The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's Century, 1590 to 1710

This book is a new edition of David Stevenson's classic account of the origins of Freemasonry, a brotherhood of men bound together by secret initiatives, rituals and modes of identification with ideals of fraternity, equality, toleration and reason. Beginning in Britain, Freemasonry swept across Europe in the mid-eighteenth century in astonishing fashion--yet its origins are still hotly debated today. The prevailing assumption has been that it emerged in England around 1700, but David Stevenson demonstrates that the real origins of modern Freemasonry lie in Scotland around 1600, when the system of lodges was created by stonemasons with rituals and secrets blending medieval mythology with Renaissance and seventeenth-century history. This fascinating work of historical detection will be essential reading for anyone interested in Renaissance and seventeenth-century history, for freemasons themselves, and for those readers captivated by the secret societies at the heart of the bestselling The Da Vinci Code. David Stevenson is Emeritus Professor of Scottish History at the University of St. Andrews. His many previous publications include The Scottish Revolution, 1637-1644; Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Scotland, 1644-1651; and The First Freemasons; Scotland, Early Lodges and their Members. His most recent book is the The Hunt for Rob Roy (2004). Previous edition Hb (1988) 0-521-35326-2 Previous edition Pb (1990) 0-521-39654-9

this Book Is A New Edition Of David Stevenson's Classic Account Of The Origins Of Freemasonry, A Brotherhood Of Men Bound Together By Secret Initiatives, Rituals And Modes Of Identification With Ideals Of Fraternity, Equality, Toleration And Reason. Beginning In Britain, Freemasonry Swept Across Europe In The Mid-eighteenth Century In Astonishing Fashion--yet Its Origins Are Still Hotly Debated Today. The Prevailing Assumption Has Been That It Emerged In England Around 1700, But David Stevenson Demonstrates That The Real Origins Of Modern Freemasonry Lie In Scotland Around 1600, When The System Of Lodges Was Created By Stonemasons With Rituals And Secrets Blending Medieval Mythology With Renaissance And Seventeenth-century History. This Fascinating Work Of Historical Detection Will Be Essential Reading For Anyone Interested In Renaissance And Seventeenth-century History, For Freemasons Themselves, And For Those Readers Captivated By The Secret Societies At The Heart Of The Bestselling The Da Vinci Code. David Stevenson Is Emeritus Professor Of Scottish History At The University Of St. Andrews. His Many Previous Publications Include The Scottish Revolution, 1637-1644; Revolution And Counter-revolution In Scotland, 1644-1651; And The First Freemasons; Scotland, Early Lodges And Their Members. His Most Recent Book Is The The Hunt For Rob Roy (2004). Previous Edition Hb (1988) 0-521-35326-2 Previous Edition Pb (1990) 0-521-39654-9

This is a classic account of the origins of freemasonry, a brotherhood of men bound together by secret initiatives, secret rituals and secret modes of identification with ideals of fraternity, equality, toleration and reason. Beginning in Britain, freemasonry swept across Europe in the mid-eighteenth century in astonishing fashion yet its origins are still hotly debated today. The prevailing assumption has been that it emerged in England around 1700, but David Stevenson demonstrates that the real origins of modern freemasonry lie in Scotland around 1600, when the system of lodges was created by stonemasons with rituals and secrets blending medieval mythology with Renaissance and seventeenth-century history. This fascinating work of historical detection will be essential reading for anyone interested in Renaissance and seventeenth-century history, for freemasons themselves, and for those readers captivated by the secret societies at the heart of the bestselling Da Vinci Code Freemasonry has always been a highly controversial movement. Yet in spite of the vast literature which has been produced on the subject its origins have remained obscure. The prevailing assumption has been that it emerged in England around 1700, but most of the evidence used to support this interpretation turns out on examination to relate to Scotland. The Origins of Freemasonry represents the first attempt to study this evidence in the context of Scottish history. This is a classic account of the origins of freemasonry, a brotherhood of men bound together by secret initiatives, secret rituals and secret modes of identification with ideals of fraternity, equality, toleration and reason. This fascinating work of historical detection will be essential reading for anyone interested in Renaissance and seventeenth-century history, and for freemasons themselves. The origins of freemasonry are traced to Scotland in this account of the creation of an international movement through a blending of medieval mythology and late Renaissance intellectual influences. The evidence relating to the emergence of modern freemasonry is complex, confusing, and often fragmentary.