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The surprising origins of the modern conspiracy theory

From 'Pizzagate' to QAnon, conspiracy theories feel like a product of the modern world, spread through the ubiquitous nature of social media, however there are patterns in the make up of these myths that can be traced back centuries.

The medieval period proved the perfect breeding ground for what we have come to know as conspiracy theories, and one particular king, Philip IV of France, could be seen as perhaps the greatest conspiracy theorist of that time.

Video by Nic Davis, Victoria Hansen, Kristine Dueno & Michelle Fenn

Commissioning Editor: Camelia Sadeghzadeh


The surprising origins of the modern conspiracy theory