Product Description

Explores the hidden history of Freemasonry from ancient Rome, through the Middle Ages, to the present

• Shows the close connection between medieval masons and the Knights Templar

• Illustrates the sacred nature of Roman and medieval trade associations

• Reveals the missing link that connects the lodges of modern Freemasonry to the medieval brotherhoods of builders

Historians often make a sharp distinction between the operative Masonry of the Middle Ages and the speculative Masonry of modern times, emphasizing that there is no direct bridge connecting the two. Modern historians also have scoffed at Masonic claims concerning the close relationship between the Lodge and the Temple. Using medieval archives housed throughout Europe, historian Paul Naudon reveals that there was in fact a very intimate connection between the Masons and the Knights Templar. Church records of medieval Paris show that most, if not all, the Masons of that time were residents of the Templar censive, which allowed them to enjoy great exemptions and liberties from both church and state as a result of the protection afforded them by this powerful order.

Naudon shows that the origins of Freemasonry can be traced back to the collegia of ancient Rome. He traces the evolution of organizations such as the Comacine Masters, the Arab turuqs, and the brotherhoods of builders created under the aegis of the Benedictines and the Knights Templar, all of which provide the vehicle for the transmission of a sacred tradition from pre-Christian times to the modern era. This tradition is the source of Masonic ritual and symbolism, and it provides the missing link in the transformation of the operative Masonry of the medieval cathedral builders to the spiritual principles of modern speculative Masonry.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #153105 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-07
• Released on: 2005-03-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781594770289
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Ever since Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code took the world by storm, the public can't get enough of books that unmask or further promote its conspiracies about Mary Magdalene, the Gnostic Gospels and famously secret societies like the Knights Templar. Naudon, a scholar in the history of the law and a Freemason himself, traces the origins of the elusive society of Freemasons, of which the medieval Order of the Templars is a branch, illuminating its sources step by step from antiquity to the present. Adopting a generally scholarly scientific and "objective" approach to his subject, Naudon painstakingly constructs the move of Freemasonry from a society of builders to one of intellectual life, sacred ritual being the tie that binds this brotherhood throughout history. Naudon's book is an impressive work of scholarship grounded in fascinating ideas about sacred space, the rituals of building churches, cathedrals and temples, as well as the varied brotherhoods established to conduct what was once considered a divinely inspired activity. For hardcore aficionados of architecture and academics interested in the creation of social sacred space across time, his book is a must-read. However, readers looking for an Elaine Pagels–style accessible foray into the mysteries of Freemasonry will be sorely disappointed. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
"Naudon's book is an impressive work of scholarship grounded in fascinating ideas about sacred space, the rituals of building churches, cathedrals and temples, as well as the varied brotherhoods established to conduct what was once considered a divinely inspired activity." (Publishers Weekly, Apr. 11, 2005 )

"For hardcore aficionados of architecture and academics interested in the creation of social sacred space across time, this book is a must-read."
(Publishers Weekly, Apr. 11, 2005 )

"Naudon's book is a historic tour-de-force . . . . Those intrigued with such books as The DaVinci Code will find in The Secret History of Freemasony the historic truths which underlie the novelists' free-wheeling sspeculations."
(Robert Simmons, Metaphysical Buyers Guide, Holiday 2005 )

"A fascinating book for those with more than a passing interest in architecture as the conscious act of creating sacred space as well as an appreciation of Freemasonty as symbolising man's spiritual quest to build the unseen Temple of the Lord on earth."
(The Beacon, Nov-Dec 2005 )

". . . examines both Freemason history and spiritual concepts and how they changed form early to modern times. . . . fascinating and informative chapters covering everything from cooperative masonry associations to speculative masonry rituals."
(Bookwatch, The Midwest Book Review, Nov 2005 )

"Readers interested in secret societies and Freemasonry will enjoy this well-written account. Those interested in the connection to the Knights Templar will find this must-reading! Highly enjoyable!"
(Lee Prosser, Ghostvillage.com, Feb 17, 2006 )

“I learned more about the facts underlying Freemasonry in this one book than in a dozen others I have read. I highly recommend it to those who wish to learn more about this fascinating topic.”
(Mike Gleason, Witchgrove, March 2007 )

From the Back Cover
HISTORY / SECRET SOCIETIES

Historians often make a sharp distinction between the operative masonry of the Middle Ages--referring to the associations of builders that formed during that time--and the speculative Freemasonry of modern times, emphasizing that there is no direct bridge connecting the two. In addition, they have scoffed at Masonic claims concerning the close relationships between the Lodge and the Temple. Using medieval archives housed throughout Europe, historian Paul Naudon reveals that there was in fact a very intimate connection between the masons and the Knights Templar. Church records of medieval Paris show that most, if not all, of the masons of that time were residents of the Templar censive, which allowed them to work on the Temple’s large building projects and enjoy exemptions and liberties from both Church and state through the protection of this powerful order.

Naudon shows that the origins of today’s Freemasonry can be traced as far back as the collegia--colleges of artisans--of ancient Rome. He traces the evolution of organizations such as the comacine masters, the Arab turuqs, the brotherhoods of builders created under the aegis of the Benedictines and Knights Templar, and the crafts guilds that formed in England--all of which have contributed to the transmission of a sacred tradition from pre-Christian times to the modern era. This tradition is the source of today’s Masonic ritual and symbolism, and it provides the missing link in the transformation of the masonry of the medieval cathedral builders to the spiritual principles of the Freemasonry that exists today.

PAUL NAUDON is a law scholar specializing in the history of civil law and institutions. He is also a Freemason who has held many high-ranking posts in France, including that of Grand Prior of the Gauls (Rectified Scottish Rite) and State Minister for the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He lives in France.

Customer Reviews

One of the best written & researched books ever connecting KT with FM
I have a house full of books on this subject - take my advice!
This one vol. belongs on your short list of books to read which connects the dots between the ancient Knights Templar & modern day Freemasonry. Due yourself a big favor and enlighten yourself with some important historical insights. Unburden your mind of previous theories which refuse to go back to what actually happened.
A novel like the Da Vinci Code this is NOT.
I am talking real scholarship from a translated text written by a Frenchman who knows how life was like in his country hundreds of years ago.
This author causes one to see into the past and understand how the culture really operated at this place & time.
Kind of rare to find a book like this any longer - just the facts please madam.

Now go and due your research on Rosslyn Chapel to complete the story!

"Seek, and ye shall find: if ye do not seek, neither shall ye find."

"A man could read every Masonic ritual there is, and discover all the "secret work," but he still would not be a Mason. Being a Mason does not come from study. It is something that happens in your heart and mind when you take the Degrees."
- Bro. Jerry Marsengill

The hidden history of freemasons from Rome to modern times
The hidden history of freemasons from Rome to modern times is revealed in a survey which traces modern freemasonry back to colleges of artisans in ancient Rome, and their organization evolution to the Arab turuqs, brotherhoods of builders created under the Knights Templar. Spiritual, social and cultural history blend in a survey which examines both Freemason history and spiritual concepts and how they changed from early to modern times. The Secret History Of Freemasonry: Its Origins And Connection To The Knights Templar provides fascinating and informative chapters covering everything from cooperative masonry associations to speculative masonry rituals.

A rare find amongst the myriad of speculative theories
This book presents as one of the best researched in the area of the history of freemasonry. The author has no hidden agendas to meet and so does not dabble in speculation - which unfortunately is becoming the "norm" for books on this topic.

As a thoroughly researched volume it does tend to bog down in names, dates and details, but this only lends more support to it's validity.

If you want a book that cuts through the nonsense you'll read in 60% of what others offer, and yet makes the history it documents almost as diverting as the wild speculations found in other books, this is the book for you. You will learn much.