News Archive
1 December 2006 - Heroes of Hera
Lynn and Clive's interview on their latest discovery linking the Salvator Mundi of Leonardo da Vinci with the Turin Shroud appears in the current issue of the Italian esoteric magazine Hera. Thanks to Hera's Executive Editor Adriano Forgione.
30 November 2006 - Raider of the Lost Ark
First broadcast, in Canada, of the documentary 'Ark of the Covenant', part of the Legend Hunters series from Escape + Travel Channel (formerly CTV Travel). The film follows Graham Phillips' search for the Ark, and includes an interview with Lynn and Clive about the Knights Templar. Further broadcasts outside Canada are planned for the near future.
30 November 2006 - Light and Sound
The latest edition of Light, the journal of the College of Psychic Studies, features an article by Lynn and Clive about their latest discoveries linking Leonardo da Vinci to the Turin Shroud.
Also available from the College are audio tapes of Lynn and Clive's lecture on 'The Real Da Vinci Code', given in May.
For more information, and to order copies of the journal and tape, see the College's web site, www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk.
11-12 November 2006 - Saunière in Scotland
Saunière Society symposium at Newbattle Abbey College in Dalkeith, Scotland. Lynn and Clive gave their talk on the Turin Shroud at the particularly wide-ranging and stimulating weekend. The speakers included ex-MI5 whistleblowers David Shayler and Annie Machon on several conspiracies, particularly those allegedly surrounding the events of 9/11; Judith Anne Brown, talking about the work of her father, New Testament scholar John Allegro; TV historian Andrew Moffat, and Andrew Sinclair. Continuing the tradition, the symposium ended with a visit to Rosslyn Chapel on the Monday morning, followed by a convivial lunch at the Rosslyn Arms Hotel. (Pictured are some of the authors and speakers at the symposium: left to right David Shayler and Annie Machon, Ashley Cowie, Clive and Lynn, Rat Scabies, John Ritchie.)
28 October 2006 - Happy Anniversary, QuestCon!
Lynn and Clive's talk at QuestCon 2006, the annual event organised and hosted by Andrew Collins, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. A fascinating day, the general consensus was that it was one of the best QuestCons ever! Lynn and Clive spoke on three of their closely related books: Turin Shroud: How Leonardo Da Vinci Fooled History, The Templar Revelation, and The Sion Revelation. Other speakers included Greg Little on the Bimini Road, Geoff Stray on the countdown to 2012, Anthony Murphy on Newgrange and Andrew himself on his new book The Cygnus Mystery.
16 October 2006 - On a TV Screen Near You
Release of The Da Vinci Code DVD, featuring those cameos…
14 October 2006 - South Coast Symposium
Saunière Society symposium, Folkestone. Lynn and Clive described the events that led to their major discovery about da Vinci and the Turin Shroud. Other speakers included Ralph Ellis on 'From Cleopatra to Christ' and Andrew Sinclair on '4000 years of the Bull Cult'.
13 October 2006 - Japanese Love Affair with Leonardo Continues
Lynn and Clive's work on the Turin Shroud was featured in a Japanese TV documentary about The Da Vinci Code made by Media Busters in Tokyo.
12 October 2006 - Portuguese Sion
The Portuguese translation of The Sion Revelation (O Segredo de Sião) is now available - and already in its second edition!
4 October 2006 - Small but Perfect
Launch in France of J'ai Lu's pocket edition of The Stargate Conspiracy (La porte des étoiles).
30 September 2006 - Lucifer in Japan
Lynn's The Secret History of Lucifer has been launched in Japan.
21 September 2006 - Spanish Shroud
The new edition of Turin Shroud had been bought by Martinez Roca in Spain, Lynn and Clive are pleased to announce.
21 September 2006 - The Sion Revelation Launched in Italy
The first foreign-language edition of The Sion Revelation has been published in Italy by Sperling and Kupfer Editori, under the title La missione del Priorato di Sion.
13 September 2006 - Greek Mysteries
An interview with Lynn and Clive, covering various issues raised by The Templar Revelation and The Da Vinci Code, is featured on the Greek web site Mysteries (mysteries.b2w.gr).
12 September 2006 - Serbian Sales
Rights to both Turin Shroud and The Sion Revelation in Serbia have been bought by Alnari.
15 August 2006 - New Saunière Society Lecture Dates
As always, Lynn and Clive are delighted to have been invited by the Saunière Society to speak at their two Autumn symposia, this time on the subject of 'Leonardo da Vinci and the Turin Shroud'. The first is on Saturday, 14 October at Newington Village Hall, Folkestone, the other speakers including Henry Lincoln, Rat Scabies and Andrew Sinclair, and the second is on the weekend of 11-12 November at Newbattle Abbey near Edinburgh, where the other speakers include Henry Lincoln, former Rosslyn Chapel curator Judith Fiskin and Dr Hugh Thomas, author of two books on Rudolf Hess, among others. For full details and to book for both events, see www.sauniere-society.org.
12 August 2006 - Congratulations!
Lynn and Clive's friend and frequent co-researcher from the very beginning of their joint career, Craig Oakley, married Rachel Moon. Lynn was delighted to be asked to read ee cummings' 'I Carry Your Heart With Me'. Congratulations and best wishes to Rachel and Craig for a long and happy life!
28 July - 6 August 2006 - Rennes-le-Château Revisited
For the first time in several years Lynn and Clive returned to the celebrated and mysterious village of Rennes-le-Château in the Languedoc, south-western France. Initially they were there for the birthday party of punk drummer-turned-Grailhunter Rat Scabies (with Lynn, left) - which was, as expected, enormous fun - which was held in the priest Saunière's former garden (now a restaurant run by researcher and author Jean-Luc Robin).
Lynn and Clive also took the opportunity to spend a few days catching up with developments in the village and meeting up with friends old and new - as well as Rat and his family, Henry Lincoln (right), documentary-makers Stewart Ferris and Katia Milani, and many other familiar faces from the Saunière Society, including Joy and John Millar (Rat's mum and dad).
26 July 2006 - The Mystery of Rennes-le-Château
Summersdale Productions have released a new DVD, The Mystery of Rennes-le-Château, written and presented by Stewart Ferris and produced by Katia Milani. The hour-long film features interviews with Lynn and Clive, along with other researchers including Henry Lincoln and the late Graham Simmans. This highly-recommended DVD is available on the Shop page.
25 July 2006 - Templar Revelation - A Decade On
Lynn and Clive are utterly delighted that a major ambition will be fulfilled. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Templar Revelation a revised and updated edition is to be launched in the UK in Spring 2007. The new edition will include an extensive update section of exciting new discoveries from ten more years of research.
23 July 2006 - Beyond Belief
Radio 4's Beyond Belief broadcast, with Lynn discussing Mary Magdalene.
14 July 2006 - Shroud in Poland
Polish rights to the new edition of Turin Shroud have been sold to Albatros.
2 July 2006 - Terminal delays
Despite the best efforts of Lynn and Clive and their agent, Jeffrey Simmons, on this side of the Atlantic and event organiser James Rishky - plus a Congressman and immigration specialist - on the other, Picknett and Prince finally had to admit defeat. Even their rescheduled talk in Portland, Oregon, for James’ The Da Vinci Series will no longer take place. Apart from inexplicable delays in processing what should have been routine paperwork, essential documents were repeatedly lost, and wrong advice and contradictory information given, leading to appointments for Lynn and Clive’s visa interviews at the US Embassy being rescheduled three times, right up to the wire. All deadlines having passed, to their great disappointment it is not now possible for them to make any of the rescheduled dates. However, Lynn and Clive are very grateful to James for his graciousness and incredibly hard work in organising and publicising the event - and hope, should the US authorities ever let them into the country, at the very least to buy him a large drink! They also sympathise with all those who bought tickets for the event.
28 June 2006 – A new Sphere
Lynn and Clive’s UK publisher Time Warner Books have announced that – following the group’s takeover by Hachette – in September they will be changing their name to Sphere.
27 June 2006 - Beyond Belief in Manchester
Lynn took part in a panel discussion on the subject of Mary Magdalene for Radio 4’s Beyond Belief at the BBC’s Manchester studios. The other panellists were author Timothy Freke (down the line from Bristol) and Biblical scholar Bridget Gilfillan Upton - the latter providing a fascinating discussion on the train back to London's Euston. The programme will be broadcast at a future date.
26 June 2006 – Fortean Times
The July issue of Fortean Times – a special edition relating to The Da Vinci Code – has a major feature by Lynn and Clive on ‘The Real Priory of Sion’ and a page on the Turin Shroud and Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi (as well as a wonderful pastiche of da Vinci’s Last Supper by Alex Tomlinson on the cover, with various characters from the Priory of Sion story taking the place of the apostles – worth buying for that alone!).
23 June 2006 – Portland Lecture Cancelled
Owing to inordinate bureaucratic delays in processing the paperwork required by US Immigration, with great regret and much frustration Lynn and Clive have had to cancel their lecture in the Da Vinci Series in Portland, Oregon, that was due to take place on 28 June. They, and organiser James Rishky, hoped right to the wire that the necessary documentation would arrive. Lynn and Clive send their apologies to those who’d bought tickets to the event, but it really was due to circumstances beyond their, and the organiser’s, control. James is currently working hard to reschedule the event, hopefully within the next few weeks. See this site and davinciseries.com for updates.
20 June 2006 – Elderhostel Revisited
The last, for this season, of Lynn and Clive’s regular evening talks to Elderhostel’s Da Vinci Code tour groups. As always, great fun.
20 June - Magdalene in Bulgaria
Lynn was delighted to record an interview for major Bulgarian channel BTV to be included in their discussion programme on the subject of Mary Magdalene. This was something of a trailblazer for the publication of her Mary Magdalene: Christianity’s Hidden Goddess by Kragozor Publishing in autumn 2006. Thanks to Ilina at Kragozor and Eryl Humphrey Jones at Constable and Robinson for arranging the interview.
19 June 2006 – Under the Rose
The latest issue of Sub Rosa online magazine, edited by Greg Taylor of the indispensable Daily Grail web site, contains an article by Lynn and Clive on the Rennes-le-Château mystery. The magazine is free – although donations to enable it to continue are encouraged – and can be downloaded from subrosa.dailygrail.com.
15 June 2006 – Shroud in China
Lynn and Clive are thrilled that rights to Turin Shroud in China have been bought by the Orient Publishing Center – their first translation into Chinese. Thanks to Andy Hine at Little, Brown for closing the deal.
12 June 2006 - Interview for The Oregonian
Lynn and Clive were interviewed via the phone by Jeff Baker for The Oregonian newspaper in the lead-up to their forthcoming talk for The Da Vinci Series in Portland.
8 June 2006 – Shroud in Japan
The new, revised edition of Turin Shroud has been sold to Hakusuisha, Japanese publishers of the original 1994 edition.
1 June 2006 – La Revelación de los Templarios
Martinez Roca launched the pocket edition of the Spanish translation of The Templar Revelation, the original large-format edition having been reprinted some eleven times since 1998.
31 May 2006 - Mesmerised in Museum Street
A motley crew of artists, collectors, occultists and writers gathered at the world-famous Atlantis Bookshop in London's Museum Street to celebrate the last night of the Austin Osman Spare (1888-1956) exhibition. A wild character of extraordinary talents, his works - of differing styles over the years - still have the power to mesmerise and inspire. Thanks to the shop’s proprietors, Geraldine and Bali Beskin, for organising this splendid event.
31 May 2006 – Greek Shroud
Livani, the Greek publisher of The Templar Revelation, have bought the rights to the new edition of Turin Shroud.
30 May - A venerable institution
Lynn and Clive spoke on ‘The Real Da Vinci Code’, with the added bonus of the new Shroud discovery, to the venerable College of Psychic Studies in South Kensington, London to a large and apparently very appreciative audience. Thanks to Octavia Kenny for organising what was a delightful and memorable evening.
29 May 2006 – Another repeat
Channel 5’s The Da Vinci Code Myth, again featuring a (heavily edited) interview with Lynn, was rebroadcast
28 May 2006 – Grail Trail again
The Southbank Show’s ‘Grail Trail’ documentary, featuring Lynn, was repeated on ITV1.
24 May 2006 – Más Allá
The Spanish magazine Más Allá carried an article by Lynn and Clive on the Da Vinci Code trial.
22 May 2006 – Radio Scotland
In another movie tie-in, in the morning Lynn appeared on The MacAuley and Co show on Radio Scotland, describing the experience of filming the cameo. (Clive was due on as well, but was defeated by Monday morning traffic on his way to Broadcasting House, arriving breathless just as the item finished.)
20 May 2006 – Culture Shock
BBC2’s Culture Show and anything that was remotely pro-Da Vinci Code was always going to be a combustible mixture - as, indeed, Lynn's appearance on 20 May proved. This was the perfect opportunity for the Arts Establishment to sneer at the world of Dan Brown and Picknett and Prince - and they seized it with both hands, although resorting to astoundingly blatant underhand tactics to do so.
When recording her interview, Lynn had repeatedly stated that she was talking about the Louvre version of Leonardo’s Madonna of the Rocks (pictured left) when revealing the giant phallus rearing up from the Virgin’s head to the skyline. In fact, the director, Victoria Page, promised to feature that version of the painting and not the one in London’s National Gallery (pictured right), as Lynn explained that although the feature is present in both versions, it is much more noticeable in the French one. Perhaps all too predictably, however, the broadcast programme used the London version - i.e. the wrong painting - making it so much easier for presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon, an art historian, to dismiss the phallus as fantasy.
Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks (Louvre version - left, London version - right)
Although Victoria Page claims that she has no memory of promising to feature the Louvre painting, in Lynn and Clive’s view this was deliberate misrepresentation, and as a result she has made a formal complaint to the BBC.
A&E also broadcast the Illuminating Angels and Demons documentary made by UFO Global Media (previously available as a retail DVD), which features contributions by Lynn and Clive.
19 May 2006 – Temples, Psychics and Science
Another new experience for Lynn and Clive as they acted as tour guides for the Elderhostel party on a visit to London’s Temple Church (the regular guide for this part of the tour not being able to make it). The Church is a major location in The Da Vinci Code, book and movie.
In the evening Lynn and Clive appeared on LBC radio’s The Psychic Show, hosted by Becky Walsh and Chris Hawkins, talking about how The Templar Revelation inspired The Da Vinci Code.
An article on Lynn and Clive’s work on the Turin Shroud, especially their groundbreaking discovery connecting Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi with the Shroud, was featured on the First Science web site (www.firstscience.com). Thanks to editor Sandrine Ceurstemont for this.
18 May 2006 – At last, THE Movie!
At last - the moment of truth. Would The Da Vinci Code movie still include the scene with Lynn and Clive on the top deck of a number 11 with Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou, or would their moment of fame (Lynn and Clive’s, not Tom and Audrey’s) be a thing of dust on the cutting room floor? There wasn’t a London premiere (the stars and director being in Cannes), but Lynn and Clive were invited to the next best thing, the Cast and Crew Screening in the Odeon West End in Leicester Square the night before the film went on general release. Actually so engrossed by the action, they nearly missed themselves - but yes, not only are they there, but the camera manages to give the impression they’re almost the only people on the bus apart from the principals. (Not so - the bus was packed with extras.) It was a very good moment in the history of P & P - and there was a bonus. The only real book in the movie, as opposed to those allegedly written by Robert Langdon, is Lynn’s Mary Magdalene, which Ian McKellen’s character Sir Leigh Teabing clutches close to the camera at one point.
17 May 2006 – Dan Brown’s Mentors?
Items about Lynn and Clive’s cameos in The Da Vinci Code movie appeared in the Daily Express (featured with their review of the movie) and Hugo Rifkind’s People column in The Times (which described them as ‘Dan Brown’s Mentors’ – which is perhaps going a little far!).
16 May 2006 – Elderhostel Evening
The second of Lynn and Clive’s evenings lecturing to a party from Elderhostel Tours. An extremely enjoyable evening all round.
10 May 2006 – The Da Vinci Debate
Lynn and Clive found themselves in unfamiliar territory, at the Christian Resources Exhibition - a sort of Christian Ideal Home Exhibition, only with vestments and (non-alcoholic) communion wine instead of novelty toasters and patio furniture. Lynn was roped in for a live interview on Sky News, along with Robin Griffiths-Jones, Master of the Temple (Church). Then on to the panel discussion, where P & P were joined by Father Peter Malone, Catholic media commentator; David Couchman, evangelical theologian; the Master of the Temple, and Ruth Gledhill, Times columnist and host. All too predictable, and the audience seemed less interested in The Da Vinci Code and its implications than in grabbing the mic to bear their Christian testimony. Still, it was good practice!
9 May 2006 – Speaking Up for Leonardo
Lynn was filmed for an item on Leonardo da Vinci in the BBC’s Culture Show – tied in to The Da Vinci Code movie release – which is to be broadcast on 20 May.
2 May 2006 – Hunting a Legend
Just to prove there really is no rest for the wicked, while at Coombe Abbey Lynn and Clive were filmed with Graham Phillips for a documentary on his search for the Ark of the Covenant, a programme in the Legend Hunters series to be broadcast on the Travel Channel in the autumn.
1 May 2006 – The Alchemical Wedding
A May Day to remember - off to the remarkable country house hotel, Coombe Abbey near Coventry, to participate in the extraordinary wedding of close friends Deborah Benstead and Yvan Cartwright. Meticulously and lovingly planned to the last minute detail, it took the form of a re-enactment of the marriage of James I’s daughter Elizabeth to Frederick V of Bohemia in 1613 - a true Rosicrucian-alchemical wedding, celebrating the magical and universal balance of male and female energies. With jewels and feathers in her hair, and a version of Princess Elizabeth’s dress - complete with bustle, train and embroidered Rosy-cross on her bodice - Debbie was a spectacularly beautiful and striking bride, and Yvan most dashing in flared gold floor-length coat, the design based on a 17th-century hunting coat. The ceremony was presided over by author Graham Phillips (pictured with the happy couple), with ringing voice and commanding presence, and erudite esotericist Paul Weston. Lynn was Chief Bridesmaid (in shimmery moon-coloured silver), representing the element of Air (which traditionally rules the art of writing), and Clive, as her escort and one of the witnesses, wore a black floor-length coat of the same design as the groom’s. The audience of friends and family were utterly rapt as this exceptional event unfolded. Lynn read ‘What is Love?’ by Krishnamurti at the civil ceremony, before the day exploded into jollity with a medieval banquet and a disco. We wish Debbie and Yvan a happy life together!
30 April 2006 – Sunday in Oregon
Lynn and Clive’s appearance on The Sunday Magazine broadcast on the five Clear Radio Stations in Portland, Oregon. The station is also streamed live on www.1190KEX.com.
29 April 2006 - Unconventional
Lynn and Clive opened the annual Fortean Times Unconvention, with their talk on the ‘Priory of Sion: The Facts and the Fiction’ and a mini-presentation of their big Shroud discovery.
27 April 2006 – Reuters Reveal
Lynn and Clive were interviewed by Reuters TV on their discovery about Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi and the Turin Shroud, for general syndication.
24 April 2006 – Da Vinci’s Code
The documentary Da Vinci’s Code, featuring appearances by Lynn and Clive, broadcast in the USA on the National Geographic Channel. (Details of broadcasts outside the US to follow.)
23 April 2006 – Bestseller cynicism?
Clive appeared on BBC WM in Birmingham’s Sunday Breakfast Show hosted by Robert Beckford, in a debate about the issues raised by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Easter sermon criticising the ‘cynicism’ of books such as The Da Vinci Code. The other contributors were novelist Michael Dobbs, author of House of Cards and a series of novels on Winston Churchill (something of a buzz, as he’s one of Clive’s favourites), Claire McDonald from Opus Dei and the Muslim commentator Abid Baig.
21 April 2006 – More Oregon Radio
Lynn and Clive recorded second radio interview to promote the Da Vinci Series, this time with Mike Phillips of The Sunday Magazine, on the five Clear Channel Radio Stations in Portland, Oregon (1190KEX, 620KPOJ, K-103, KIJZ and Z-100). It will be broadcast on Sunday, 30April at 6.30 PDT – it’s also being streamed at www.1190KEX.com.
19 April 2006 – Kink FM
US radio interview promoting the Da Vinci Series of lectures - for which Lynn and Clive will be speaking in June - with Inessa at Oregon’s Kink FM.
19 April 2006 - Metro
Article in the London Metro on Lynn and Clive's new discovery about Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi and the Turin Shroud. Strangely, and disappointingly, though, no mention of the actual book!
12 April 2006 – The Masks of Christ, US
The Masks of Christ has been signed in America by Touchstone (the imprint of Simon and Schuster that publishes The Templar Revelation and The Sion Revelation), Lynn and Clive are pleased to announce.
10 April 2006 – Big Bite
Appearance on Eire’s The Big Bite (RTÉ), on a discussion panel about The Da Vinci Code weighted somewhat in favour of the Catholic Church - Catholic priest, journalist and theologian! - but Lynn and Clive did more than hold their own.
9 April 2006 – Saunière Society
Lynn and Clive gave a talk on the Priory of Sion to the Saunière Society, rounded off with a short presentation about their new discovery that links Leonardo da Vinci once and for all with the Shroud of Turin - which prompted a spontaneous burst of applause. The conference was held at Newbattle Abbey College near Edinburgh - very picturesque, although it's easy to forget how basic student accommodation can be! Other speakers included Henry Lincoln (under siege from reporters desperate for his view of the verdict of the Da Vinci Code trial) and Rat Scabies (Chris Millar), formerly drummer of punk band The Damned, and now a self-styled 'Grail hunter'.
7 April 2006 – Judgement Day
At last it was Judgement day in The Da Vinci Code trial: Mr Justice Peter Smith resoundingly dismissing Baigent and Leigh’s case with the momentous words: 'The claimants' claim fails'. There was no copyright infringement. The media sensation – and the many references to The Templar Revelation as the ‘third book’ in the case - led to appearances by Lynn and Clive on Good Morning America and Sky News to discuss the verdict. The media scrum on the steps of the High Court when claimant Richard Leigh appeared unexpectedly (his own barrister seemed to have no idea he was even in the building) was terrifying.
6 April 2006 – The Big Shroud Discovery Goes Public
Publication of the revised Turin Shroud – How Leonardo da Vinci Fooled History in the UK, an event Lynn and Clive had hardly dared hope for, for several years. They celebrated with friends and colleagues at a launch party the night before at their favourite venue, the Irish pub/restaurant the O'Conor Don in Marylebone Lane, central London. Lynn and Clive presented a short show of moving images proving that da Vinci's painting The Salvator Mundi (Saviour of the World, see right side of picture) matches exactly with the image of the man on the Shroud (as seen in the 1935 painting taken from the Shroud by Ariel Aggemian, see left of picture). Lynn and Clive were especially delighted that Keith Prince was among the guests, as his insight and hard, hands-on work in replicating the Shroud characteristics in the early 1990s was absolutely critical to the book's success.
1 April 2006 – Lynn and Clive to Speak at Questing Conference
Lynn and Clive were confirmed for Andrew Collins’ annual Questing Conference, on 28 October. Always one of the highlights of the year, the 'QuestCon' is a unique forum for new, exciting ideas, sometimes off-the-wall but always challenging - and never dull!
31 March 2006 - Return to RILKO
Talk on ‘The Real Priory of Sion’ to the Research into Lost Knowledge Organisation (RILKO), in South Kensington, London. Thanks to Robert Harris and Rob Stevenson for this enjoyable return date among old friends.
28 March 2006 - A Room in Bloomsbury
The first of Lynn and Clive's series of evening talks to members of the American Elderhostel tour of senior travellers, here as part of whistle-stop tour of Da Vinci Code sites. Lynn and Clive gave two talks, the first on The Real Priory of Sion, then, after an enjoyable dinner, The Secret World of Leonardo da Vinci. Although a few of the guests found the revelation of his reverence for John the Baptist as superior to Jesus rather strong stuff, most of the audience were stimulated and fascinated, giving glowing feedback. The evening took place at the Kenilworth Hotel, near the British Museum, in Bloomsbury, central London.
21 March 2006 – Templar Revelation to be re-launched in Brazil
Planeta Brasil are to bring out a new edition of The Templar Revelation in Brazil.
17 & 20 March 2006 – The Sensational Da Vinci Code Trial Ends
Lynn and Clive were in a packed Court 61 to hear the closing submissions by both sides. Judge Peter Smith reserved judgement, to be delivered before Easter.
16 March 2006 – Lynn and Clive to Speak at Fortean Times Unconvention
Lynn and Clive have been confirmed for the annual Fortean Times Unconvention on the weekend of 29-30 April. They will be giving a presentation on The Priory of Sion: The Facts and the Fiction.
13-15 March 2006 – Dan Brown in the Box
As the High Court case continued, Lynn and Clive were again in Court 61, this time for Dan Brown’s cross-examination by Baigent and Leigh’s QC. In his witness statement, and under cross-examination, a remarkably self-possessed and courteous Dan Brown stated that it was, in fact, The Templar Revelation that was his major inspiration for The Da Vinci Code. This resulted in a much media attention to the book, The Times featuring its front cover in an article on 15 March.
14 March 2006 – Gaston College Roundtable
Clive did an hour-long live interview on Gaston College Roundtable, station WSGE-FM in Charlotte, North Carolina, 'down the line' on The Sion Revelation.
11 March 2006 – Saunière Society
Clive gave a lecture on the Priory of Sion to the Saunière Society’s conference in Folkestone. Unfortunately Lynn was still unwell and wasn’t able to appear.
7-10 March 2006 – Da Vinci Code Trial Continued
Lynn and Clive were back in the High Court as the Da Vinci Code trial resumed (although Lynn missed the last couple of days as she was unwell). Most of the four days were devoted to the cross-examination of Michael Baigent, who endured three and a half days of searching, 'forensic' questions by the defence’s barrister, Mr John Baldwin QC - an unenviable situation and a sorry spectacle. Richard Leigh was also cross-examined, although only for a couple of hours. A pleasant surprise was meeting Javier Sierra, author of The Secret Supper – a novel also based on the hidden heresy in Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings, which has been a huge success in Javier’s native Spain, and just published in the UK and USA. Javier was in London promoting The Secret Supper and couldn’t miss the chance to see the courtroom drama. Dan Brown and Javier Sierra in one tiny courtroom!
1 March 2006 – Sion in Bulgaria
Bulgarian rights to The Sion Revelation sold to the Bard Publishing House.
March 2006 – Russian Edition of Shroud
Russian translation of Turin Shroud published, by Eskmo. (A translation of the 2000 revised edition.)
27-28 February 2006 – Da Vinci on Trial
Start of the High Court case brought by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, two of the authors of The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, against Random House, UK publishers of The Da Vinci Code – a case with important implications for all writers. Brown (pictured negotiating a route through the media outside the High Court), Baigent and Leigh were present, together with top representatives of Random House. Lynn and Clive were also in the courtroom to follow proceedings at first hand, having successfully fought the media scrum for seats in the small and stuffy modern Court 61 - soon discovering that the proceedings were curiously addictive. The first two days were taken up with opening submissions and wrangling over procedural matters, before the judge, Peter Smith, adjourned for a week to give him the chance to read all the books involved – not just The Holy Blood and The Da Vinci Code, but the other books Brown used as source material, including The Templar Revelation.
28 February 2006 – Lucifer Returns, USA
US release of the paperback edition of Lynn’s The Secret History of Lucifer, by Carrol and Graf.
28 February 2006 – More American Radio
Continuing promotion for The Sion Revelation in the States: Lynn and Clive were interviewed on the Morning Show, radio KDTR-FM, in Missoula MT and AM Kansas City, KCMO. They also taped an interview with Charles Campbell on Success Talk Radio, WISW-AM in Columbia SC.
27 February 2006 – Sion in Hungary
Hungarian rights to The Sion Revelation sold, to Goldbook.
22 February 2006 – The New Book
Lynn and Clive are absolutely thrilled to announce that they have signed with Time Warner Books in the UK for their next book, provisionally entitled The Masks of Christ. Due to be completed in the summer of next year, it will probably be published in 2008. Thanks to their agent, Jeffrey Simmons, for closing the deal.
20-21 February 2006 - Eire
Another crack-of-dawn start for the publicity tour (for The Sion Revelation) of Eire.
Interviewed by the Sunday Independent, Sunday Tribune and Film Ireland magazine, all of which seemed to go well, despite very well-informed and searching questions. The interviews were conducted in the most civilised surroundings, the sumptuous coffee lounge of the Merrion Hotel, three Regency houses knocked together opposite the Irish Parliament in the centre of Dublin. Also rather wide-ranging interviews on Spin Radio and Northern Sound Radio - the discussion opened out into the vexed question of Church cover-ups, always a preoccupation in Ireland. This was followed by a magnificent steak at the Mermaid restaurant, James Street. Unfortunately their appearance on the Gerry Ryan show on RTÉ Radio next morning was cancelled at the last minute (that’s show business!). However, the unexpected free morning gave them the opportunity to visit the memorial to the Magdalene laundresses and their children - a park bench with brass plaque reading 'Reflect here upon their lives' - in St Stephen’s Park (pictured: a very moved Lynn on the bench in the rain). It seemed such a small memorial for such a massive scandal. So much human agony and terror encapsulated in those simple words. (For details see the first chapter of Lynn's Mary Magdalene: Christianity's Hidden Goddess.)
18 February 2006 – Coast to Coast
Lynn and Clive got up heroically early at 3.30 am for a three-hour appearance about The Sion Revelation with Ian Punnett on US’s Coast to Coast AM. For those who missed it, the show can be downloaded from www.coasttocoastam.com/gen/page1296.html.
16 February 2006 – A Whale of a Time
An hour-long appearance on The James Whale Show on Talksport radio, 11am to midnight UK time, talking about The Sion Revelation. James and Lynn and Clive go back a long way - Lynn especially, as she used to be a regular contributor to phone-ins for Talk Radio. Both were very amused by the cross-talk between James and his producer, Adam Webb - and, leaving at around midnight, bumped into the 60s' sensation, the Hollies. Bizarrely, Lynn's cab home was struck hard on the windscreen by a football, but fortunately the driver's reflexes were robust and no harm was done.
16 February 2006 – Da Vinci Series
Lynn and Clive are thrilled to have been invited to appear in the Da Vinci Series of lectures in Portland, Oregon. Speaking on the secret societies featured in The Da Vinci Code, theirs is the third of the three weekly lectures in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, on 28 June 2006 (the others being by Elaine Pagels, author of the classic The Gnostic Gospels and art historian Jeannine O’Grody). Thanks to organiser James Rishky for arranging this. For more details, see davinciseries.com.
15 February 2006 – Cable Talk
Lynn and Clive appeared on Cable Talk, hosted by Jack Roberts, on America’s Cable Radio Network, talking about The Sion Revelation.
12 February 2006 – Losing Faith
Lynn and Clive’s appearance on BBC Radio Suffolk’s The Faith Programme was cancelled at the last minute because of a breaking local news story. Sitting with headphones on in an almost completely empty Broadcasting House before returning home, mission unaccomplished, was not the ideal way to spend a cold and wet early Sunday morning.
10 February 2006 – Radio Tour of UK
Various promotional appearances on UK radio: Annie Othen Programme, BBC Coventry and Warwickshire; John Uphoff Show, BBC Radio Jersey; Jerry Scott Show, BBC Radio York - at last! For some reason Lynn has always been ignored by the media of her home city - John Turner Show, BBC Radio Bristol (taped for later broadcast). Thanks for Jenny Fry at Time Warner for organising this.
7 February 2006 – Sion Launched, USA
Official launch of The Sion Revelation in USA.
6 February 2006 – Two Portlands
Tapied interviews for Morning Show, WMGX-FM Portland (ME), and KEX Morning Update, KEX-AM Portland (OR).
5 February 2006 – Conversations with Peter Solomon
Interviewed on Conversations with Peter Solomon, WIP-AM Philadelphia (PA).
3 February 2006 – Philadelphia and Milwaukee
Interviewed on the Joe Thomas Show, WCOJ-AM Philadelphia (PA). (Also taped interview for the Morning Show with Greg Berg,WGTD-FM Milwaukee, to be broadcast late next week.)
2 February 2006 – Corpus Christi and Philadelphia
Interviewed on the Eric Von Wade Show, KEYS-AM Corpus Christi TX. (Also taped broadcast for Morning Report, KYW-AM Philadelphia PA.)
2 February 2006 – Sion Launched!
Official launch of The Sion Revelation in UK.
31 January 2006 – Sion in Romania
Romanian rights to The Sion Revelation sold, to RAO, one of Romania’s biggest publishers. Details of publication date, etc, to follow.
31 January 2006 – Breakfast in Minneapolis
Lynn and Clive interviewed on The Breakfast Show on Minneapolis’ WFMP-FM radio.
30 January 2006 – More US Radio
Sion Revelation US radio promotion appearances on Daybreak USA (USA Network national radio), and The Morning Zone (KGAB-AM Cheyenne-Denver WY). (Also taped interview for Gattine and Franz Show, WDST-FM, Albany, NY.)
29 January 2006 – Express Delivery!
A three-page article by Lynn and Clive appeared in the Sunday Express Review, ‘The real dangerous secret of The Da Vinci Code’, which also featured a very small picture of them and a very large picture of Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou from the movie of The Da Vinci Code (see picture). Perhaps it was at last tacit acknowledgement of Picknett and Prince's central role in the whole Da Vinci Code story - or on the other hand, just a good picture?
27 January 2006 – More American Radio
Radio appearances promoting The Sion Revelation on the Morning Show on WOCM-FM (Ocean City, MD) and Drive Time on WKCT-AM (Bowling Green-Nashville). Thanks to Lisa Sciambra at Simon & Schuster and Carly Nyman Fauth at Newman Communications for organising this.
26 January 2006 – Station to Station
American publicity for The Sion Revelation kicked off with a coast-to-coast morning radio ‘tour’, taking in 16 stations throughout the day (including some pre-records for later broadcast). Cities included Chicago, Boston, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee and San Francisco - exhausting, but large glasses of water, glucose tablets and adrenaline gave it a real buzz! Thanks to Lisa Sciambra at Simon & Schuster, and Christina Reilly and Liz Titone at Auric Communications Group, for organising this.
26 January 2006 – Lucifer Returns
The paperback edition of Lynn’s The Secret History of Lucifer has been released in the UK, by Constable.
25 January 2006 – Temple Filming
On a bitterly cold day Lynn and Clive filmed interviews at the Temple Church in London for a documentary linked to Dan Burstein’s Secrets of the Code. Convoluted systems for granting the crew permission to film nearly scuppered the shoot, but all was well in the end.
January 2006 – Russian Revelation
Russian translation of The Templar Revelation published by Moscow’s Eskmo Publishers.
12 December 2005 – Elderhostel Tours
Lynn and Clive are delighted to announce that they have agreed with Elderhostel, the educational tour company for the over-55s, to lecture on the London leg of their Da Vinci Code tour programme throughout 2006. For details see elderhostel.org. Thanks to the highly efficient and congenial Dawn Kelly at Elderhostel for this opportunity.
7 December 2005 – Shroud in America
Lynn and Clive are delighted to announce that Touchstone (the imprint of Simon & Schuster that publishes The Templar Revelation and The Sion Revelation) are to publish the American edition of the revised Turin Shroud, although it won't be released until some time in 2007.
6 December 2005 – More Sion Sales
The Sion Revelation has been sold in Poland (to Albatross) and Greece (Modern Times).
4 December 2005 – Talk at Theosophical Society
Lynn and Clive gave their talk ‘The Real Da Vinci Code’ to a packed audience at the Theosophical Society, at its London headquarters in Gloucester Place. They were especially delighted to have Keith Prince and their friend Debbie Benstead in the audience.
4 December 2005 – Declassified Again
The documentary Da Vinci Declassified, featuring interviews with Lynn and Clive, broadcast in the UK on the Discovery Channel.
30 November 2005 – Turkish Templar
Turkish rights to The Templar Revelation have been sold, to Neden Kitap.
29 November 2005 – Making Myths
Broadcast of Channel 5’s The Da Vinci Code Myth, featuring Lynn. Unfortunately her responses to the more sceptical questions were edited out.
29 November 2005 – Sion in Portugal
Portuguese rights to The Sion Revelation sold to Publicacoes Europa-America (publishers of The Templar Revelation). No details yet on when the translation will be available, but it will probably be in about a year.
11 November 2005 – More Camera Action
Lynn and Clive were interviewed for National Geographic Channel documentary on The Da Vinci Code at the Edwardian Radisson Hotel in Leicester Square, central London. While filming them walking in the square, the camera man suddenly got very excited by the appearance of none other than Ozzy Osbourne in shot!
6 November 2006 – German Shroud Reissue
Lübbe have re-launched the German edition of Turin Shroud (Die Jesus-Fälschung) – unfortunately a straight reprint of the 1994 edition, with none of the more up-to-date material.
3 November 2005 – Sion in Italy
Italian rights to The Sion Revelation have been sold, to Sperling & Kupfer (publishers of Lynn and Clive's other books in Italy).
2 November 2005 – Another Da Vinci Code Documentary
Lynn was interviewed in the rather grand library at the Travellers' Club, Pall Mall, London, for a forthcoming documentary for Channel 5 about The Da Vinci Code, to be broadcast later this month.
30 October 2005 – Da Vinci Declassified
The Learning Channel’s Da Vinci Declassified, featuring interviews with Lynn and Clive, screened in the USA. (Dates of the international broadcast on the Discovery networks have yet to be confirmed).
24 October 2005 – Italian paperback Double Standards
Italian paperback edition of Double Standards (Il Caso Rudolf Hess) published by Sperling & Kupfer.
16 October 2005 – Sion in Spain
Spanish rights to The Sion Revelation have been sold to Martinez Roca (Spanish publishers of The Templar Revelation and Turin Shroud).
14 October 2005 – Brazilian Sales
Brazilian rights to Turin Shroud and The Sion Revelation have been sold to Record.
6 October 2005 – Sion in Russia
Russian rights to The Sion Revelation have been sold to AST, Russian publishers of The Da Vinci Code.
1-2 October 2005 – Weekend in Wigtown
Lynn and Clive appeared as part of the annual Wigtown Book Festival in Scotland, which also featured many other authors including Kate Adie, Max Arthur and George Galloway. They gave two lectures, one on Friendly Fire (in a whisky distillery in Bladnoch – a first!) and the last one of the festival, in a packed hall at the library, on 'The real Da Vinci Code’. A curious place in the wilds of the Galloway peninsula, Wigtown boasted a peculiar plethora of bookshops - second-hand, rare and other bibliophilic specialities - plus an excellent, if idiosyncratic clubroom for speakers, at which lobster and delicious home-made sweets were generously served, even on the morning after a excessive night before. Thanks to festival organiser Finn McCreath for arranging the visit to Wigtown.
27 September 2005 – Angels and Demons
Release of the DVD Illuminating Angels and Demons, the film companion to Simon Cox’s unauthorised guide to Dan Brown’s first Robert Langdon novel, released in the USA (with UK distribution), featuring interviews with Lynn and Clive about the Illuminati and other related subjects.
25 September 2005 – Lynn on the Grail Trail
Broadcast of ITV1’s The Southbank Show’s ‘The Grail Trail’, featuring Lynn. The film followed three Da Vinci Code enthusiasts around key locations in Europe, meeting and quizzing experts on the subjects dealt with in Dan Brown’s novel. After a nightmare journey on Eurostar that was three hours late in reaching Paris and in searing heat, Lynn was filmed in the magnificent Château de Villette, which features in The Da Vinci Code. The night in the Hotel Delavigne was enlivened by the fire alarm going off twice. Thanks to ITV director Matt Cain and the château's manager, Andrew Ryan, for making this trip so enjoyable and memorable.
17 September 2005 – A Day to Remember
The long-awaited Big Day... Lynn and Clive filmed their cameo appearance in The Da Vinci Code movie. Off to an inauspicious start at the crack of a very cold morning on location at Lincoln's Inn Fields, London when they were mistakenly taken to be mere extras (the very idea!). A quick word of explanation - Dan Brown and Ron Howard both thought it was a good joke to have the British authors who inspired so much of The Da Vinci Code lurking anonymously in a scene of the movie - and they were taken to their own trailer, and kept informed of what was happening by one of the Assistant Directors. The big scene involved sitting on the top deck of a number 11 bus immediately behind Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou, and even taking a bit of direction (just reacting to what was going on). The scene involved the bus driving round and round the same circuit of City of London streets about 50 times, a cavalcade of police motorbikes and cars ushering it through red lights. In between takes, Lynn and Clive got the chance to chat to Mr Hanks, who was very sharp-witted, funny and kind, and Ron Howard (pictured with Lynn and Clive), who is utterly devoid of airs and graces and was a delight. On being given a signed copy of The Templar Revelation Tom waved it at the fans on the pavement, mouthing 'Buy this book!' Then, the cherry on the cake, Lynn explained to him that it was Clive's birthday, at which Tom immediately led cast and crew in singing 'Happy Birthday, to you...' It doesn't get much better than that! Perhaps if there's a category for Oscar for 'Best Performance for People Sitting Behind Tom Hanks on a Bus'... Thanks to Toby Hefferman, Talley Singer and Ron Howard, who - despite their incredible workload - had done so much to make this dream come true.