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HISTORY
Though its heritage in antiquity is unmistakable, no
one knows with certainty how or when the Masonic Fraternity was formed.
A widely
accepted theory among Masonic scholars is that modern speculative
Freemasonry arose from the
stonemasons’ guilds during the Middle Ages. It was founded upon the
structure, ceremonies, and symbolism of the lodges of operative or working
freemen stonemasons, who built the magnificent Medieval Gothic structures
throughout much of Europe and England.
Dated in 1390 AD, the Regius
Poem, which was a copy of an
earlier work, details the charter of a lodge operating in the 900s AD
"Masonry" then meant architecture and encompassed most of the arts and
sciences. Because lodges held knowledge as competitive secrets, only trusted,
capable companions were instructed in the craft - and then only by degrees,
orally and through symbols, because of widespread illiteracy.
What is known is that in 1717,
four lodges in London formed the first Grand Lodge of England, and records from
that point on are more complete.
This is a very fascinating subject for most masons. Many articles have been
written. Below articles should give you an idea on how complex it is the
"Origins of Freemasonry"
Brief History
History of
Freemasonry
Beginnings
of American History
Antiquity of the
Craft
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