We must admit that the early history of Freemasonry is lost to the mists of time.

We know that our current Grand Lodge system of government was created in 1717. We know that my Office, that of Deputy Grand Master (an Office “not of much practical importance” according to that great Masonic scholar Albert Mackey) was first utilized in 1721.

So, I suppose since it is easy, we often give 1717 as the foundational date of our Fraternity.

Of course we know better. We know that Masonic Lodges existed long before the creation of the Grand Lodge system of governance. A myriad of documents exist which show Freemasons and Masonic Lodges active long before the concept of a governing Grand Lodge was ever thought of. Additionally, we know that the office of Grand Master existed long before the Grand Lodge system of government.

“The Office of Grand Master of Masons has existed from the very origin of the institution; for it has always been necessary that the Fraternity should have a presiding head.” -Albert Mackey, The Principals of Masonic Law

Various historians have tried through the years to fill in the early history of Freemasonry.

Some of these histories have been quite fanciful and romantic, clearly non-factual. Others purport to be much more serious in scholarship, but seem quite slanted towards the English Grand Lodge and its early propaganda. They seem to completely miss the Scottish and Irish contributions to Masonry, despite the fact that a great many of the Ancient records are of those origins.

This particular void is being well filled by historian Marsha Keith Schuchard.

While she has many publications on early Freemasonry, I am pleased to recommend La Regle d'Abraham, Masonic Esotericism and Politics, the Ancient Stuart Roots of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Role as Hidden Grand Master.

Available From Amazon Here

It is a fun, fascinating, and quick read, exploring Scottish and Ancient Freemasonry, and the use of Freemasonry by political partisans on both sides of the Hanovarian and Jacobite contentions.

If this slim, but fact filled volume inspires deeper interest in the reader, Ms. Schuchard has additional, much more detailed writings available on the same subject.

The factual history of Freemasonry is extremely interesting, and this book presents a little known facet of it in a superb manner. By learning even a little bit of our early history, we can avoid saying obviously incorrect things, such as that Freemasonry was founded in 1717.

I am pleased to recommend this fine volume to you.

#BookReview #History #Schuchard

-Cameron

Cameron M. Bailey Past Grand Master The MW Grand Lodge F&AM of Washington

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