History of the Freemasons

Hi all,

Can anyone suggest on or offline resources for finding out about the history of the Freemasons? The limited research I've done online has not led to much by way of solid history on when, where and why the Freemasons emerged. I'm also interested substatiating or debunking a theory that the early Freemasons were in some way linked to a parallel sect called the Weavers.

Suggestions welcome!
Tex

reply to post by tixerand


I've collected a wealth of information on this thread: Want the Low-Down on Freemasonry? This Thread's for you!

It's a good place to start; there's a lot of info there. Good luck and if you have specific questions, feel free to ask.

I have also wondered the same, thank you for the link and time you spend to gather up all the information

www.masonicinfo.com has a lot of good information.

also

www.masonicworld.com...

and

www.freemasons-freemasonry.com...

Masonic history lectures

I haven't read it yet, but it's been recommended by a few masons that I know. It's a free e-book comprised of a number of lectures, including, for example:

Freemasonry in social England in the 18th century
Freemaosonry and the leaders of the Vitorian England
Freemason and the New Order
Freemasonry from AD1600 to the Grand Lodge era
Freemasons' Lodges among French prisoners of war
King Solomon's Temple and the story of the 3rd Degree
Masonic KT Statutes 1864
Reason and vision 1909
Testament of Solomon
The Amalgamated Guild of Freemasons 1875
The Ancient Scottish Craft and the 3rd degree
The Royal Ark Mariner History
The Origin of Freemasonry 1857
The Story of Freemasonry
The Story of HA 1944
Freemasonry and the Civil War
Negro Masonry 1897
Communism and Freemasonry 1947

[edit on 1/4/2008 by Saurus]

Freemasonry and Catholicism

Lots of detail regarding the following topics (very interesting read so far):

FREEMASONRY AND CATHOLICISM
by
Max Heindel
[1865-1919]

AN EXPOSITION OF THE COSMIC FACTS UNDERLYING
THESE TWO GREAT INSTITUTIONS AS
DETERMINED BY OCCULT INVESTIGATION

THE ROSICRUCIAN FELLOWSHIP
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
P.O. BOX 713
OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA, 92054, U.S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

* Part I: Lucifer, the Rebel Angel
* Part II: The Masonic Legend
* Part III: The Queen of Sheba
* Part IV: Casting the Molten Sea
* Part V: The Mystery of Melchisedec
* Part VI: Spiritual Alchemy
* Part VII: The Philosopher's Stone--What Is It and How It Is Made
* Part VIII: The Path of Initiation
* Part IX: Armageddon, the Great War, and the Coming Age

The article is written by a Rosicrucian, who, by his own admission, is not a freemason.

In the very first paragraph, the writer states:

THE WRITER IS NOT A MASON, AND THUS HE IS FREE TO SAY WHAT HE KNOWS WITHOUT FEAR OF VIOLATING OBLIGATIONS, BUT HE IS A MASON AT HEART, AND THEREFORE FRANKLY OPPOSED TO CATHOLICISM.

This statement forms the basis of the entire article, yet contains a fundamental flaw:

Freemasons are not opposed to catholicism!

Freemasons welcome all just and upright men who believe in a supreme being, whether they are catholic or not. There are catholics in my lodge, and they have never experienced any anti-catholic sentiment. Nor does the society as a whole oppose catholisism.

The entire article is based on a false premise, and thus makes it rather dubious.

who are the weavers? sounds like something out of loom (the old lucas arts game)

this is a somewhat accurate thread... my dad is a mason and read it and said that there where some minor innacuracys, but nothing to bad. hope it was what you were looking for.

www.totse.com...

(totse is one of my favorite sites)

Originally posted by raptorinvictus
who are the weavers? sounds like something out of loom (the old lucas arts game)

Am trying to gather info on this myself. Some stuff here:

www.history-of-the-cathars.com

Will try to scout out some more links...

The Atlantean Conspiracy: www.linktoit.com/atlanteanconspiracy

Reference the chapters on "The Secret Society Network" and "The Free Masons"

Interesting society the freemasons! going to read a bit more about them tonight when i get the chance!

Originally posted by raptorinvictus
who are the weavers? sounds like something out of loom (the old lucas arts game)

and also found this:
secretpatterns.blogspot.com...

This si also a good website on general Freemasonry.
i know the brother who made this website and he's a very intellegent man.

Freemason Information - History

And here is the origonal website:

Freemason Information

This book presents details of Masonic initiation rituals, along with grips, passwords and regalia. Written in the 19th century, Duncan's Ritual, as it is known, has been republished numerous times. It includes the three basic degrees of the Ancient York Rite, and four additional advanced degrees. There are over a hundred illustrations, all reproduced here, which show important details of the rituals, including gestures and symbolic pictures. Duncan's Ritual is careful to note known variations where they exist. This book will be of interest to beginning Masons who want a roadmap of the craft, as well as experienced Masons who need a review.

Freemasonry was started hear in Scotland. The first Lodge with minutes of a regular meeting is Mother Lodge Kilwinning numbering 0.

It may be that speculative masonry was taken from operative Masons and Cathedral builder's in Gothic Europe but nobody has any proof of this, also stories saying it goes back to the time of the pyramid's are just stories.

Their is also stories of it starting in pub's in London but again stories no minutes are available, so in all the first Lodge with regular minutes was the above named lodge.

People come from all over the world to watch degree's being conferred in the temple.

www.mk0.com...

David