Laurence Gardner

Laurence Gardner
Born 17 May 1943
London
Died 12 August 2010 (aged 67)
Nationality British
Occupation author

Laurence Gardner (17 May 1943 – 12 August 2010) was a writer and lecturer in the "alternative history" genre of research.

Career

Laurence Gardner's first book Bloodline of the Holy Grail was published in 1996.[1] The book was serialized in the Daily Mail and a best seller.[2] He used his books to propose several theories, including a belief that Jesus and Mary Magdalene had married and had children, whose descendants included King Arthur and the House of Stuart.[2] In Lost Secrets of the Sacred Ark he claimed that the Ark of the Covenant was a machine for manufacturing "monatomic gold" – a supposed elixir which could be used to extend life.[3] His books also included theories about Freemasonry, the Knights Templar, The Holy Grail and proposed connections between Atenism and Judaism.

Gardner referred to himself as "Chevalier Labhran de Saint Germain", and "Presidential Attache to the European Council of Princes" (the existence of which cannot be verified[4]) also "Prior of the Celtic Churches Sacred Kindred of Saint Columbia".[5] He also claimed to be Jacobite Historiographer Royal of the Royal House of Stewart. He was a supporter of Michael Lafosse, in particular his claims to be descended from the House of Stuart, which Gardner claimed was descended from Jesus Christ.[6][7]

Historians and scholars regard him as a conspiracy theorist,[8] and treat his work as pseudohistory.[6] Michel Lafosse's claims have been dismissed.[9]

Laurence Gardner was also known in the United States for his radio phone-ins.[2]

It was announced on his personal website that he had died on 12 August 2010 after a prolonged illness.[10]

His book, The Origin of God, was published in 2010 as a print on demand book from the Dash House Publishing Company[11] set up by his widow. It is described as "a biographical exploration of the deiform character variously known as Yahweh, Allah, or simply The Lord. It seeks to uncover and evaluate his original identity...".[12] His final book Revelation of the Devil, a companion to The Origin of God, was published by Dash in 2012.

Personal life

Gardner was born in Hackney, London, he was married to Angela and they had one child together and two children from a previous marriage.[2] He was a stockbroker before taking up writing. Gardner was also an accomplished painter, working alone and with Canadian artist Peter Robson.[2]

Bibliography

See also

References

  1. ↑ Laurence Gardner, Bloodline of The Holy Grail: The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed (Shaftesbury: Element, 1996. ISBN 1-85230-870-2). This was republished as a Leatherbound Illustrated edition in 2000 (Shaftesbury: Element, ISBN 1-86204-726-X). An author's Special Edition, revised and expanded, was published in 2001 (Ottery St Mary: Mediaquest, ISBN 1-903773-06-7).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Laurence Gardner: Alternative historian whose work helped inspire Dan Brown". The Independent. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  3. ↑ Gardner, Lawrence (2004). Lost Secrets of the Sacred Ark: Amazing Revelations of the Incredible Power of Gold. ISBN 0-00-714295-1.
  4. ↑ Picknett, Lynn; Prince, Clive (2006). The Sion Revelation : The Truth about the Guardians of Christ's Sacred Bloodline. New York, N.Y.: Touchstone books. pp. 281–84. ISBN 9780743263030.
  5. ↑ Entropic Fine Art Inc – Book
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The man who would be king—from The Guardian, 24 March 1999
  7. ↑ Two reviews of Gardner's book Bloodline of the Holy Grail
  8. ↑ Damian Thompson, Counterknowledge (2008), Clive Cheeseman, Jonathan Williams, Rebels, Pretenders & Impostors (2000), Kevin McClure, Gullible's Travels, reviewing Gardner's book The Shadow of Solomon for Fortean Times No 203 (November 2005); and Time for Suspension of Belief, reviewing Gardner's book The Magdalene Legacy for Fortean Times No 198 (July 2005), stating that Gardner doesn't respond to inquiries relating to the contents of his books.
  9. ↑ http://homepage.eircom.net/~seanjmurphy/chiefs/lafosse.htm, Report on the Pedigree of Michel Lafosse, Styled Prince Michael of Albany
  10. ↑ "Chronicles of the Holy Grail – Official announcement". gral.co.uk – The official website of Laurence Gardner. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  11. ↑ "Dash House Publishing Company". Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  12. ↑ "Book – The Origin of God". Dash House Publishing.

External links