The Secret History of Freemasonry

The Templars, the Francs Metiers, and Freemasonry 101

1. The Templars formed monastic builders associations that pos-
   sessed Greco-Roman traditions passed down by the Benedictines
   and Cistercians.


2. The Templars had close ties to Christian and Muslim architec-
   tonic associations in the East and were subject to their operative
   and initiatory influences.


3. In Europe the Templars were the source of the creation and
   development of builders associations that long enjoyed specific
   exemptions. The terms francs metiers and freemasonry are
   derived from these associations.


4. Following the dissolution of the Templar Order, a certain num-
   ber of Templars were incorporated into the mastery associations
   of builders.

To give a wider illustration of the formation and survival of free
builders associations over the centuries in the Templar domains, we will
give close attention in the next chapter to the example of Paris, seat of
the most important commandery in Europe and headquarters of the
Templar Order following its abandonment of the Holy Land.