The Secret History of Freemasonry

Contents^

Preface vii

Introduction 1

Part 1: The Origins of Freemasonry from

Ancient Times to the Middle Ages

1 The Ancient Corporations:

Colleges of Builders in Rome 4

2 The Collegia and the Barbarian Invasions 18

3 Ecclesiastical and Monastic Associations 34

4 Secular Brotherhoods:

The Germanic and Anglo-Saxon Guilds 51

5 The Crusades and the Templars 62

6 The Templars, the Francs Metiers, and Freemasonry 81

7 The Templars and the Parisian Builders 102