Press release: London – 22 September 2025
New evidence proves that the Knights Templar were crushed on Friday the 13 th 1307 as the first of thousands of witch trials that would engulf Europe, and later America, for three hundred years. The findings are presented in Downfall of the Templars: Guilty of Diabolic Magic? (Pen & Sword publishers).
The author is Tony McMahon, a regular face on history and science documentaries on TV, represented by the Past Preservers agency. He is one of four Truthseekers on History’s very successful three season series as well as Secrets of the Royal Palaces on Channel 5, William Shatner’s The UnXplained, Forbidden History,
Strange Evidence, and many other shows.
Most historians assume the Templars were destroyed by the King of France, Philip IV, eager to grab their fabled riches. But author and historian Tony McMahon shows that the Templar trials between 1307 and 1312 were part of a new and sinister wave of prosecutions against alleged sorcerers and necromancers.
Society was sliding into superstition and darkness. The Templars fell victim to this trend. As our own time sees an onslaught on science and reason, the terrible fate of these knights is an object lesson we all need to learn. And with increased interest in witchcraft, this is a timely book set to provoke widespread interest.
Tony McMahon explains:
“It’s been overlooked that when the Knights Templar were being tortured and executed, the king of France was also burning a group of women called the Beguines. He accused a bishop of murdering the queen using magic potions. And he was trying to put a dead pope on trial for diabolism. Something was happening in medieval society. This was the beginning of the notorious witch trials.”
Downfall of the Templars is published on 25 November 2025, and Tony McMahon is available for interviews, feature articles, and publication of excerpts. Please contact his PR team:
Nigel Hetherington: nigel@pastpreservers.com