Case file · Folklore / legend
Léo Taxil's Palladism hoax
On 19 April 1897, in a Paris hall, Léo Taxil revealed that his twelve years of 'exposés' of Satan-worshipping Freemasons and the high priestess Diana Vaughan were a hoax.
1897 CE · 48.85, 2.33 · status: hoax
The account
Catholic readers, bishops and even the pope's circle had believed him. The lurid 'Palladist' rites still circulate in conspiracy literature.