What is the history of Freemasonry?
Freemasonry has its origins in the operative lodges and guilds of the Middle Ages, particularly among the craftsmen who built the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe. These early masons formed associations known as 'Lodges' which were separate from their homes and served both as workshops and social spaces. The earliest known Masonic manuscripts, such as the Regius Manuscript (circa 1390) and the Cooke Manuscript (15th Century), indicate that these lodges required secrecy and began to admit non-operative members, known as 'Accepted Masons'.
By the late 17th century, the operative element in lodges diminished, and speculative Masonry began to take precedence. In 1717, four lodges in London formed the first Grand Lodge, marking a significant transition in Masonic organization and the beginning of modern Freemasonry. This Grand Lodge established a framework that allowed Freemasonry to spread globally, dissociating itself from any specific religious creed while maintaining the requirement of belief in a Supreme Being.
Freemasonry's history is complex and often debated, with some scholars suggesting that its roots extend back to ancient times, including connections to the Roman Collegia and the mysteries of ancient religions. However, the formal structure we recognize today began to take shape in the early 18th century, particularly with the establishment of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813, which unified various factions of Freemasonry in Britain.
Overall, Freemasonry has evolved significantly from its medieval origins, adapting to cultural changes while retaining its core principles of brotherhood, morality, and charity.