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This book is a new edition of David Stevenson's classic account of the origins of Freemasonry, a brotherhood of men bound together by secret initiatives, rituals and modes of identification with ideals of fraternity, equality, toleration and reason. Beginning in Britain, Freemasonry swept across Europe in the mid-eighteenth century in astonishing fashion--yet its origins are still hotly debated today. The prevailing assumption has been that it emerged in England around 1700, but David Stevenson demonstrates that the real origins of modern Freemasonry lie in Scotland around 1600, when the system of lodges was created by stonemasons with rituals and secrets blending medieval mythology with Renaissance and seventeenth-century history. This fascinating work of historical detection will be essential reading for anyone interested in Renaissance and seventeenth-century history, for freemasons themselves, and for those readers captivated by the secret societies at the heart of the bestselling The Da Vinci Code. David Stevenson is Emeritus Professor of Scottish History at the University of St. Andrews. His many previous publications include The Scottish Revolution, 1637-1644; Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Scotland, 1644-1651; and The First Freemasons; Scotland, Early Lodges and their Members. His most recent book is the The Hunt for Rob Roy (2004). Previous edition Hb (1988) 0-521-35326-2 Previous edition Pb (1990) 0-521-39654-9
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The origins of freemasonry
THE ORIGINS OF FREEMASONRY
David Stevenson Professor of Scottish History University ofSt Andrews
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, Sao Paulo Cambridge University Press 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, USA www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/97805213S3267 © Cambridge University Press 1988 This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 1998 First paperback edition 1990 10th printing 2005 Printed in the United States of America A catalog record for this publication is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Stevenson, David, Ph.D. The origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's century, 1590-1710 / David Stevenson. p. cm. Bibliography. Includes index. ISBN 0 521 35326 2 1. Freemasonry - Scotland - History. I. Title. HS597.A5S74 1988 366'.l'09411-dcl9 88-5040 ISBN-13 978-0-521-35326-7 hardback ISBN-10 0-521-35326-2 hardback ISBN-13 ISBN-10
978-0-521-39654-7 paperback 0-521-39654-9 paperback
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For my parents, Alan Carruth Stevenson and Annie Gordon Sheila Steven
Contents
List of plates Preface List of abbreviations and conventions 1 Introduction
page ix xi xv 1
Masonic history The origins of freemasonry The Scottish evidence Problems of definition
1 5 7 9
2 The Medieval contribution The organisation of the craft The Old Charges
13 13 18
3 William Schaw, master of works and general warden The life of William Schaw The Coplands of Udoch, wardens of the masons The First Schaw Statutes The Second Schaw Statutes
26 26 32 34 44
4 The Sinelairs of Roslin and the masters of works The First St Clair Charter The Sinelairs of Roslin The Second St Clair Charter The struggle for jurisdiction The Falkland Sta