The Templar Magician - a perfect Autumnal read

I am truly looking forward to the publication of “The Templar Magician” this month. I think the time of the year and the season suits its very dramatic plot about the blackest of witchcraft and the most sinister of murders.

There is something about an English Autumn which recalls the seasons of ghosts and dramatically defines the way life, like the seasons, change. I still dream of that novel, still fascinated by those grisly remains found in that secret Templar holding deep in the heart of England.

Templars and the return of Hugh Corbett!

In December, Headline will be publishing “The Templar Magician” a sequel to “The Templar”.

This is a vividly dramatic plot played out against the bloody background of Palestine and twelfth century England where the dark and deep desires of the power-hungry twist and turn to achieve their ends. A novel based firmly on fact, “The Templar Magician” also speculates on the truth behind the macabre finds in the crypt of the Temple church at Temple Bruer in Lincolnshire and the chilling ghost stories surrounding the manor of Borley in Essex….

In June 2010 – the next Hugh Corbett will appear: “The Mysterium”

February 1304, a mysterious, savage assassin has returned to prowl the cold narrow alleyways of both London and Westminster. The Mysterium, a cunning killer, was apparently unmasked many years earlier so, why has he returned? Or is someone else imitating his brutal methods? The Mysterium re-emerges during a time of scandal and crisis. Walter Evesham, Chief Justice in the Court of King’s Bench, has fallen from power accused of bribery and corruption. Evesham has fled for sanctuary to the Abbey of Syon on Thames to live as a recluse and make reparation for his past sins. The Mysterium however, has not forgotten the former Chief Justice. Eudo Longstreet, the Chief Justice’s Clerk is murdered. On his victim’s brow the Mysterium carved his notorious insignia before lashing Longstreet to a corpse cut down from a gibbet and rolling both of them into the Thames. The following morning Evesham is found gruesomely murdered in his cell at Syon Abbey.

Despite all his precautions and protection, Evesham proves to be another victim of the malevolent Mysterium. Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the King’s Secret Seal, together with his clerk Ranulf-atte-Newgate, are ordered to investigate these hideous murders, hunt down the Mysterium and bring him justice. Corbett reluctantly agrees, aware that he is not only to resolve the murderous mayhem of the day but to search out the roots of more ancient sins which have secretly festered over the years before yielding their own heinous fruit. Corbett moves from the grandeur of Westminster and the hallowed serenity of London’s great churches and abbeys to the fetid runnels and sinister sanctuary places of those who constantly hide from the light and cloak their murderous deeds in the deepest darkness.

The Mysterium proves to be a shrewd, cunning adversary. Corbett has to pit all his wit and strength in his deadly confrontation against this most murderous soul.

I hope readers will love each of these novels!

Merry Christmas - Past and Present

Christmas 1307 and Christmas 2007 how life very rarely changes! In December 1307 Edward II was keeping court in and around Westminster where he and his council were facing a crisis. He had signed a treaty to go to France and marry Isabella daughter of Philip IV. Edward did not wish to go and he had no real desire to marry Isabella, much preferring to stay at home with his good friend Peter Gaveston.

Bearing in mind my recent publication of 'The Templar', Edward of England was resisting attempts by France and the Papacy to force him to arrest all Templars in England. If only Edward had held his ground that great mysterious order might never have been extinguished…. It's lovely to ruminate about the past and ask, "what if?"

In the meantime, I wish all my readers and those who visit this site a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2008.

The Templars - a lifelong fascination!

At the end of November I am bringing out a new book "The Templar" a story which has haunted my imagination since childhood. I have always been fascinated by the First Crusade, a movement of literally tens of thousands of people from Western Europe who simply "downed tools" and marched east to free Jerusalem . It's one of the most incredible journeys I have ever read, evoking comparison with the Long March in China.

What strikes me as both compelling and fascinating about the march is the absolute heroism, courage and ferocious bravery of both sides in the ensuing conflict. What is equally fascinating is that there were as many reasons for the Crusade as there were crusaders, reflecting the best and worst in humanity. All in all a truly gripping story.

What attracted me as a historian is that quite a few of those who went on the crusade kept diaries and journals, so its almost like watching a film when you study them. Another intriguing aspect of the crusade was that many women also marched and later displayed the most remarkable courage and stamina.

The story of "The Templar" is told through the eyes of one such woman, Eleanor de Payens, the sister of Hugh de Payens, the founder of the Templar Order. This brings me to my second fascination. The Templar Order were a very mysterious group, [they had female members during the early years!]

There have been countless stories about the Templars and the curse levelled against those who destroyed the order. Was there such a curse? I used to disbelieve this until I did my doctorate on Isabella, daughter of Philip IV of France, the King who destroyed the Templars, and I found the curse! Within fourteen years of the Templars' destruction the following happened:

• All three wives of Philip IV sons committed adultery and were removed.
• All three sons married again – not one of them beget a healthy living male heir.
• Isabella, Philip's daughter, married the King of England to bring peace between England and France. The reverse happened, because all of Philip's sons died without a male heir, Isabella's child [Edward III] claimed the throne of France and plunged both countries into the bitter Hundred Year War.
• Pope Clement V, who sanctioned the end of the Templars, died of bowel cancer and his corpse burst into flames.
• De Marigny – Philip's first minister fell from power and was hanged…

I could go on and on. Basically, most of those involved in the death of the Grand Master Jacques de Molay died horrible deaths. The Templars do fascinate me. I hope, if you read "The Templar" out this November, you'll find the same!