The History of Freemasonry studies the development, evolution and events of the fraternal organization known as Freemasonry. This history is generally separated into two time periods: before and after the formation of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717. Before this time, the facts and origins of Freemasonry are not absolutely known and are therefore frequently explained by theories or legends. After the formation of the Grand Lodge of England, the history of Freemasonry is extremely well-documented and can be traced through the creation of hundreds of Grand Lodges that spread rapidly worldwide. A fraternal organization, sometimes also known as a fraternity, is an organization that represents the relationship between its members as akin to brotherhood. ... The Masonic Square and Compasses. ...

From origin to 18th Century Freemasonry

Origin theories of speculative freemasonry

In the ritual context Freemasonry employs an allegorical foundation myth - the foundation of the fraternity by the builders of King Solomon’s Temple. Solomons Temple (Hebrew: בית המקדש, transliterated Beit HaMikdash), also known as the First Temple, was, according to the Bible, the first Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. ...

Beyond myth, there is a distinct absence of documentation as to Freemasonry’s origins, which has led to a great deal of speculation among historians and pseudo-historians alike, both from within and from outside the fraternity. Hundreds of books have been written on the subject. Much of the content of these books is highly speculative, and the precise origins of Freemasonry may very well be permanently lost to history. The scant evidence that is available, points to the origins of Freemasonry as a fraternity that simply evolved out of the Operative Lodges of the middle ages.

The origin of Freemasonry has variously been attributed to:^[1]

• King Solomon, and the construction of the Temple at Jerusalem,^[2]
• Euclid, or Pythagoras,^[2]
• The Patriarchal Religion, Moses, the Pagan Mysteries, The Essenes, The Culdees, The Druids, The Gypsies, or the Rosicrucians^[2]
• the intellectual descendants of Noah^[3]
• an institutional outgrowth of the medieval guilds of stonemasons, ^[4][5]
• a direct descendant of the "Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem" (the Knights Templar)^[3][6]
• an offshoot of the ancient mystery schools,^[7]
• an administrative arm of the Priory of Sion,^[8]
• the intellectual descendants of the Roman Collegia^[9]
• the intellectual descendants of the Comacine masters^[10]
• the German Steinmetzen, or the French Compagnonage^[2]
• Oliver Cromwell, or the Stuart Pretender to the British Crown; Lord Francis Bacon, Viscount St. Alban, Baron Verulam^[2]
• Sir Christopher Wren and the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral^[2]
• survivor of late 17th Century, enlightenment period, fashion for fraternal bodies with no real connections at all to earlier organizations (although various documents pre-dating the 17th Century tend to disprove this theory).

Noahs Ark, Französischer Meister (The French Master), Magyar Szépmüvészeti Múzeum, Budapest. ... The Seal of the Knights Templar This article is about the medieval military order. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Prieuré de Sion, usually rendered in English translation as Priory of Sion or even Priory of Zion, is an elusive protagonist in many works of both non-fiction and fiction. ... Comacine masters (or magistri comacini) were medieval stoneworkers also dubbed the cathedral builders; their name derives either from the location where they supposedly had their headquarters, an island in lake Como (Isola Comacina), or from the latin expression cum machinis (referring to their tools). ...

Name origins

The medieval stonemasons were sometimes known as "freemasons." ^{[citation needed]} Historians have suggested several origins of the term:

• From the French term franc Maçon, a mason working in a Lodge that has been granted a franchise by the Church to work on Church Property and free from taxation or regulation by the King or the local Municipality.^[11]
• From the French "frere Macon" literally meaning "brother Mason"
• From Free Men, that is they were not Serfs or Indentured, and free to travel from one work location to another.
• From working in "freestone," a type of quarry stone, and they were therefore Freestone Masons.^[12]

In law, an exclusive right is the power or right to perform an action in relation to an object or other thing which others cannnot perform. ...

From historical foundation to 1717

Goose and Gridiron

The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 was a watershed for Freemasonry as a whole. Prior to that time, the following events stand out: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (969x1293, 272 KB) Beschreibung Goose & Gridiron in London First Grand Lodge Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Freemasonry ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (969x1293, 272 KB) Beschreibung Goose & Gridiron in London First Grand Lodge Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Freemasonry ... A Grand Lodge, or Grand Orient, is the usual governing body of Craft, or Blue Lodge, Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ... // Events January 4 — The Netherlands, Britain & France sign Triple Alliance February 26-March 6 What is now the northeastern United States was paralyzed by a series of blizzards that buried the region. ...

• 1356 - Formation of the London Masons Company; also ordinances governing the Lodge at York Minster
• 1376 - Earliest known use of the word Freemason
• 1390 - Regius Poem or Halliwell Manuscript
• 1410 - The Matthew Cooke Manuscript
• 1425 - Statute of Henry VI of England forbidding the yearly congregation of Masons
• 1598 & 1599 - Schaw Statutes for the regulation of the craft in Scotland identifying a governance hierarchy.
• 1599 - Minutes of the Aitchisons Haven Lodge and St Mary's Lodge in Edinburgh
• 1646 - Initiation of Elias Ashmole into Freemasonry in Warrington
• 1717 - Formation of the first Grand Lodge in London

The early development of Freemasonry has two distinct growth periods:^[13] Events January 20 - Edward Balliol surrenders title as King of Scotland to Edward III of England April 16 — the King of the Serbian Kingdom of RaÅ¡ka Stefan DuÅ¡an is proclaimed Tsar (Emperor) of all Serbs, Arbanasses and Greeks in Skopje by the Serbian Orthodox Christian Patriarch of a... York Minster Close The southwest tower of York Minster Inside York Minster The interior of the tower York Minster is an imposing Gothic cathedral in York, northern England. ... // Events March – The treaty between England and France is extended until April of 1377. ... Events Births December 27 - Anne de Mortimer, claimant to the English throne (died 1411) Domenico da Piacenza, Italian dancemaster (died 1470) John Dunstable, English composer (died 1453) Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson, Swedish statesman and rebel leader (died 1436) Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (died 1447) John VIII Palaeologus Byzantine Emperor (died 1448) Deaths... The Halliwell Manuscript, also known as the Regius Poem, is the first known Masonic text. ... The Halliwell Manuscript, also known as the Regius Poem, is the first known Masonic text. ... March 29 - The Aragonese capture Oristano, capital of the giudicato di Arborea in Sardinia July 15 – Battle of Grunwald (also known as Tannenberg or Zalgiris). ... In the history of Freemasonry, next to the Regius poem, the oldest known manuscript is the one known as the Matthew Cooke Manuscript. ... Events Foundation of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium Births John II, Duke of Lorraine (died 1470) Edmund Sutton, English nobleman (died 1483) Deaths January 18 - Edmund Mortimer, 5th Earl of March, English politician (born 1391) March 17 - Ashikaga Yoshikazu, Japanese shogun (born 1407) May 24 - Murdoch Stewart, 2nd Duke of... Henry VI (December 6, 1421 – May 21, 1471) was King of England from 1422 to 1461 (though with a Regent until 1437) and then from 1470 to 1471, and King of France from 1422 to 1453. ... Events January 7 - Boris Godunov seizes the throne of Russia following the death of his brother-in-law, Tsar Feodor I. April 13 - Edict of Nantes - Henry IV of France grants French Huguenots equal rights with Catholics. ... Events The Jesuit educational plan known as the Ratio Studiorum is issued (January 8). ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots 2 Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I... Events The Jesuit educational plan known as the Ratio Studiorum is issued (January 8). ... 1646 (MDCXLVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Elias Ashmole by an unknown hand (detail), c. ... // Events January 4 — The Netherlands, Britain & France sign Triple Alliance February 26-March 6 What is now the northeastern United States was paralyzed by a series of blizzards that buried the region. ...

• Stage 1. Operative Freemasonry - associated with the craft guilds. Ritual elements are simple and there is no evidence beyond a rudimentary philosophical outlook.

• Stage 2. Freemasonry of the late 16th Century and into the 17th Century. Surviving Scottish Lodge records, as early as the 1630s, show a gentrification process - a transition from Operative to Speculative Freemasonry - evidenced by increasing non-operative notable gentleman within the membership. ^[14] Virtually no records of English lodges survive prior to the, speculative, Grand Lodge period of 1717 onwards. The purely speculative ritual and lectures of William Preston (1742-1818) demonstrate an increasing use of a ritual infusion of Enlightenment philosophy.^[15]

The Craft that evolved into modern Freemasonry emerged in the period between the Black Death, 1348, and the Wars of the Roses, 1453. ^{[citation needed]} Before that time, there are no trends or events that can be identified as leading definitely towards Freemasonry, which appears to have emerged from the building industry. Equally, there is no part of Scotland or England that can claim the honour of originating Freemasonry; the pre-eminence of London was not yet apparent. Events and Trends Thirty Years War in full swing in Europe September 8, 1636 - A vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony establishes Harvard College as the first college founded in the Americas. ... The Age of Enlightenment (from the German word Aufklärung, meaning Enlightenment) refers to either the eighteenth century in European and American philosophy, or the longer period including the seventeenth century and the Age of Reason. ... Illustration of the Black Death from the Toggenburg Bible (1411). ... Events April 7 - Charles University is founded in Prague. ... Lancaster York For other uses see Wars of the Roses (disambiguation) The Wars of the Roses (1455 - 1485) was a series of civil wars fought over the throne of England between adherents of the House of Lancaster and the House of York. ... April 2 - Mehmed II begins his siege of Constantinople (İstanbul). ...

A credible historical source asserting the antiquity of Freemasonry is the Halliwell Manuscript, or Regius Poem - believed to date from ca. 1390. This makes reference to several concepts and phrases similar to those found in Freemasonry.^[16] The manuscript itself seems to be an elaboration on an earlier document, to which it refers.

There is also the Cooke Manuscript, dated 1430 - the Constitution of German stonemasons.^[16] The first appearance of the word 'Freemason' occurs in the Statutes of the Realm enacted in 1495 by Henry VII of England, however, most other documentary evidence prior to the 1500s appears to relate entirely to operative Masons.^[16] Henry VII (January 28, 1457 – April 21, 1509), King of England, Lord of Ireland (August 22, 1485 – April 21, 1509), was the founder and first patriarch of the Tudor dynasty. ...

By 1583, the date of the Grand Lodge manuscript,^[16] the documentary evidence begins to grow. The Schaw Statues of 1598-9(4) are the source used to declare the precedence of Lodge Mother Kilwinning in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland over Lodge Mary's Chapel in Edinburgh. These are described as Head and Principal respectively. As a side note, following a dispute over numbering at the formation of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (GLS) - Kilwinning is numbered as Lodge Mother Kilwinning Number 0 (pronounced 'Nothing'), GLS. Quite soon thereafter, a charter was granted to Sir William St. Clair (later Sinclair) of Roslin (Rosslyn), allowing him to purchase jurisdiction over a number of lodges in Edinburgh and environs.^[16] This may be the basis of the Templar myth surrounding Rosslyn Chapel. Lodge Mother Kilwinning is a Masonic Lodge in Kilwinning, Scotland under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, it is number 0 on the Roll following a series of changes in its status with respect to the Grand Lodge. ... Kilwinning is a historic town situated in North Ayrshire, Scotland. ... Edinburgh (pronounced ; Scottish Gaelic: ) is the capital of Scotland and its second-largest city. ... The Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland was founded in 1736 – although, in fact, only about a third of the independent lodges were represented at the foundation meeting of the Grand Lodge. ... Lodge Mother Kilwinning is a Masonic Lodge in Kilwinning, Scotland under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, it is number 0 on the Roll following a series of changes in its status with respect to the Grand Lodge. ... Rosslyn Chapel. ...

The Regius Poem and Cooke manuscript, about 1390 and 1410 respectively, are written in the dialects of the west and southwest of England, and may have been written for the school of masonry associated with Salisbury Cathedral. The Halliwell Manuscript, also known as the Regius Poem, is the first known Masonic text. ... In the history of Freemasonry, next to the Regius poem, the oldest known manuscript is the one known as the Matthew Cooke Manuscript. ... Events Births December 27 - Anne de Mortimer, claimant to the English throne (died 1411) Domenico da Piacenza, Italian dancemaster (died 1470) John Dunstable, English composer (died 1453) Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson, Swedish statesman and rebel leader (died 1436) Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (died 1447) John VIII Palaeologus Byzantine Emperor (died 1448) Deaths... March 29 - The Aragonese capture Oristano, capital of the giudicato di Arborea in Sardinia July 15 – Battle of Grunwald (also known as Tannenberg or Zalgiris). ... Salisbury Cathedral in the early morning light. ...

Early operative Freemasons, unlike virtually all Europeans except the Clergy, were Free - not bound to the land on which they were born. The various skills required in building complex stone structures, especially churches and cathedrals, allowed skilled masons to travel and find work at will. They were lodged in a temporary structure - either attached to, or near, the main stone building. In this lodge, they ate, slept and received their work assignments from the master of the work. To maintain the freedom they enjoyed required exclusivity of skills, and thus, as an apprentice was trained, his instructor attached moral values to the tools of the trade, binding him to his fellows of the craft. ^{[citation needed]}

The first recorded use of the word lodge in a Masonic context was in 1278 during the building of a Cistercian monastery at Vale Royal near Chester, England. Initially, the lodge here was no more than a rude hut in which the stonemasons worked and possibly took their midday meal, but at other sites they may also have slept in the lodge. By 1352 there were elaborate rules governing the behaviour of stonemasons connected with the lodge at York Minster. These regulations are described as the "ancient customs of the stonemasons" (consuetudines antiquae quibus cementarii). Therein, the Master and Deputy Master were required to swear an oath that the ancient customs would be adhered to. Fifty years later, all stonemasons were required to swear the same oath. There appears to be nothing esoteric about these customs; they mainly concern rates of pay, hours of work, holidays, and so on. For broader historical context, see 1270s and 13th century. ... The Order of Cistercians (OCist) (Latin Cistercenses), otherwise Gimey or White Monks (from the colour of the habit, over which is worn a black scapular or apron) are a Catholic order of monks. ... Vale Royal is a local government district and borough in Cheshire, North West England. ... This article is about Chester in England. ... Events June 4 - Glarus joins the Swiss Confederation. ...

A pen drawing by Matthew Paris c. 1250 purports to show Henry II in conference with his masons. The men building a wall are shown using a level. The mason actually being addressed by the King is holding a large square and compass almost as if to demonstrate his importance, the implication being that he is the Master Mason. There is a similar carving in Worcester Cathedral, c. 1224, which shows the architect clutching a pair of dividers and apparently discussing the plans with a monk. Self portrait of Matthew Paris from a manuscript of his chronicle (London, British Library, MS Royal 14. ... // April 30 - King Louis IX of France released by his Egyptian captors after paying a ransom of one million dinars and turning over the city of Damietta. ... Henry II of England (5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) ruled as Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, and as King of England (1154–1189) and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland[], eastern Ireland, and western France. ... A plan of Worcester Cathedral made in 1836. ... // Events Foundation of the University of Naples Livonian Brothers of the Sword conquers Latgallians Last of Arabs expelled from Sicily Births Deaths Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht (born 1153) Hojo Yoshitoki, regent of the Kamakura shogunate of Japan (born 1163) Monarchs/Presidents Aragon - James I King of Aragon...

The earliest occurrence of the word "Freemason" was in London in 1376. Four men were chosen to represent the city's builders on the Common Council of Trades, and this was the first time that they had been represented. The four were originally listed as Freemasons although the word is then crossed out and replaced with Mason. The possible reason for this error is significant. Much of the building in the south of England was done with a material called "freestone", which is a term that refers to any stone that can be carved into fine details. The men who worked it were called, of course, Freestone Masons. ^{[citation needed]} There seems to be no evidence at this time to link the prefix free- with "freedom". The balance of probability seems to suggest that "Freemason" is indeed a contraction of "Freestone Mason". // Events March – The treaty between England and France is extended until April of 1377. ...

John Wycliffe, writing about 1383, used the terms "men of sutel craft, as fre masons and others"; he also refers to "fraternytes or gildis". Henry Yevele, a master builder who died in 1400 may have been described as a Freemason on his tombstone. However the word Freemason appears in neither the Regius nor the Cooke Manuscripts, which date from a slightly later period. This does not cite its references or sources. ... Events End of the reign of Emperor Chokei of Japan Emperor Go-Kameyama ascends to the throne of Japan Births Pope Eugenius IV Deaths March 1 - Amadeus VI of Savoy, Count of Savoy (b. ... Events Henry IV quells baron rebellion and executes The Earls of Kent, Huntingdon and Salisbury for their attempt to have Richard II of England restored as King Jean Froissart writes the Chronicles Medici family becomes powerful in Florence, Italy Births December 25 - John Sutton, 1st Baron Dudley, Lord Lieutenant of...

Freemasonry's transition from a craft guild of operative, working stonemasons into a fraternity of speculative, accepted, gentleman Freemasons began in Scottish lodges during the early 1600s. The earliest record of a lodge accepting a non-operative member occurs in the records of the Lodge of Edinburgh, 8 June 1600, where it is shown that John Boswell, Laird of Aucheinleck, was present at a meeting. The first record of the initiation of a non-operative mason in a lodge is contained in the minutes of the Lodge of Edinburgh for 3 July 1634, when the Right Honourable Lord Alexander was admitted a Fellowcraft.^[12]

From the early 1600s references are found to Freemasonry in personal diaries and journals. Elias Ashmole (1617-1692), was made a Mason in 1646, and notes attending several Masonic meetings. There appears to be a general spread of the Craft, between Ashmole's account and 1717, when four English Lodges meeting in London Taverns joined together and founded the Grand Lodge of England (GLE). They had held meetings, respectively, at the Apple-Tree Tavern, the Crown Ale-House near Drury Lane, the Goose and Gridiron in St. Paul's Churchyard, and the Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Westminster.^[16] Elias Ashmole by an unknown hand (detail), c. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2005 est. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ... A tavern is, loosely, a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and, more than likely, also be served food, though not licenced to put up guests. ...

With the foundation of this first Grand Lodge, Freemasonry shifted from being an obscure, relatively private, institution into the public eye. The years following saw new Grand Lodges open throughout Europe. How much of this growth was the spreading of Freemasonry itself, and how much was due to the public organization of pre-existing private Lodges, is uncertain.

Creation of the Grand Lodge of England

Organized Freemasonry in London was established on 24 June 1717 when four London lodges came together at the Goose and Gridiron Ale House in St Paul’s Churchyard and formed the Premier Grand Lodge of England, which was the first Grand Lodge of Freemasons to be publicly created.

See also The United Grand Lodge of England The United Grand Lodge of Englands Coat of Arms Headquarters of The UGLE. The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is the main governing body of Freemasonry within England, and certain jurisdictions overseas (normally ex-British Empire and Commonwealth countries). ...

The introduction of the Third Degree

In 1723, James Anderson wrote and published The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, For the Use of the Lodges in London and Westminster. This work was reprinted in Philadelphia in 1734 by Benjamin Franklin, who was that year elected Grand Master of the Masons of Pennsylvania. James Anderson (c. ... Benjamin Franklin (January 17 [O.S. January 6] 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the most well known Founding Fathers of the United States. ...

Sometime after 1725, a third degree, the Master Mason's degree, began to be worked in London lodges. Its origins are unknown, and it may be older than its recorded appearance indicates. But it does not appear in the records of any lodge until April 1727, and its actual conferral does not appear in the records of any lodge until March 1729. Exposures of Masonic ritual, which began to appear in 1723, refer to only two degrees until the publication of Samuel Pritchard's "Masonry Dissected" in 1730, which contained the work for all three degrees. The Master Mason's degree was not official until the Grand Lodge adopted Anderson's revised Constitutions of 1738.^[17]

The "Ancients" and "Moderns" Grand Lodges

Throughout the early years of the new Grand Lodge there were any number of Masons and lodges that never affiliated with the new Grand Lodge. These unaffiliated Masons and their Lodges were referred to as "Old Masons," or "St. John Masons, and "St. John Lodges".^[18]

During the 1730s and 1740s antipathy increased between the London Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland. Irish and Scots Masons visiting and living in London considered the London Grand Lodge to have considerably deviated from the ancient practices of the Craft. As a result, these Masons felt a stronger kinship with the unaffiliated London Lodges. The aristocratic nature of the London Grand Lodge and its members alienated other Masons of the City causing them also to identify with the unaffiliated Lodges.^[19] Events and Trends The Great Awakening - A Protestant religious movement active in the British colonies of North America Sextant invented (probably around 1730) independently by John Hadley in Great Britain and Thomas Godfrey in the American colonies World leaders Louis XV King of France (king from 1715 to 1774) George... Events and Trends The War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748) rages. ... In the field of astrology antipathy is the conflict in the natal horoscopes of two people who feel an aversion to each other. ... In sociology and critical social theory, alienation refers to the individuals estrangement from traditional community and others in general. ...

On 17 July 1751, representatives of five Lodges gathered at the Turk's Head Tavern, in Greek Street, Soho, London - forming a rival Grand Lodge - "The Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons." They believed that they practiced a more ancient and therefore purer form of Masonry, and called their Grand Lodge The Ancients' Grand Lodge. They called those affiliated to the Premier Grand Lodge, by the pejorative epithet The Moderns. These two unofficial names stuck.^[20] Soho is an area of central Londons West End, in the borough of the City of Westminster. ... A word or phrase is pejorative if it implies contempt or disapproval. ... An epithet (Greek - επιθετον and Latin - epitheton; literally meaning imposed) is a descriptive word or phrase. ...

An illustration of how deep the division was between the two factions is the case of Benjamin Franklin who was a member of a Moderns' Lodge in Philadelphia. Upon returning from France it transpired that his Lodge had changed to (and had received a new warrant from) the Ancients Grand Lodge; no longer recognizing him and declining to give him "Masonic Honours" at his funeral.^[21] Benjamin Franklin (January 17 [O.S. January 6] 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the most well known Founding Fathers of the United States. ...

For many years, "The Great Masonic Schism" was a name applied to the sixty-two year division of English Freemasonry into two separate Grand Lodges. Some even attempted to attribute the division to the changes in passwords made in 1738-39 by the Premier Grand Lodge. Masonic historian Robert F. Gould in his "History of Freemasonry (1885) referred to the Ancients Grand Lodge as "schismatics". However, Henry Sadler, Librarian of the UGLE, demonstrated in his 1887 book "Masonic Facts and Fictions" that the Ancients Grand Lodge was formed in 1751 primarily by Irish Masons living and working in London, never affiliated with the older Grand Lodge. 72 of the first 100 names on the roll of the new Ancients' Grand Lodge were Irish. In 1776, the Grand Secretary of the Moderns' Grand Lodge referred to them as "the Irish Faction (Ye Ancient Masons, as they call themselves)". And so the myth of a "Great Masonic Schism" in English Masonry was laid to rest.^[22]

Early Freemasonry in the United States (1733-1799)

In 1733, Henry Prince, the Provincial Grand Master over all of North America for the London Grand Lodge, granted a charter to a group of Bostonian Freemasons. This lodge was later named St. John's Lodge and was the first duly constituted lodge in America. ^[23]

Establishment of Prince Hall Freemasonry (1775-1827)

Main article: Prince Hall Freemasonry

Prince Hall Freemasonry derives from historical events which led to a tradition of separate, predominantly African-American, Freemasonic fraternal organization in North America. ...

19th Century Freemasonry

The Union of 1813

The two competing Grand Lodges in England were amalgamated into the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) in 1813, by twenty-one articles of "The Articles of Union" - specifing the agreements made regarding the various points of contention. A special lodge, The Lodge of Promulgation, was established to promulgate the ancient landmarks of the Order, as well as instructing and negotiating with the members of the two factions to include the discontinuation of any innovations or changes introduced by the Moderns. The Union largely confirmed the Ancients' forms and ceremonies, and therefore considerably revised the Moderns' rituals. One of the most important changes was the reference in Article Two to the Royal Arch Degree as included in the, third, Master Masons' Degree - a practice that had always been peculiar to the Ancients lodges.^[19] Promulgation is the act of formally proclaiming new legislation to the public. ...

Both the Antients and the Moderns had daughter Lodges throughout the world, and because many of those Lodges still exist, there is a great deal of variety in the ritual used today, even between UGLE-recognized jurisdictions in amity. Most Private Lodges conduct themselves in accordance with a single Rite.

The Morgan Affair and Decline in American Freemasonry (1826 - c.1850)

Main article: William Morgan (anti-Mason)

In 1826, William Morgan disappeared from Batavia, New York, after threatening to expose Freemasonry's secrets, causing some to claim that he had been murdered by Masons. What exactly occurred has never been conclusively proven. However, Morgan's disappearance — and the minimal punishment received by his kidnappers — sparked a series of protests against Freemasons throughout the United States, especially in New York and neighboring states. William Morgan was a resident of Batavia, New York, whose disappearance in 1826 sparked a powerful anti-Freemason movement in the United States. ... William Morgan was a resident of Batavia, New York, whose disappearance in 1826 sparked a powerful anti-Freemason movement in the United States. ...

Under the leadership of Thurlow Weed, an anti-Masonic and anti-Andrew Jackson (Jackson was a Mason) movement grew to become the political party and made the ballot for the presidency in 1828, while gaining the support of such notable politicians as William H. Seward. Its influence was such that other Jackson rivals, including John Quincy Adams, denounced the Masons. In 1847, Adams wrote a widely distributed book titled "Letters on the Masonic Institution" that was highly critical of the Masons. In 1832, the party fielded William Wirt as its presidential candidate. This was rather ironic because he was, in fact, a Freemason, and even gave a speech at the Anti-Masonic convention defending the organization. The party only received seven electoral votes. Three years later, the party had disbanded in every state save Pennsylvania, as other issues such as slavery had become the focus of national attention. Thurlow Weed Thurlow Weed (November 15, 1797-November 22, 1882), was a New York political boss. ... This article is 45 kilobytes or more in size. ... The Anti-Masonic Party (also known as the Anti-Masonic Movement) was a 19th century minor political party in the United States. ... 1828 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... William Henry Seward, Sr. ... John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848) was an American lawyer, diplomat, politician, and President of the United States (March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829). ... 1832 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... William Wirt (November 8, 1772 – February 18, 1834) was an American author and statesman who is credited with turning the position of United States Attorney General into one of influence. ... Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 160 miles (255 km)  - Length 280 miles (455 km)  - % water 2. ... — Slave redirects here. ...

Freemasons and the Paris Commune

According to Ernest Belfort Bax, Freemasons were responsible for the last serious attempt at conciliation between Versailles and the Commune on April 21, 1870. They were received coldly by Adolphe Thiers, who assured them that, though Paris were given over to destruction and slaughter, the law should be enforced, and he kept his word. A few days after they decided in a public meeting to plant their banner on the ramparts and throw in their lot with the Commune. On the 29th, accordingly, 10,000 of the brethren met (55 lodges being represented), and marched to the Hôtel de Ville, headed by the Grand Masters in full insignia and the banners of the lodges. Amongst them the new banner of Vincennes was conspicuous, bearing the inscription in red letters on a white ground, “Love one another.” A balloon was then sent up, which let fall at intervals, outside Paris, a manifesto of the Freemasons. The procession then wended its way through the boulevards and the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe, where the banners were planted at various points along the ramparts. On seeing the white flag on the Porte Maillot the Versaillese ceased firing, and the commander, himself a Freemason, received a deputation of brethren, and suggested a final appeal to Versailles, which was agreed to. The “chief of the executive,” of course, hardly listened to the envoys, and declined to further discuss the question of peace with anyone. This last formal challenge having been made and rejected, the Freemasons definitely took their stand as combatants for the Commune. ^[24] Ernest Belfort Bax (July 23, 1854 - November 26, 1926) was a socialist journalist and philosopher, associated with the Social Democratic Federation in Britain. ... April 21 is the 111th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (112th in leap years). ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... A caricature of Adolphe Thiers charging on the Paris Commune, published in Le Père Duchêne illustré Louis Adolphe Thiers (April 16, 1797–September 3, 1877) was a French statesman and historian. ...

The great schism of 1877

See also: Regular Masonic jurisdictions

A great schism in Freemasonry occurred, between the English (UGLE) and French (GOdF), in the years following 1877, when the Grand Orient de France (GOdF) started unreservedly accepting atheists, and recognized Women's Masonry and Co-Masonry. Also French Masons tended to be more willing to discuss religion and politics in their Lodges; unlke the English who baned it such discussion outright. ^[25] This article deals with organization in Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry. ...

The schism between the two branches was occasionally, (unofficially or partially) breached, especially during the First World War when American Masons overseas wished to visit French Lodges.^[25] {{Infobox Military Conflict |conflict = World War I |partof = |image = |caption = Clockwise from top: Trenches on the Western Front; a British Mark IV tank crossing a trench; Royal Navy battleship HMS Irresistible sinking after striking a mine at the Battle of the Dardanelles; a Vickers machine gun crew with gas masks...

As to religious requirements, the oldest constitution found in Freemasonry — that of Anderson, 1723 — says that a Mason "will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious Libertine" if he "rightly understands the Art". The only religious requirement was "that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves".^[26] Masons debate as to whether "stupid" and "irreligious" are meant as necessary, or as accidental, modifiers of "atheist" and "libertine". It is possible the ambiguity is intentional.

In 1815, the newly amalgamated UGLE modified Anderson's constitutions to include: "Let a man's religion or mode of worship be what it may, he is not excluded from the Order, provided he believes in the glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth, and practices the sacred duties of morality."

In 1849, France (GOdF) followed the English (UGLE) lead by adopting the "Supreme Being" requirement, but pressure from Latin countries produced by 1875, the alternative phrase "Creative Principle". This was ultimately not enough for the GOdF, and in 1877 it re-adopted the original Anderson document of 1723. They also created an alternative ritual that made no direct reference to any deity, with the attribute of the Great Architect of the Universe.^[27] This new Rite did not replace the older ones, but was added as an alternative, as Continental European jurisdictions, generally, tend not to restrict themselves to a single Rite — offering a menu of Rites, from which their lodges may choose.

Taxil hoax

Main article: Taxil hoax

Between the years 1885 and 1897, Léo Taxil maintained a hoax against both Freemasonry and the Roman Catholic Church, by making increasingly outlandish claims regarding Freemasonry. On 19 April 1897, Taxil called a press conference at which he claimed he would introduce the "author" of his books to the press. He instead announced that his revelations about the Freemasons were fictitious. Nevertheless, the material is still used on some anti-Masonic websites today. The Taxil hoax was a 12-year-long hoax of exposure intended to mock not only Freemasonry, but also the Roman Catholic Churchs opposition to it. ... Léo Taxil, originally Marie Joseph Gabriel Antoine Jogand-Pagès (March 21, 1854–March 31, 1907), was a French hoaxster who duped the pope and the French prelates. ...

20th Century Freemasonry

Freemasonry under Totalitarian Regimes (1900-current)

Main article: Freemasonry under Totalitarian Regimes

Many twentieth century totalitarian regimes, both Fascist and Communist have treated Freemasonry as a potential source of opposition due to its secret nature and international connections. It has been alleged by Masonic scholars that the language used by the totalitarian regimes is similar to that used by some modern critics of Freemasonry. Virtualy all totalitarian regimes have treated Freemasonry as a potential source of opposition due to its secret nature and international connections. ... The concept of Totalitarianism is a typology or ideal-type used by some political scientists to encapsulate the characteristics of a number of twentieth century regimes that mobilized entire populations in support of the state or an ideology. ... Fascism (in Italian, fascismo), capitalized, was the authoritarian political movement which ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ...

Notes

1. ^ A History of Freemasonry by H.L. Haywood and James E. Craig, pub. ca 1927
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Coil, Henry W. (1967). Freemasonry Through Six Centuries 2 vols., Vol. I, pg. 6. Richmond, Va: Macoy Publ. Co.
3. ^ ^{a b} The History of Freemasonry by Albert G. Mackey, Gramercy Books, 1996
4. ^ The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's Century, 1590-1710 by David Stevenson, pub Cambridge 1990
5. ^ English Speculative Freemasonry: Some possible Origins, Themes and Developments. The Prestonian Lecture for 2004 in Ars Quatuor Coronatum 2004 by Trevor Stewart, pub London 2005
6. ^ Freemasons for Dummies, by Christopher Hodapp, Wiley Publishing Inc., Indianapolis, 2005, pp. 203-208, sec. "A crash course in Templar history"
7. ^ The Hiram Key: Pharaohs, Freemasons and the Discovery of the Secret Scrolls of Christ by Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas, pub London 1997
8. ^ The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln, pub London, 2005
9. ^ Freemasonry and the Roman Collegia by H.L. Haywood, The Builder, 1923 — Freemasonry and the Roman Collegia
10. ^ Freemasonry and the Comacine masters by H.L. Haywood, The Builder, 1923 — Freemasonry and the Comacine Masters
11. ^ Naudon, Paul (1991). Les Origins de la Franc-Maçonnerie: Le Sacré et le Métier. Paris: Éditions Dervy.
12. ^ ^{a b} Coil, Henry W. (1961). Article: "Free-Mason; Freemason," pp. 272-273. Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia (ref. ed. 1996). Richmond, Va: Macoy Publ. Co.
13. ^ English Speculative Freemasonry: Some possible Origins, Themes and Developments. The Prestonian Lecture for 2004 in Ars Quatuor Coronatum 2004 by Trevor Stewart, pub London 2005
14. ^ Stevenson, David (1988). The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's Century 1590-1710. Cambridge Univ. Press.
15. ^ http://www.cornerstonesociety.com/Insight/Articles/articles.html
16. ^ ^{a b c d e f} http://www.grandlodge-england.org/
17. ^ Coil, Henry W. (1961). Article: "Degrees; 17. Master Mason," pp. 195-196. Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia. (rev. ed. 1996). Richmond, Va: Macoy Publ. & Masonic Supply Co. Inc.
18. ^ Coil, Henry W. (1961). Two articles: "England, Grand Lodge of, According to the Old Institutions," pp. 237-240; and "Saints John," pp. 589-590. Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia. (rev. ed. 1996). Richmond, Va: Macoy Publ. & Masonic Supply Co. Inc.
19. ^ ^{a b} Jones, Bernard E. (1950). Freemasons' Guide and Compendium, (rev. ed. 1956) London: Harrap Ltd.
20. ^ Batham, Cyril N. (1981). "The Grand Lodge of England According to the Old Institutions, otherwise known as The Grand Lodge of the Antients." The Collected Prestonian Lectures, 1975-1987, Vol. Three. London (1988): Lewis Masonic.
21. ^ Revolutionary Brotherhood, by Steven C. Bullock, Univ. N. Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 1996
22. ^ Coil, Henry W. (1961) Article: "England, Grand Lodge of, According to the Old Institutions," pp. 237-240. Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia. (rev. ed. 1996). Richmond, Va: Macoy Publ. & Masonic Supply Co. Inc.
23. ^ American Freemasons: Three Centuries of Building Communities Mark A. Tabbert, New York Universoty Press, New York: 2005, pp.33-47
24. ^ The Paris Commune - IX. The Freemasons, the Committee of Public Safety, and Rossel, byE. Belfort Bax. Found at www.marxists.org.
25. ^ ^{a b} see Masonic U.S. Recognition of French Grand Lodges in the 1900s, Paul M. Bessel. Accessed November 14, 2005
26. ^ Anderson's Constitutions, accessed November 14, 2005.
27. ^ "On 10 September, 1878, the Grand Orient, moreover, decreed to expunge from the Rituals and the lodge proceedings all allusions to religious dogmas as the symbols of the Grand Architect, the Bible, etc. These measures called out solemn protests from nearly all the Anglo-American and German organs and led to a rupture between the Anglo-American Grand Lodges and the Grand Orient of France. As many freethinking Masons both in America and in Europe sympathize in this struggle with the French, a world-wide breach resulted." from Masonry (Freemasonry) from the Catholic Encyclopedia

November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining until the end of the year. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining until the end of the year. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• stonemason
• Masonic Appendant Bodies
• History of Freemasons in Manitoba
• List of Freemasons
• List of Masonic Grand Lodges
• York Rite
• Scottish Rite

The art and craft of the stonemason has existed since the dawn of civilization - creating buildings, structures and sculpture using stone and other raw materials from the earth. ... Whilst there is no degree in Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason[1], there are a number of related organisations which have as a prerequisite to joining that one be a Master Mason or have some relation to a Master Mason[2]. These bodies are commonly referred to as... 1895, 15th of August Charles N. Bell laying cornerstone of 1st Masonic Temple in Manitoba 335 Donald Street Prof. ... Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation which exists in a number of forms worldwide. ... The York Rite (also called the American Rite) is one of the two main appendant bodies of United States Freemasonry, which a Master Mason may join to further his knowledge of Freemasonry. ... It has been suggested that Knight Kadosh be merged into this article or section. ...

External links

• Craft, Trade or Mystery by Dr Bob James (Revised 2002). Provides extensive discussion on the operative and speculative origins of Freemasonry, including extensive citations.
• The Constitutions of the Free-Masons written by James Anderson and published "For the Use of the Lodges" in 1723 in London, and in 1734 by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. Contains a mythical-biblical-historical account of the order, as well as "charges" and general regulations for members and lodges.
• The Web of Hiram at Bradford University An electronic database of the Masonic material held in many of the University's Special Collections
• Freemasonry History section of PS Review of Freemasonry