New book sheds light on the historical mystery of Rennes-le-Château in France

MANCHESTER, U.K. - Aug. 24, 2022 - PRLog -- A newly released book, The Map and the Manuscript: Journeys in the Mysteries of the Two Rennes by Simon M. Miles, offers startling new insights into the fascinating enigma of the Affair of Rennes-le-Château. The subject of a string of best-sellers over the years, from The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail (1981) by Lincoln, Baigent and Leigh, to one of the biggest novels of all time, The Da Vinci Code (2003) by Dan Brown, the mystery has given rise to literally hundreds of books, documentaries and movies, but until now, many questions at the heart of the Affair have remained unsolved.

Author Simon M. Miles describes his new book:

"The riddle of Rennes-le-Château has fascinated me ever since I watched a BBC documentary on the subject as a teenager in the 1970s. Later, I spent over twenty years investigating this extraordinary nest of puzzles, including five years living in a local village close to the area. In The Map and the Manuscript, I present the results of my work, including new and compelling breakthrough solutions to some longstanding problems which have intrigued readers and researchers for decades."

The story was first brought to wide public attention in the late 1960s in France with the publication of The Gold of Rennes (1967) by Gérard de Sède. It told the story of a priest in the tiny village of Rennes-le-Château in the Languedoc in the late 19^th century who discovered something during renovations to his 9^th century church, dedicated to Mary Magdalene, that led him to immense wealth. He spent lavishly on a new church, buildings and gardens which may still be seen to this day, but the secret of the origin of his riches died with him. These events gave rise to an interconnected sequence of mysteries which have continued to fascinate investigators to this day.

Now, for the first time, this new book provides answers to many of the key questions which hover over the Affair. These include the discovery of some extraordinary ancient interventions in the landscape around the village, located in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It also presents the solution to the mysterious coded parchments, said to have been found by the priest, but subsequently shown to be twentieth century concoctions. These are shown to conceal a hidden geometrical map, the "map in the manuscript" of the book's title.

This is just the beginning of the secrets revealed in this new book, published by Ignotum Press, an independent small publisher based near Manchester, UK. It also explores a strange surrealist poem published in 1967, (Le Serpent Rouge) whose author has remained unidentified until now. The revelation of the identity of this author is a major turning point in understanding the mystery, and reveals the involvement of a hitherto unsuspected figure in the Affair, a respected French academic and professor who has never previously been associated with these events.

Richly illustrated, with over 140 full colour images including maps, photographs and diagrams, The Map and the Manuscript: Journeys in the Mysteries of the Two Rennes promises to rewrite the history of the Affair of Rennes, presenting the true story of how the knowledge of a hidden archaeological wonder of the past has been preserved and transmitted down through the ages to our time.

Notes to Editors

• The Map and the Manuscript: Journeys in the Mysteries of the Two Rennes by Simon M. Miles is published in hardback, paperback and Kindle by Ignotum Press of Manchester UK..
• Paperback £19.95 ISBN no: 9781739734701; Hardback £29.95 ISBN no: 9781739734718; Kindle £9.95 ISBN no: 9781739734725.
• Now available from Amazon, Book Depository, Waterstones, Great British Bookstore and other online book outlets.