The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar

About this book

Medieval stoneworkers, the Knights Templar and modern lodges are brought into the same story in The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar. The author tries to uncover a continuous tradition beneath changes of name and institution.

The argument belongs to a long history of Masonic origin theories, where fragmentary records, ritual parallels and cherished legends are often woven together. Such links require more evidence than resemblance alone can supply. The value of the volume lies in the claims an earlier generation was prepared to make about its own inheritance, and the role secret histories played in a fraternity's self-understanding.