Downfall of the Templars: Guilty of Diabolic Magic?

by Tony McMahon

In a controversial new look at the trials of the Knights Templar between 1307 and 1312, TV historian Tony McMahon argues that this was the first of the witchcraft trials that would engulf Europe for three hundred years. By way of evidence, he looks at other prosecutions that were happening at the same time and with the same inquisitors involved. This included the rounding up of a group of female preachers known as the Beguines; the trial for sorcery of the Bishop of Troyes, accused of killing the queen using magic spells; and the bizarre prosecution of a dead pope, Boniface VIII.
The man at the centre of all this was King Philip IV of France. His motives for destroying the Templars is often written off as just a crude, bloody grab for their money and land. But McMahon argues that the king believed the accusations being levelled against the knights. He was behind a string of sorcery-related prosecutions at a time when church and state were becoming far more interested in witchcraft - previously regarded as superstitious nonsense. With our modern mindsets, we fail to appreciate how a medieval monarch could genuinely have thought that satanic forces were at work in his realm.
McMahon then investigates all the various theories about Templar treasure and where it might have ended up before looking at how the Templars have been depicted since their fall in modern culture from Assassin's Creed to Star Wars.

Genres: History

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 30, 2025

About the author

Tony McMahon is a TV investigative historian appearing on Discovery, History, ITV, Channel 5, and other networks: https://tony-mcmahon.com/
His latest book is Downfall of the Templars: Guilty of Diabolic Magic? This is the second part of a trilogy of books on the Knights Templar.
He also wrote Jack the Ripper and Abraham Lincoln, published by Troubador - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Ripper-...
Tony co-authored the biography of 1980s pop star, Neville Staple, vocalist in The Specials and Fun Boy Three (publisher: Aurum Press): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Rud...
His biography of the black British boxer Errol Christie was shortlisted for two awards (publisher: Aurum Press): https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Place-Hid...
The Battle for British Islam was co-authored with Dame Sara Khan - an analysis of Islamism in the UK reviewed on CNN, Sky, Channel 4, Sunday Times, etc (publisher: Saqi Books): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Briti...

Reviews

[amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

History | non fiction | Hardback book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Knights Templar are such an intriguing and interesting group from history. There is so much myth and mystery that surrounds the order and many films and novels have been based on these enigmatic knights. It was a joy to read a well researched and thorough history of the trials surrounding their downfall and the people responsible for it. There were also other theories woven into the narrative which was highly readable and informative.

Such a fascinating topic but it took me down so many rabbit holes with googling; maps, information on the Byzantine Empire, the original inhabitants of Turkey, the Benguines and more! I love a book when it makes you really think and ignites a thirst for new knowledge. Also made me realise how little I knew about European history in the medieval period and that’s why I kept googling things. I need to know everything before I understand a tiny part of it. This book can be happily read without all the googling, it’s just me I think!

Thanks to @randomtours for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

💙 Blurb-
In a controversial new look at the trials of the Knights Templar between 1307 and 1312, TV historian Tony McMahon argues that this was the first of the witchcraft trials that would engulf Europe for three hundred years. By way of evidence, he looks at other prosecutions that were happening at the same time and with the same inquisitors involved. This included the rounding up of a group of female preachers known as the Beguines; the trial for sorcery of the Bishop of Troyes, accused of killing the queen using magic spells; and the bizarre prosecution of a dead pope, Boniface VIII.
The man at the centre of all this was King Philip IV of France. His motives for destroying the Templars is often written off as just a crude, bloody grab for their money and land. But McMahon argues that the king believed the accusations being levelled against the knights. He was behind a string of sorcery-related prosecutions at a time when church and state were becoming far more interested in witchcraft - previously regarded as superstitious nonsense. With our modern mindsets, we fail to appreciate how a medieval monarch could genuinely have thought that satanic forces were at work in his realm.
McMahon then investigates all the various theories about Templar treasure and where it might have ended up before looking at how the Templars have been depicted since their fall in modern culture from Assassin's Creed to Star Wars.
💚 Review -
Historical fiction fans will love this book. This was a very different genre for me but I still enjoyed it. I found it entertaining and interesting and I liked the author's writing style. I was drawn into the book from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. Overall, an enjoyable that I highly recommend to other readers.
💖 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the author, Tony McMahon and the publisher, Pen & Sword History for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Fatguyreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This period of history is one of my absolute favourites to read about and The Knights Templar are of particular interest to me, so this appealed straight away, and it certainly lived up to my high expectations.

Here, the author introduces us to the trials of The Knights Templar of 1307 - 1312 and how they were subsequently brought down by Phili IV of France. The author also details various theories about what happened to Templar treasures, and how they have been depicted more recently.

So all in all, a throughly interesting, entertaining read packed to the brim with absorbing, fascinating historical facts and evidence.

Quite obviously throughly researched, it's a book that would appeal to not only readers interested in The Knights Templar, but readers interested in history in general.

I read this in two sittings over one blustery winter weekend.

4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 4 out of 5]

As per the title of the book, this is The Downfall Of The Templars between 1307 and 1312. If you are interested in The Templars, then this is the book for you.

A fact-filled book that also shows links between the trials of The Templars and the horrendous witch hunts that occurred. I was fascinated how the Pope and the King of France turned on The Templars, especially when you consider how well-thought-of The Templars had been.

There is a lot of history, dates and names in the book and I found that I had to spread the book out by reading a couple of chapters each day, this was to enable me to take the information in and think about what I had read.

This is the first book about The Templars that I have read by the author and I look forward to reading more.

[Luciano Anastasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony McMahon’s Downfall of the Templars offers an engaging account of the 1307 trial and fall of the Knights Templar. Our review notes how McMahon uses primary sources (like the Chinon Parchment) to show the mix of political intrigue and witchcraft fears that doomed the Order. The narrative is vivid and detailed – from shocking trial confessions to modern Templar myths – though some sensational topics (hidden treasure, secret societies) cover familiar ground. Overall, the review calls Downfall of the Templars a compelling, well-researched read and awards it 4 stars.

Read the Full Review: https://historymedieval.com/downfall-...

[Peggy Rosina Edmondson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful infestigative look into the Knights Templar.
I enjoy learning about many different time periods and accounts of history so this book really hit the spot for me. It's stuffed full of information and research.
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. The author delves into different theories and really gets you thinking. You can tell that a lot of research and knowledge was put into it.
This book is chock full of information, yet I found myself wanting to learn more! Which to me makes it a great read.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Mcmahon's The Knights Templar absolutely fascinating so couldn't wait to continue my journey with the Crusaders in Downfall of the Templars.

The Templars are enigmatic and through Mcmahon's writing and research I have learned so much more about them.

I was surprised to learn that the Knights Templar were the real world inspiration for the Jedi Order. I had absolutely no idea!

A fantastic deep dive into a pivotal moment in time.