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It is obvious the Masonic Fraternity has existed since time “immemorial”. A widely accepted theory among Masonic scholars is that it arose from the stonemasons’ guilds during the Middle Ages, even though biblical references extend back to the days of King Solomon and beyond. The language and symbols used in the fraternity’s rituals come from era of the Middle Ages. One of the oldest documents which make reference to Masons is the Regius Poem, printed about 1390, which was a copy of an earlier work. Our traditions can be traced directly to the associations of operative masons. They were men of outstanding character and high ideals, who built the cathedrals, abbeys, and castles of the Middle Ages. With the decline of cathedral building in the 17th Century, many guilds of stonemasons, called "Operative" masons, started to accept into their member- ship those who were not members of the masons' craft and called them "Speculative" or "Accepted" Masons. It was in these groups, called lodges, which comprised mainly of "Accepted" Masons that Freemasonry, as we know it today, had its beginning. In 1717, four such lodges, which had been meeting regularly in London, united to form the first Grand Lodge of England under the direction of one Grand Master, and records from that point on are more complete. From that first Grand Lodge, Freemasonry has spread throughout the world. Today, some 150 Grand Lodges have a total membership of approximately four million Masons. |
| Ancient Free & Accepted Masons |
| Website Last Updated On April 21, 2007 © 2006-2007 Tannehill Lodge No.52 All Rights Reserved. |
Tannehill Lodge No. 52 Texas Masonry Since 1849 |
