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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An illuminating, objective, & beautiful work of scholarship, 15 Feb 2006
By A Customer
‘Freemasonry: A History’ covers the development
of Freemasonry from the rituals and mythology of the
stonemasons of the medieval period, through the
creation of the Masonic Ritual of three degrees, the
formation of grand Lodges, and the early Masonic
personalities, to the explosion of mystical Masonic
rituals and societies that appeared on the European
continent during the eighteenth century. Carefully guiding
the reader through Freemasonry’s history, and with
over 150 photographs of Masonic
artifacts, many of them rarely seen, this book gives both the general reader and the specialist access to a world that has remained enshrouded in myth and misunderstanding.
Author Angel Millar also explores many
fascinating and rarely discussed subjects, such as
the self-proclaimed ‘Masonic’ society of the Strict
Observance (claiming to descend from the Knights
Templar), as well the Golden Rosicrucians (a now
extinct society once exclusive to Freemasons), both of
which held sway on the European continent in the
eighteenth century. There are two chapters dedicated
to the ‘higher degrees’, one focusing on those obscure
Masonic societies already mentioned, and the other on
the adoption of rituals such as the Rose Croix
degree into the still existent York and Scottish Rites. In the last chapter Millar discusses other mystical societies related in one way or another to Freemasonry, ranging from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Theosophical Society to the
Shriners.
‘Freemasonry: A History’ carefully studies the
development of the most important Masonic rituals
(e.g., the three degrees up to Master Mason, the Royal
Arch, etc.). Millar quotes not only from old
manuscripts, seventeenth and eighteenth century
newspaper reports, the diary of the first English
Freemason, Elias Ashmole, and statements of the United
Grand Lodge of England, but also from the Masonic
Ritual itself, specially as he discusses the
philosophy and symbolism of the society. Notable also,
Millar discusses the theories of Masonic historians
regarding, for example, the possibility of influences from Cabala, English mystic Robert Fludd, the Knights Templar, alchemy, etc., one the one hand, and geometry, astronomy, and Isaac Newton on the other.
There is also a section dedicated to the
growth of Freemasonry in America, and its influence on
such notable figures as Benjamin Franklin and the first President of the U.S.A., George Washington. The chapters (with a brief description of each)
are: Introduction:
An overview of Masonic history. Millar also explains
some of the vocabulary peculiar to Freemasonry, such
as ‘token,’ which originally meant ‘symbol’. 1. The Legend of The Craft:
This section looks at the mythology of the medieval
builders and how and why it was adopted by
Freemasonry, quoting from manuscripts dating from the
late 14th century. Also discussed is the use of
rituals by trade guilds such as the French Companions,
often regarded as related to Freemasonry. 2: An Exchange of Secrets:
A discussion of the intellectual background to
Freemasonry – the publication in England of Euclid’s ‘Elements’
with its preface by astrologer, John Dee; the first
appearance of the (later Masonic symbol of) the Square
and Compasses, etc.
3: Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism:
A discussion of the original Rosicrucian group in
Germany and its possible link with, or influence on, the
nascent Freemasonry. There are numerous quotes from
seventeenth century reports of the supposed connection
of the two societies. 4: The Three Degrees:
The founding of the first Grand Lodge and the
official establishment of Freemasonry. A discussion of
the symbolism of the first three degrees of
Freemasonry. 5: Drafting the Foundation:
A discussion of the symbolism of Solomon’s Temple in both Freemasonry and in the work of scientists who may
have influenced Freemasonry, such as Newton and
Bacon. An exploration of the symbolism of geometry in
Masonry, especially regarding the early practice of
drawing a plan of the Lodge on the floor. 6: The Royal Art:
An exploration of the Royal Arch degree, as well as
the possible influences of the English mystic, Robert
Fludd and the German astronomer, Johannes Kepler. A
discussion of the Masonic symbol of the beehive and
esoteric Masonry. 7: The Golden Fleecing:
An examination of mystical Masonic societies in
eighteenth century Europe, such as the Golden
Rosicrucians, Memphis and Mizraim, etc. Particular
attention is paid to the Masonic symbol of the Golden
Fleece. 8: The Higher Degrees Established:
An explanation of why Freemasonry today has many
various rituals, degrees, and ‘Rites’. An examination
of the history and symbolism of the most important of
the higher degrees, such as the Rose Croix and the
Knights Templar Degree. 9: Pledging Allegiance:
Freemasonry in America. Its influence on Franklin and Washington, the Civil War, etc. 10: Last Rites:
The creation of mystical societies by Freemasons, such
as the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, and the
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The relationship of
the early Theosophical Society to Freemasonry. Other
societies discussed are the Shriners and the Grotto.
In particular this section explores the various,
though almost unknown, myths of the Shriners’ origins
in the Far East, and the possibility that the society
was originally intended as a highly mystical fraternity. Appendix: Women and Freemasonry:
An exploration of women Freemasons, as well as the
Order of the Eastern Star. Glossary of Terms. Notes. Bibliography. Index.
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by Jeremy Harwood
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