HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY
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 are two for example so you may have an idea on how complex
it is the "Origins of Freemasonry"
How Freemasonry Started - Many articles
put together to give a general brief explanation
The Origin of Freemasonry -
speech given Robert Longfield, Q.C. to the Brethren of The Victoria
Lodge, No. IV., Dublin on 2nd February 1857
and finally the beginning of
Freemasonry in the United States
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