The study of Rennes-le-Château is rife with ludicrious flights of fancy and leaps of faith. Most theories are completely void of rational thought, let alone the application of Occam’s Razor.
For every well researched theory there are literally dozens of others that have been constructed on suppositions from a bygone era, taken as read by researches too lazy to re-evaluate the facts, visit the source, or think for themselves. Sadly, this has created a void, I believe, maybe even a chasm, with respect to the quality of research being produced.
Today, few dare to think laterally. And who can blame them? The risk of ridicule has proven too great; the backlash against the nonsense, albeit understandable – too severe. As a result, fear reigns, and that is how a genre begins to implode.
I believe that the intellectual property that is Rennes-le-Château research should neither be owned nor controlled by individuals; it needs to be part of an open collective. The respected Rennes-le-Château researcher, Jean-Luc Robin, currently featured in Arcadia’s 17 Questions, impressed this upon me some time ago. As long as credit is given where due, then theories should serve as enablers; pieces of a puzzle for others to build on. That’s all well and fine, but what if critical pieces of the puzzle go undiscovered?
To ensure that critical pieces of the puzzle do not go undiscovered, I am inviting readers to assemble their theories into essays and publish them here, for the review and benefit of the genre. To this end, I am delighted to introduce the impressive research tandem of Corjan de Raaf and Jean-Pierre d’Aniort, authors of Arcadia’s inaugural guest essay.
I’ve known Corjan ever since he launched his superb Rennes-le-Château Research website. His contribution to the various Rennes-le-Château discussion forums is extraordinary, and highlights both his deep knowledge of the mystery and creativity in interpreting potential clues.
The impressive design of Corjan’s Website
(Original picture, copyright by Michel Marot and Antoine Captier)
Rather serendipitously, I first met Jean-Pierre on the summit of Blanchfort, near the remains of the famous Knights Templar ruins, not far from Rennes-le-Château.
Blanchfort: Where I met Jean-Pierre
Knights Templar ruins: facing Rennes-le-Château
The following day we climbed the enigmatic mountain of Burgarach, one of the lesser known pieces of the Rennes-le-Château puzzle. By the time we had descended the mountain some six hours later, it was clear to me that Jean-Pierre was the real deal; a linguistic specialist with keen instincts.
A lesser known piece of the Rennes-le-Château puzzle:
The strange and mysterious Mountain of Burgarach
Corjan and Jean-Pierre have collaborated on Written in Stone, the Secret of Coumesourde; their first in a series of related essays on Rennes-le-Château and its lesser known mysteries. Check it out. Mull it over. Keep an open mind. And send us your essays so that the Rennes-le-Château community can benefit.
All I ask in return is that you apply your theory against Occam’s Razzor first, and consider that your acid test. But after that, let your research guide you and your imagination inspire you. And good luck!
Doubt is the vestibule which all must pass before they can enter the temple of wisdom. When we are in doubt and puzzle out the truth by our own exertions, we have gained something that will stay by us and will serve us again. But if to avoid the trouble of the search we avail ourselves of the superior information of a friend, such knowledge will not remain with us; we have not bought, but borrowed it.
