The Temple and the Lodge
Encyclopedia
The Temple and the Lodge (UK ISBN 0-552-13596-8) is a book co-written by Michael Baigent
and Richard Leigh
that claims to trace a link between the suppressed Knights Templar
and modern day Freemasonry
.
The thesis of the book is that after the Knights Templar were suppressed for heresy
at the bequest of the King of France
some elements found refuge in Scotland
where they helped the Scots in their fight for independence from the English.
It also claims that many of the people behind the American Revolution were Freemasons, as were some of the less successful British commanders such as Howe
and Cornwallis
.
The book is usually described as "speculative history", although the Borders chain lists it as "Pseudohistory".
Michael Baigent
Michael Baigent is an author and speculative theorist who co-wrote a number of books that question mainstream perceptions of history and the life of Jesus. He is best known as co-writer of the book The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail....
and Richard Leigh
Richard Leigh (author)
Richard Harris Leigh was a novelist and short story writer born in New Jersey, USA to a British father and an American mother, who spent most of his life in the UK. Leigh earned a BA from Tufts University, a Master's degree from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D...
that claims to trace a link between the suppressed Knights Templar
Knights Templar legends
The secrecy around the powerful medieval Order of the Knights Templar, and the speed with which they disappeared over the space of a few years, has led to Knights Templar legends. These range from rumors about their association with the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant, to questions about...
and modern day Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
.
The thesis of the book is that after the Knights Templar were suppressed for heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
at the bequest of the King of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
some elements found refuge in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
where they helped the Scots in their fight for independence from the English.
It also claims that many of the people behind the American Revolution were Freemasons, as were some of the less successful British commanders such as Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC was a British army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American War of Independence...
and Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis KG , styled Viscount Brome between 1753 and 1762 and known as The Earl Cornwallis between 1762 and 1792, was a British Army officer and colonial administrator...
.
The book is usually described as "speculative history", although the Borders chain lists it as "Pseudohistory".