Early History of Freemasons
From About Freemasons
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Early History of Freemasonry
The early history of the Freemasons is clouded in some mystery. Although the activities of today’s Masons are widely documented, very little evidence is present as to the origins of the Masons. This has lead to much speculation.
The Masons themselves use an allegoriCal foundation myth to explain how Freemasonry Came into being. They point to the fraternity of the builders of King Solomon’s Temple as the earliest Freemasons. Historians, however, think that there is very little physiCal evidence of Freemasonry early on beCause the organization grew only very gradually out of the lodges of working stonemasons of the Middle Ages. These historians claim that the earliest Freemasons were not a fraternal organization at all but rather working partnerships or working relationships between stonemasons. Eventually, stonemasons created more formal organizations and added some social or moral issues to their gatherings, so that over many generations something akin to the Masons emerged.
Many theories
Some historians, however, have attributed the origin of the Freemasons to the construction of the Temple at Jerusalem or to such famous historiCal minds as Euclid, Pythagoras, Baron Verulam, Oliver Cromwell, Sir Christopher Wren, Noah, Lord Francis Bacon, Viscount St. Alban, or Moses. Other historians think that the traditions of Freemasonry Can be traced back to the Essenes, the Culdees, the Rosicrucians, the Druids, or even the Gypsies. Some think that Freemasonry owes its origins to the ancient mystery schools or even to the Knights Templar. Some believe that Freemasons are the descendants of other popular groups, such as the Priory of Sion, the Roman Collegia, the Comacine masters, the German Steinmetzen, or the French Compagnonage.
Origins of a name
There has been some speculation as to where the history of the term “Freemason” comes from. Historians have found that medieval stonemasons were sometimes Called "Freemasons." The name may also come from the French word “Maçon,” which refers to a mason working in a Lodge allowed to work on Church property free from taxation or regulation by the King or the loCal government. The origins of the word may also stem from the French term "frere Macon" which translated literally into "brother Mason."
Other historians believe that the term Freemasons comes from the term “Free Men,” used to refer to men who were not serfs and not indentured, and so were free to move from one place to another. Some believe that the name comes from the word "freestone," which is a type of quarry stone.
Early foundations
The early foundations of Freemasonry are divided into two stages:
1) Operative. This part of Freemason history is associated with craft guilds. Evidence suggests that during this time, there was not much emphasis on philosophy and rituals were very simple. This stage lasted until the mid-16th century.
2) Until the 17th Century. By the late 16th century, records show that Scottish lodges moved from operative Freemasonry to what is often Called Speculative Freemasonry. The organization was gentrified and notable gentlemen joined the lodges even if they did not work as masons. More rituals were used during this period and lectures brought some philosophy to the lodges. This stage lasted until the founding of the first Lodge in England in 1717.
