Page 5 - Thinking of becoming a Freemason

A short history of Freemasonry in Britain

The origins of Freemasonry are subject to derived from the shadowy and mysterious
scholarly debate. Organised Freemasonry, as we Rosicrucian Brotherhood which may or
know it today, began with the founding of the have existed in Europe in the early 1600s.
first Grand Lodge on 24 June 1717 at the Goose The honest answers to the questions when,
and Gridiron Ale House in St Paul’s Churchyard. where and why did Freemasonry originate,
are that we simply do not know.
It was formed by the agreement of four
London Lodges, the oldest of which was The stonemason theory
thought to have existed in 1691. Evidence of
That said, there is general agreement
the movement’s existence prior to 1691 is
amongst historians and researchers that
sparse, so the true origins remain a mystery.
Freemasonry developed, either directly or
Freemasonry neither originated nor existed in indirectly, from the medieval stonemasons –
King Solomon’s time. Many historians have otherwise known as Operative Masons – who
tried to prove Freemasonry descended from built the great cathedrals and castles.
the mysteries of classical Greece or Rome or
Those who favour the theory say there were
was derived from the religion of the Egyptian
three stages to the evolution of Freemasonry:
pyramid builders.
the stonemasons gathered in huts or There is general agreement
Other theories include that Freemasonry: Lodges to rest and eat. amongst historians and
sprang from bands of travelling these Lodges gradually became meetings
researchers that
stonemasons acting by Papal authority. for stonemasons to regulate their craft.
Freemasonry developed,
evolved from a band of Knights Templar eventually, and in common with other
either directly or indirectly,
who escaped to Scotland after the order trades, they developed primitive initiation
was persecuted in Europe. ceremonies for new apprentices. from the medieval stonemasons
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