Tobias Daniel Wabbel

I was born on October 1, 1973. As a typographer, I first became a disciple of Gutenberg's black typesetting art, then studied journalism and subsequently creative writing. I earn my living as a freelance writer and journalist and worked with German broadcasters like ARTE TV, WDR or MDR. I am fascinated by the mysteries of history and the inconsistencies of this world. For my book "The Templar Treasure" I researched for over ten years throughout Europe, on site as well as in university libraries and archives.

"The Grail lore is his hobby. But everyone tries to avoid his lectures," says Dr. Heny Jones, Jr. (Indiana Jones) about his father in Steven Spielberg's film "The Last Crusade." It is much the same with the research literature on the subject of the Knights Templar at present: most historical treatises do not address the possibility that there might have been a Templar treasure. A popular example of this is a work such as "The Templars" by Dan Jones. While he rightly denies that the Templars practised any mysticism, he should keep in mind that the history of the Templars was not just about participating in battles during and after the Crusades. Jones' treatise is fluent to read, but incomplete because he ignores important historical aspects. Historical scholarship is not only the study of sources, but also the study "between the lines." Accordingly, the search for the treasure of the Templars requires a willingness to think outside the box - interdisciplinary and without intellectual blinkers.

However, Dan Jones is right (as is Umberto Eco) when esotericists attribute all sorts of things to the Templars, starting with a supposed closeness to the Cathars and ending with the founding of the Freemasons. Here I agree with him completely. There is no place in historical research for sensationalists à la Lincoln, Baigent and Leigh, who do not shy away from presenting a hoax like the Prioré de Sion, which never existed, as authentic. But there is no room for denying facts about possible hidden treasures of the Templars either. Such an attitude is also counterproductive.

This is where "The Templar Treasure - An Investigation" comes into play. I am amazed at the great interest in the subject and thank all readers.

So thank you for not avoiding "my lectures" ;-)