FREEMASONRY, WHENCE DID IT TAKE ITS RISE?

A PERSONAL VIEW BY W.BRO.R.W.HUDSON. PAGDC

I regard it as an honour, to share my knowledge and findings with you all, but I must state from the outset, I make no claim of originality, I am not an Historian, neither am I Judge, but just an enthusiastic Masonic Researcher who patiently sifts the wheat from the chaff, (and there is plenty of both), hopefully to affect a clearer understanding of our beloved Order, and to encourage as many of you as possible to commence or perhaps intensify your own Masonic researches.

My paper on this occasion is my own personal view on the actual origins of Freemasonry, based on conclusions I have arrived at from the many, many sources I have researched on this long and at times, arduous quest. The sources are too varied and numerous to list as acknowledgements, but I am indebted to them all.

The objective of my paper is not necessarily to dissuade you from whatever conclusions you may already have, or if you have no positive view, to fully accept mine, but I hope to give you cause for thought.

As you may have already experienced, the arguments that proliferate this question are many and varied, and have been discussed in numerous volumes by countless notable scholars. Each bringing something fresh and of value in their work, but somehow failing to connect all the links in one study. I hope, in my small way, to redress this situation, or at least to provide you all with a few more links to your existing chain.

Of all the discussions and opinions regarding the origins of Freemasonry, there are three that are dominant over the rest.

1). That it rose from the operative skills, and over the centuries gradually became speculative, due to the diminishing need for operative skills, as technology and construction evolved.

2). That it emanated from the Guilds and Liveries within the City of London.

3). That it was brought from the East to the West through the auspices of the Knights Templar.

Looking intently at the first argument, there are many, many good reasons for taking this view. Naturally our ritual leans heavily towards this science. We call ourselves MASONS. We speculate on many aspects of this skill, and make many allusions to this special craft. Many respected researchers fall into this trap, which, by its very content, is easy to do. But I hope to prove that Freemasonry did not evolve directly from this admirable craft, but was itself grafted on to it to disguise its originality, for very poignant reasons.

Think of yourself, for the moment, as a medieval apprentice mason, serving a seven year apprentice under a proven skilled Master Mason. During this period, you eat, sleep and dream every aspect of this skilled operative craft. Learning and practising every skill and art involved in Masonry. Demonstrating in stages the different skills you have learned. At the end of this very arduous and intense training period, you are expected to present to your master a piece of commissioned work involving all the different skills acquired over this seven year period. This was called your “Masters-Piece” or masterpiece. If your piece passed the very strict standards of craftsmanship expected, you were accepted as a Master Craftsman, and could go out into the world and make your mark. You would either set yourself up on your own, or more likely travel to one the many large building projects going on at that time, and there were many, Churches, cathedrals and castles being built all over the country.

Having arrived at one of these  intended structures, and received employment, your ability and skill would be discovered by the quality of your work, and no other way. If you lied at the interview by professing to be better than you actually were, this would be immediately shown up by your lack of actual skill in the finished product. For as an apprentice you would not be shown or instructed in a higher skill until you had fully mastered the previous one. As these structures took anything from five to a hundred years to complete, any cowan or impostor would soon be discovered.

The point I am trying to make was that there was no need for any passwords or penalties, as there was nothing to protect in the operative skills, you had either mastered them or you had not, and the standard of your work would have been the governing factor and not your knowledge of certain passwords. There may well have been a sort of hierarchy or fraternal comradeship among the operative masons themselves that may have required a password, but surely would not have merited a severe penalty of death in some form. It was the standard of your work that decided your employment and scale of wages. As a modern example, in the Craft, if a fellowcraft had knowledge of the Master Masons word, and tried to pass himself as a Master Mason, it would not be too long before the genuine Master Masons became suspicious of his lack of knowledge of the ritual and rubric of the Third Degree. Once discovered he would be quickly dismissed. The same must have applied to the ancient operatives. So, as romantic as the thought may seem, and as romantic as some masonic writers and observers try to make it, it does not seem logical to me for the need for passwords or the importantly stressed penalties. I was, and still am, convinced that there was a very much more serious importance applied to these aspects of the modern Craft. Therefore, for these reasons, I dismiss the possibility of these origins.

Giving similar intense study to the second argument, I find there are too many historic and chronological differences for this point of view to have lasting merit. Although the Guild system is of ancient lineage, and is of a very similar physical structure, and holds many of our moral aspirations with  similar respect, I cannot accept that Freemasonry rose from these fine institutions. There was an excellent paper on this very aspect quite recently on this site, and although I commend the authors dedication and application, I still cannot concur with his view, as I demonstrate.

The Guilds were formed as a sort of protection for the members and as some sort of recourse for the customer. They were able to control quality and price, much the same as some Trade Federations do today. The Guilds also supervised the apprenticeships, which included a moral aspect towards oneself and the community. Also the guilds laid a very heavy stress on religious aspects, especially Christianity, something the Craft has studiously avoided since its supposed inception, and there is a very sound reason for this avoidance. Like the operatives there was no serious reason for the guilds to instigate passwords or even penalties, like those relating to the Craft. Having been awarded the Freedom of the City of London myself, in 1974, it is my belief that the Guilds borrowed some-what from the structure of Freemasonry. I do not intend, in this Lecture, to expand further on this aspect of the discussion, as my main aim is to put the point of Freemasonry and its rise, and not the City Guilds. So for the similar reasons stated, I have to dismiss this possibility with the same enthusiasm as I did the first.

So finally we arrive at the third possibility, which obviously must be the origin that I favour. That Freemasonry took its rise from the Knights Templar has, after many years of study and research, become positive for me for many many historic reasons, which I shall now relate to you. But first, for those of you not so familiar with the Knights Templar and its history, I will first give a thumbnail picture of their rise to power and influence, and fall from grace. I will stick to the actual recorded historic facts, omitting the legends and myths such as the Holy Grail and Ark of the Covenant.

In the year 1099, nine Knights from Gaul, led by Godfrey de Bouillon entered Jerusalem, and befriended King Baldwin I to convince him to allow them to reside in the Temple grounds. There is archaeological proof that these knights tunnelled underneath the centre of the temple and possibly up into the level just below the Sanctum Sanctorum. They must have discovered something, and there are many legends speculating on what actually was found, because subsequently Hugh de Payens petitioned Baldwin II for permission for these nine knights to establish themselves as a new religious order. This permission was granted. They took the name “The Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Jerusalem. They became known by many titles, but were popularly remembered as Knights Templar. For the next nine years little is recorded of their actions. Neither did they take in any new recruits, rather strange for a new order. All these nine knights came from Champagne in Gaul, and most were closely related in some way. Through Bernard of Clairvaux, nephew to one of the nine and Abbott of the Cistercian Order, and later to be canonised as St.Bernard, they obtained a Rule from the Pope. With the powerful religious backing of the Pope and the Holy Roman Catholic Church, Bernard of Clairvaux, known as the “Second Pope”, and King Baldwin II of Jerusalem, they were now officially formed and recognised as such.They were not originally set up as an Order of Chivalry, but primarily as an escort of protection for the pilgrims making their way to the Holy Land. Whereas the Hospitallers or Knights of St.John were formed to administer aid and succour to those pilgrims who fell foul to the many bandits on their route.

Bernard championed their cause vociferously and urged that they be supported with gifts of land and money and encouraged aristocratic young men to forget their sinful lives and take up the sword and the cross as Templar Knights. So successful was his canvassing that the King of France gave both monies and substantial grants of land, which was promptly followed by similar gestures from the nobility. King Stephen of England did likewise. The knights were granted many productive manors which provided a continuous income. So, Hugh de Payens had left Jerusalem as one of a small group of an obscure unofficial order, returning just two years later with 300 knights, the backing of the Pope and many of the kings of Europe, and untold wealth and land.

Over the next 200 years they were to become the most powerful and respected force in the then known world. They built preceptories and castles all over Europe and the Middle East. They were great builders responsible for tremendous cathedrals and churches, many of which still stand today. They also built up a tremendous fleet of ships, and conducted trade with spices and silks etc. Their fighting prowess was justifiably legendary. They were also skilled in commerce, law and financial matters, holding the treasuries of both England and France. Many European kings were in their financial debt, especially King Phillip of France. They were considered experts in law and helped to structure the legal system of England at the time. Their main preceptory, and the surrounding area, in London, is still steeped in the legal profession.

At their zenith of power and wealth, as is always the case, envy became the bed for malicious rumour. Their secret rites, initiations and ceremonies were speculated to be blasphemous. Phillip, King of France saw this as an opportunity to grab their wealth and power, and therefore automatically absolve himself of his huge financial debt to them, he conspired with the Pope, whom history proves was in actual fact his puppet, to decimate the Order on charges of heresy. To all of which the Pope agreed. This was effected in absolute secrecy, so that on Friday the 13th October 1307, 15,000 Knights Templar were arrested and imprisoned in France. This date (Friday the 13th) has held fear and dread for many people ever since although the origins have become lost in the mist of time. When the arresting soldiers went to take charge of their fleet of ships in La Rochelle, it had gone, together with the Templar treasury, so the secrecy could not have been as absolute as was believed. The Pope insisted that the regents of the other European countries should activate his ruling in the same way. But most at first refused, finding the accusations unbelievable of such a revered order. This delay gave the overseas based knights the time to regroup and make plans for their escape accordingly. The arrested knights, in France, were subjected to the most excruciating torture, and many falsely confessed, under these conditions, to the charges of heresy, and were subsequently burned. Many died faithful to the principals of the Order. Even the Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, confessed under torture, but recanted his confession, along with the Treasurer of the Order, before meeting their death from burning.

This whole process from arrest until the death of the Grand Master took nearly seven years, and there are many authoritative books available on this subject, giving great detail of all the events. The other main countries handled this situation very differently. In Portugal the Knights Templar disbanded and formed The Knights of Christ, and continued under that banner. In Germany they joined up with the Teutonic Knights, some even joined the Knights Hospitaller of St. John, or as they became known The Knights of Malta, who are the inspiration behind our own St.Johns Ambulance Brigade, who have as their insignia the 8 pointed cross of the ancient Order.

The Pope then gave a decree that the Knights Templar were formally disbanded and declared that all their wealth and land acquisitions be handed over to the Knights Hospitaller, after having taken some for the Holy See as administrative costs, likewise the King of France. The Knights Hospitaller, rather than standing by their brother knights, eagerly grabbed this opportunity of swelling their own ranks, wealth and power.A fact that the fugitive Knights Templar never forgot. As I have mentioned before there are many authoritative books on this subject each with their own theories and explanations, some very far-fetched and some more realistic.

You must appreciate that the religion dominant at this time, the Holy Roman Catholic Church, was all-powerful, superior in power even, to many European Kings. And totally used this power in any way they saw fit to procure the subjectivity of its global congregation, and to further strengthen its own hold and power. Anyone who spoke out against the workings of the “Church” was duly deemed a heretic and put to the stake. Therefore people were genuinely in fear of their lives, and having witnessed, over a few short years, the total obliteration of a once omnipotent knightly order, felt total justification for their fear and dread.....I said “totally obliterated”, but was it actually?

We must now look at what could have happened to those knights that appear to have fled!

First we must look at the Fleet of the Knights Templar and the treasure, whatever that was. As I mentioned earlier they must have had prior knowledge of their impending doom for they were nowhere to be found. The main fleet containing the treasure found its way to Scotland. A country with its own problems, being ex-communicated as a country, by the Church of Rome, therefore the Papal Bull  was never sent there, and consequently was non-effective, thereby making it an ideal haven for the fleeing fugitives.There was also strife within itself over its sovereignty, and it was constantly at loggerheads with England. One of the prominent senior family groups of the Knights Templar through its inception and progression was the original Gallic noble family called St.Clair. This family formed a stronghold in Scotland and became the Sinclairs, who throughout the centuries have held prominence with Scottish nobility and higher government, even to this very day, being very well recorded in Scottish history and many recent books on the Chapel at Rosslyn, which was built by the Sinclairs, and is believed to hold a very strong Masonic influence.

Some of the fleet continued to sail the seven seas preying on the ships of the very Catholic countries they felt were responsible for their demise. These ships were manned by “pirates and corsairs”, a phrase I would ask you to bear in mind, and sailed under the banner of the “Skull and Crossbones”. A very strong emblem of the Knights Templar which is to be found on many Templar graves, especially in Scotland, as it was the way many of them were buried. These emblems of mortality are extremely significant in our Masonry.

Bearing in mind the delay on the part of the English King to implement the Papal Bull against the Knights Templar, this would have afforded the persecuted knights time to re-group and receive the news that their fleet and many of their brothers in arms had found a safe haven in Scotland. They would have needed to travel there under cover, which of course was no real problem for they were quite used to developing passwords, codes and all the necessary subterfuge for fugitives on the run. It is somewhat strange how words originally designed for a “cloak and dagger” purpose become absorbed into modern vocabulary without many realising its true origin. One of these words is “ROSE” as in the ceiling rose, through which we hang our central light, why not a tulip or dandelion, why a “ROSE”, I will digress and explain. Not used specifically by the Knights Templar, but probably in some aspect or other.

There was an old system called in Latin “SUB-ROSA” meaning “under the rose” The ancient Romans used to hang roses, particularly white roses over their dining tables to signify that anything said under the roses was deemed safe and never to be quoted outside. In the Middle Ages houses used to surround their doorways with white roses to signify that this was a sympathetic household or a “safe house. The Victorians would make plaster emblems of roses and stick them in the centre of their ceilings over the dining table to signify confidence and freedom in after dinner conversation. With the advent of gas and electricity being placed in the centre of the room, the pipework or wire was passed through the middle of “The Rose”, and the name has continued ever since although many do not realise its origins, age or significance. This type of sign would have been second nature to their particular system of secrecy, which had been finely honed over the past 200 years. They developed a system of “safe houses” and collaborators throughout England leading, by various routes up to Scotland. Where they were welcomed for their various skills and possibly most of all for their undoubtable fighting skills, as the conflagrations between Scotland and England were now coming to a head.

We should now look at the Battle of Bannockburn and Robert the Bruce. Legend has it that Bruce herded all the elderly folk, women and children to drape white sheets over their heads and at the strategically given signal, to come charging and screaming over the hill and hopefully scare the English Army into retreat. According to romantic legend this is what happened, and did put the whole English Army to flight! Romantic? Yes., Realistic? No! The more likely scenario is that after agreeing certain terms with Robert the Bruce on a victory at Bannockburn, the fugitive Knights Templar agreed to advise and assist him in his plight, being heavily outnumbered by the English Army. Agreement was obviously reached for at the most strategic moment of the battle the Knights Templar led a fearsome decisive charge towards the ranks of the English Army. The sight of such a fearsome force in their white mantles together with their famous battle-cry “Beau Seant”, meaning “be noble”, or “be glorious”, charging full pelt on their famous war horses, with their fearsome reputation going before them is what put the fear of God into the English Army. And they did indeed flee, pursued by the jubilant Scots, who immediately slew all they caught.

This incident is the main reason for the success of the Scots at Bannockburn. It is historically recorded that at Bannockburn, immediately after the victory Robert the Bruce founded the first Lodge of Kilwinning, and I quote, “.....for the reception of those Knights Templar who had fled from France....” This obviously was part of the Templar deal with him. Many scholarly historians have attributed the rise of Freemasonry in this manner.

In those days of fanatical religious persecution where there were dire consequences for anyone who hinted at the possibility of being even slightly heretic, the need for anyone fully accused of such a crime, whether true or false, to flee and go underground, was paramount, if you wanted to survive. And the Templars wanted to survive in some form or another.

As the Knights Templar, throughout their formidable history, were entirely steeped in the building of many, many marvellous cathedrals, castles and churches, the construction of which still amaze the architects of today, plus their own culture, with which they became embroiled over the centuries, would naturally be influenced by any ascetic knowledge they may acquire, from the many cultures and schisms they encountered on their many travels, particularly in the Middle East. The most sensible candidate for an expression of their precepts would have to be one that they were already very familiar with, and that candidate was the art of building, or MASONRY. Like a river which begins at the top of a mountain, pure and unsullied, and, on its travels to its final destination, becomes infiltrated many times, sometimes enhanced and sometimes polluted, or even changed off its course, but inevitably its journey must cause change, however slight, from its pure beginnings. Templarism cannot be excluded from this analogy. For example, the religious persecution brought about the biggest change to Templarism, whilst it was on its metaphoric journey. It forced its change to masonry. As, up until that time, Templarism had built as a shield to its possible actualities, the outward image of “Warrior Monks”, and I personally have no doubt that this was in reality just a shield for whatever their real purpose might have been, for there is no record of them having actually protected pilgrims on the road to the Holy Land, which if you remember was their original supposed “raison d’etre”. So the Templars were quite used to this sort of subterfuge, and to slide into another “shield” more suitable to the times than warrior monks, would have been relatively simple for them, and to me quite obvious. Thus, in 1314 ended this official historic order known as the Knights Templar.

This ends the thumbnail history of the Knights Templar, and now would be a good time to bring in some of the Templar “icons” to be found in Freemasonry today.

Looking back at the charges of heresy made against the Knights Templar, one of the most serious was that they “trampled on the cross of Christ”. The reality of the actual step that they took was exactly the same action made by us in the step that we take. To them it represented the actual “ T ” bar cross now accepted by most biblical scholars to be the actual style of the true cross of Jesus, and not the artistic traditional style with the extended upright. When translated to Masonic symbolism this step represents the “ Tau “ cross, said to be the most perfect figure in geometry, and represented on the Installed Masters Apron, indicating that three steps have been completed, and also has  importance in other degrees in Freemasonry. We must remember that in transferring from Templarism to Masonry, they also, in the process,  de-Christianised most of their symbolism, something they had to do in those fanatically Catholic dominated times. This simple transfer of symbolic representation loses nothing of its importance or impact. Most of the symbolic penalties of Freemasonry represent to “those with eyes to see”, the sort of tortures that their comrades were subjected to, during the persecution. One of the extreme penalties suffered by those that refused to submit to the charges of heresy, was that of being hanged until almost dead, the gut being slightly opened, and the entrails pulled out and burned while the victim was forced to watch. When finally dead from being “Hung and Drawn”, the body was cut into four pieces and put on spikes to be displayed in the four corners of the city as a warning to others. Thus “Hung, Drawn and Quartered”, It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see the hidden similarities of the 3rd degree, the four corners of the city being represented by the four Cardinal Winds of Heaven. The Templar Initiation ceremony and progression was similarly effected by degrees, as the aspirant progressed, more was revealed, after a test of merit. The one thing that finally clinched it for me was the names of some of the “Officers”, and the one that takes the prize is the name of the officer who stood outside the door of their preceptory, being armed with a drawn sword, and was called in old Gallic, “Le Tailleur” (pron. Tye-er).Meaning, “He who cuts”. Nowhere else have I seen a more sensible origin for this very important office, and believe me there have been many suggested.

It has been hinted by many eminent historians that there was an organising force behind the peasants revolt. Even Winston Churchill in his History of the English speaking people, mentions the significance of a Great Society behind it. It does seem incredible to me that an insignificant illiterate peasant can rise from nowhere, and for eight weeks command, control and organise up to a 100,000 peasants to form an incredible rebellion.The logistics involved in doing this today would be quite phenomenal, but in those days with no phone, fax, or any communication other than personal contact, it would appear nigh on impossible, certainly beyond the capabilities of a mere peasant. It is now realised that the majority of the buildings that the peasants destroyed were the churches and residences of the Knights Hospitaller. The Templar properties were left intact. How were the peasants able to make this distinction!

The two most important people that they beheaded in their apparent anarchy, were the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Roman Catholic Church in England, and the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller. Why were these two so special to the peasants? Could it be that in exchange for assistance, organisation, and a system of secret codes, from the fugitive Knights Templar, a promise of revenge was carried out by the two leaders of the revolt, the most significant one being called Walter the “Tyler”, just where do you think he got his title from?

The word Cowan is very interesting and was first introduced in Old Scottish Masonry to describe a person who could do the work of a stonemason but did not possess the Masons Word, and has often been used by masonic writers to prove the link to the Guilds, as this word is used by the guilds to describe an unqualified craftsman, or non Guild member trying to practice the craft. But I am afraid they are wrong. A careful perusal of the “Old Charges” reveals the qualifications for acceptance into a Masonic Lodge. The applicant must be free born of a free mother, without physical impediment, sane, and not in his nonage or dotage, that is to say not too young or too old. For if you think about it, how could you, under the religious persecution ruling at that time, being a fugitive, fully trust someone who was not quite all there, through their lack of common sense, or being crippled in some way, or through being too young or too old. the latter two being covered by the words nonage and dotage. In old Gallic there is a word “COUENNE” (pron. KOO-WAHN), which means “ignoramus” or “bumpkin”, aptly describing just the sort of person to whom you would be most unwise to trust your secrets, least of all possibly your very life. It makes profound sense, if you are a group of fugitives, on the run from religious persecution, to have an armed guard outside your door to keep off idiots and snoopers.

In one of the degrees of modern Freemasonry the aspirant is informed that this degree will make him a brother to “Pirates and Corsairs”, I ask you, what does a pirate or a corsair have to do with a stonemason, it can only refer to the fate of some of the fleeing Knights Templar, and to be a constant reminder of those that took to the high seas to escape the persecution.

The toast to Absent Brethren is self explanatory.

The toast to “poor and distressed freemasons where’re dispersed over the face of earth and water”, can only refer to the scattered Knights Templar, and, in the hope that the religious persecutions end....”wishing them a safe return to their native land, should they so desire”...fairly self-explanatory.!!!!!

The Knights Templar used to wear white lambskin “drawers” under their mantles as a sign of purity, and try as I did I could find no evidence of the operative masons wearing white lambskin aprons, they wore aprons made from rough cloth or ordinary cowhide but not white lambskin. Also I could find no actual evidence of ancient stonemasons wearing white gloves.  But according to ancient manuscripts the Knights Templar wore white gloves to preserve their hands for when they “touched God”.   Lastly, the obvious fact that the ceremonies revolve around their first and main objective The Temple of Solomon. To crown this explanation of the origins of Freemasonry, there is a very popular order in Freemasonry that does confirm that Freemasonry did emanate from the Knights Templar, but does not quote any of the reasons of proof that I have offered here, it just simply states it as a fact.

Bearing in mind, and if you accept the facts previously given, the Knights Templar now having achieved some sort of revenge for their  terrible persecution, and possibly avenged the death of their own Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, they were now able to carry on their pursuits, albeit under an apparently different guise, and to quietly watch the developments evolving, and therefore pick the appropriate time for revelation, as and when they saw fit.

Having brought us from 1099 to about 1385, you may well ask “Why did they wait until 1717 to come out of the closet, another 330 years?” A good question, which I will briefly answer. You must bear in mind that England was still a very staunch Catholic country, influenced strongly by the Roman Catholic Church, so it was extreme folly and potentially life threatening to reveal any other religious beliefs, no matter how tenuous.  But soon the wheels of change would slowly begin to move, as I will now explain with a brief overview of the events leading up to 1717.

Most of the 15th Century passed with little historic change. According to ancient manuscripts “Masonry” was steadily growing, and attracted many great thinkers of the times. On 22/8/1485 King Richard III lost the throne and his life at the Battle of Bosworth to Henry Tudor, the Welsh Earl of Richmond, who married Elizabeth of York. His eldest son Arthur died in 1502 from T.B. The next son Henry, aged 18, succeeded in 1509, as Henry the VIII, and married the widow Catharine of Aragon within 6 weeks. After many failed births, in 1516 a daughter, Mary, was finally born. Henry then married Anne Boleyn and sired Elizabeth. Henry was very belligerent and self centred, and caused many rifts and arguments with the Roman Catholic Church and its staunch followers. He did not take kindly to being directed by someone from abroad who was not even a King. So he then formed the Anglican Catholic Church, amid great unrest and general civic dissension against the Roman Catholic Church, due once again to their stern rules and continuing acquisition of wealth, power and especially land.

Edward VI was crowned in 1547 aged 10, ruling for 6 years, and under the guidance of his advisers , repealed the laws of heresy and thereby opened the doors for Protestantism. Lady Jane Grey, backed by a Non-Catholic group, took the throne over Mary, who was a staunch Catholic, and ruled for nine days. Mary then ousted her and ruled for five years, as a fierce Catholic, being ferocious in her faith and its implementation, ordering 300 executions in 3 years. This ferocious campaign increased the religious bitterness already prevalent among her subjects. She went down in history as “Bloody Mary”.

Elizabeth, when queen, re-instated her fathers Anti-Church laws and was ultimately ex-communicated by the Pope. Under Elizabeth England moved more towards Protestantism, some going even further and creating “Puritanism”. 1603 saw the death of Elizabeth. The country was in such religious turmoil, which ultimately led to civil war. There were many assassination plots. The most famous attempt by Guy Fawkes. We still celebrate this failed attempt on November the 5th, but few people today realise that the effigy burned on the fire was originally that of the Pope and not as it is supposed today, of Guy Fawkes. Such was the level of anti-Catholic feeling.

James I greatest achievement was the King James Bible, which is still the biggest selling book today. This was achieved through his close friend and mentor William Shaw, who is the same individual responsible for the Shaw manuscripts, famous in Freemasonry, and from which most of our rituals emanate. James died in 1625 and was succeeded by Charles I. Throughout his reign religious unrest increased even further, until in 1642 Civil War broke out with Charles and the Church on one side and The House of Commons with Oliver Cromwell on the other. It is interesting to note, at this juncture, that there are many quoted incidents regarding the “Masons” of both sides, the most distinctive being, that although a Puritanist Cromwell was also a Mason, and when his army entered Scotland to rout the Catholics and High Anglican Church followers, although they burned and sacked Rosslyn Manor, they did not touch the famous Chapel in any way shape or form. They razed the manor to the ground but left Rosslyn Chapel unscathed. Something totally out of character for their religious beliefs but obviously not their stronger Masonic ones. Charles was defeated in 1642 and on January 30th 1649 he was beheaded. Cromwell as Protector was too puritanical and dictatorial and died in September 1658, his son was too ineffective and the Army invited Charles II to take the throne. On 29th May 1660 Charles came home. In 1666 the Great Fire of London occurred.

The existence of Freemasonry is well documented during Charles II reign and during James II it grew even more, but James was a Catholic. The “Protestant leaders” invited Mary and William of Orange, both strong Protestants, to take the throne.

In 1701 a law was passed allowing only members of the Church of England to take the throne, thereby precluding any future Catholic monarch.This law is still in force today. Also in 1701, Anne, daughter of James II, and the last of the Stuarts, being a staunch Protestant, became Queen.

In 1707 the Union between Scotland and England joined their two crowns and “Great Britain” was born.

In 1714 Anne died and George I began the Hanoverian Dynasty. The country was ruled by Government and strictly Protestant.

In 1715 the Jacobite rebellion surfaced and was quickly put down.

There have, over the centuries, been many accusations that Freemasonry has been quietly instrumental in instigating changes in governmental law and statutes, changes in social reform etc. etc. Even have they been hinted at being the power behind the throne. Noting the comments of Churchill, mentioned earlier regarding the Peasants’ Revolt, and the apparent influence of the advisers and also the influences in other areas such as the Non-Catholic group, Protestant leaders etc. The relationship of William Shaw and King James. The same for the Templars and eventually the Sinclairs and Scotland. The final Union of Scotland and England. We must also bear in mind that one of the main and possibly most laudable of Freemasonrys’ principles is to bring about, by the most peacful means of democracy and understanding, a better world for all. It is difficult not to draw the obvious conclusions.

So ended the centuries long failed struggle to return England to Catholicism and the Holy Roman Church.

With the power of the Roman Catholic Church and its dominant Catholicism removed, now it was safe for the “Knights Templar” to come out of hiding. As Scotland, being ex-communicated, was attractive to the fugitive Knights Templar, so England, with the death of dominant Catholicism, was now attractive to the Knights Templars’ new image of “FREEMASONRY” !!!

Two years later, in 1717, 4 Masonic Lodges decided to “come out of the closet”, now that they had no further need for secrecy, and no reason to hide from the establishment.

Brethren, this concludes my paper for this month. For me the facts speak for themselves, both historically and chronologically. As always, there is much more I could explain, and more detail I could have given, but space does not permit. I hope I have managed to bring you all something of interest, and perhaps given you a fresh approach to our origins.

Thank you all for your kind respectful attention.

May I thank the Lodge for their donation to my charity, The Kent Air Ambulance Appeal, which is my particular effort within the concepts of “Freemasonry in the Community”

If any Brother has any questions, queries or points of view, please do not hesitate to contact me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Em. Kt. Ray Hudson PP, Past Prov.Std. Br (B), 2^nd Provincial Grand Constable (Kent; 2008/9)

Richard Plantagenet Preceptory No. 597

Province of West Kent.

Listed on the Official Lecturers List for:

London Grand Rank Assoc.

The Province of West Kent

The Province of East Kent.