priory of Sion, a secret society.

Related Topics:
Conspiratorial - Jesus - Crucifixion - Mary Magdalene - France - Merovingian - Priory of Sion - Secret society

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An international bestseller upon its release, Holy Blood spurred interest in a number of ideas related to the authors' thesis. Response from mainstream historians and academics, however, was all but universally negative. Critics argue that the bulk of the claims, mysteries and conspiracies presented as fact were rather concocted by the authors, making Holy Blood a work of pseudohistory.

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