Showing results for "Mason" in Europe

In The Temple and the Lodge, Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh reveal the survival and evolution of a world-changing order through the birth of the Masonic lodge. Recounting the brutal events in the 14th century that led to the sudden disappearance of the Knights Templar - a powerful military and banking order founded in 1119 and active in the Crusades - the authors document the Templars' reappearance in the court of excommunicate Scottish king Robert the Bruce.

They built some of the first communal structures on the empire's frontiers. The empire's most powerful proconsuls sought entrance into their lodges. Their public rituals drew dense crowds from Montreal to Madras. The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons were quintessential builders of empire, argues Jessica Harland-Jacobs.

Like most legends, the origins of Freemasonry are still disputed to this day. The earliest mention of the society traces back to The Halliwell Manuscript, or Regius Poem, authored sometime between the late 14th and the early 15th centuries. The Society of Freemasonry is one of the most controversial brotherhoods in the history of mankind. This book examines the origins and history of the controversial brotherhood, its expansion across the globe, and some of the most mindboggling conspiracy theories that surround the society to this day.

Many conspiracy theories have emerged over hundreds of years ranging from the Freemasons being accused of being Satanists who are controlling the New World Order, to manipulating the world’s economic systems and food sources, to faking the Moon landings. They claim to be a "secret" society only to preserve their sacred signs, symbols and words of the Order traditionally used by Masons to identify and communicate with those within their ancient brotherhood. Although generations of Freemasons have steadfastly taken their oath to secrecy, some within the Order are speaking out for the first time.