History of Freemasonry

It is reputed, as no actual records exist, that the first meeting of Freemasons took place sometime in the 1600s, probably in a London Stone Masons Guild Hall. The aim of that first meeting was to raise the moral code of men in what was a very turbulent time in English history. This group of men chose the medieval stonemasons as their role models as they were revered as the icons of artisans, and lived by a very strict and honourable moral code. These stonemasons who built fabulous cathedrals and impressive houses and palaces were given as a result many privileges. However, because their high status in society attracted many imposters who tried to gain access into the Stonemasons Guilds, the guild members devised secret ways of recognising each other. These secrets are still used today in modern freemasonry to show Masons are honourable men who strive to help and support those less fortunate than ourselves.

Freemasonry as we know it, with a proper constitution and official records began in London in 1723, and is now a worldwide organisation with many thousands of members. You may be interested to know that over the centuries in addition to many Kings and Princes being Masons, others have included Francis Bacon, Winston Churchill, Erasmus Darwin, Abraham Lincoln, Isaac Newton and Franklin Roosevelt. However, the majority of members were rather less distinguished but were nevertheless regarded as equals within the Lodges, which still applies today.