So something has compelled me to look into how we started. Everyone has lore and opinions. The only thing I think that can be agreed upon is the 1717 official public "start" date. However, due to other things going on, I just have not had the time to do as much research as I would like. I do have some notes. While in no way these notes are perfect, or even clear, I felt like posting them for comment and to see if people can add to it.
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1717 offical public date.
Regius Poem / Manuscript - First known Masonic Text 64 pages in poetic form. Begins evoking Euclid and his invention of geometry in Egypt. Between 14th century and middle of
15th. Author may have been West England clergyman. First thought a poem of moral duties until article on Freemasonry by James Halliwell in 1840. States Masonry was brought
to England during reign of King Athelstan from 924-939.
Matthew Cooke Manuscript - about 100 documents known as Freemasonry's Gothic Constitutions. Includes an invocation, a mythical legend of ancient Masonry, list of charges and
regulations for Masons and obligation. Published by R. Spencer London in 1861 edited by Mr Matthew Cooke. Has been dated by Hugham at 1450. Book of Charges which is second
part is 14th century, the historical or first part is early 15th. It is a copy of parts of two older manuscripts which have not survived, indicated by a break in the text and
epetition of a portion. Most certainly in the hands of Mr. George Payne, when his second term as Grand Master in 1720 he compiled the General Regulations. Anderson included
his own version of the Constitutions published in 1723. Anderson said to have made use of lines 901-960 of the manuscript.
The wayfarer by Hieronymus Bosch. 1500-1502
Dr James Anderson. First Grand Lodge constitution 1723- States Masonry started 9th century - King Athelstan.
Possible no Masons Guild in 1356. Municipalities had their own laws/rules, no set guidelines.
Mr Batham - Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research - dispossessed monks after dissolution of monasteries England 1536-1538.
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Side note: Lodges with stars for ceiling. Reference to groups that met at night under the stars?
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1717 offical public date.
Regius Poem / Manuscript - First known Masonic Text 64 pages in poetic form. Begins evoking Euclid and his invention of geometry in Egypt. Between 14th century and middle of
15th. Author may have been West England clergyman. First thought a poem of moral duties until article on Freemasonry by James Halliwell in 1840. States Masonry was brought
to England during reign of King Athelstan from 924-939.
Matthew Cooke Manuscript - about 100 documents known as Freemasonry's Gothic Constitutions. Includes an invocation, a mythical legend of ancient Masonry, list of charges and
regulations for Masons and obligation. Published by R. Spencer London in 1861 edited by Mr Matthew Cooke. Has been dated by Hugham at 1450. Book of Charges which is second
part is 14th century, the historical or first part is early 15th. It is a copy of parts of two older manuscripts which have not survived, indicated by a break in the text and
epetition of a portion. Most certainly in the hands of Mr. George Payne, when his second term as Grand Master in 1720 he compiled the General Regulations. Anderson included
his own version of the Constitutions published in 1723. Anderson said to have made use of lines 901-960 of the manuscript.
The wayfarer by Hieronymus Bosch. 1500-1502
Dr James Anderson. First Grand Lodge constitution 1723- States Masonry started 9th century - King Athelstan.
Possible no Masons Guild in 1356. Municipalities had their own laws/rules, no set guidelines.
Mr Batham - Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research - dispossessed monks after dissolution of monasteries England 1536-1538.
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Side note: Lodges with stars for ceiling. Reference to groups that met at night under the stars?