This is an article I published on April 1, 2014, April Fool's Day. It eventually became a chapter in the book: Building Free Men - Uncommonly Freeing Masonic Education - Volume 8. Its research, writing and subsequent publication also became the inspiration and foundation for The Craft Unmasked - The Uncommon Origin of Freemasonry and Its Practice.
I was told by several critical members of the Fraternity that:
"Take this from this if this be otherwise.
If circumstances lead me, I will find
Where truth is hid, though it were
hid indeed
Within the center." – Polonius[1]
It
is of no small coincidence that the phrase, “hidden within plain sight” has dwelled so significantly within the
hearts of those Craft members who have experienced one revelation after
another. They have lived it and hence this
phrase specifically states with no reservation what they have experienced
firsthand. What is special about the
phrase is what it most perfectly expresses to those who are Seeking: what is desired can and shall be found once you
have trained yourself to See differently.
This phrase hits home. It does so
with those who zealously Seek to find and unravel the mysteries they desire
most. So it is with the mystery behind
the word, “Freemason”. This especially with those who ask
themselves: What were this specific
word’s origins and its originally intended meaning?
---------------------------
I’ve
referred to what I do as Masonic
Forensics, rather than Masonic
Archeology, due to the fact that I am not digging up the past most of the
time trying to figure it out. Rather,
the work I do is more geared toward solving puzzles, and sometimes this leads
to solving some remarkable mysteries. This is what I have made effort to do
in evaluating the assorted sources of speculation as to the origins of the
word, “Freemason”. These speculations usually fall into a few narrow
categories but every last one of them could be considered fraudulent once one
considers the conjectures supporting their collective conclusions.
Misleading Origins
As
shared previously, “… it becomes clear that
schisms exist in how the word [Freemasonry] was thought to have come
about. Some sources [2]
claimed Free-Masons were Masons who worked freestones and the word eventually
merged through common use. Others
claimed that these were merely free men who were also Masons. Still others claimed that it was only through
their association with a guild that these Masons were free to travel, work,
earn and contribute. And yet there are
some who state just the opposite: that this applied to Masons who are free from
the constraints of guilds and lords.”
To
say authorities on the subject differ as to origins of the word, “Freemasonry”, would be grossly simplifying
things. However, this is nowhere near
the intent of this writing. The intent
is to share a few clear connections that have been hidden in plain sight for
over three centuries and that have yet to draw the attention of Craft members
or those members who reconnoiter through its cloistered histories.
The
quest to uncover this mystery started with Perpending the word “Freestone”. There are authorities within the ranks of
Freemasonry who have insisted that this specific word was the reason behind Masons
of old eventually being called, “Freemasons”. They have collectively claimed in one manner
or another that, “the word appears to have
contracted from Free-stone-mason to Free-Mason, to Freemason” and freemason “meant
one who carved freestone.”
Unfortunately,
it is conjectures like these that have spread as highly contagious thought viruses
throughout the un-inoculated Craft world and done so by eagerly trusting and
well-meaning Brothers. Moreover, the
conjectures and their carriers actually do the Craft more harm than good by
misleading generations into believing unfounded falsehoods. Furthermore, Brothers are led in directions
that do not serve to Cultivate them toward what Freemasonry was originally
intended. How can any such misleading Light be considered anything but
counter-productive and unhealthy for the Craft as a whole?
Freestone
“Freestone” is commonly defined in modern
usage as, “rock that can be cut easily in
any direction without splitting or cracking, in particular a fine-grained
sandstone or limestone of uniform texture.” This
description does not cut deep enough into the reason why such a stone is
called, “free”. Not going deep enough is understandable,
since most Brothers depend upon others to provide to them the Light that they
desire so much. That Light is often
provided incompletely and superficially, and usually without substantial
backing. But, just as applied Bastard
Ashlars, the beautiful façade provided by them is backed by inferior
workmanship.
The
word, “Free” as used within the word,
“Freestone”, actually takes its
origins from the French word, “Franche[3]”,
and is misunderstood to be describing stones that are free from flaws
and that are easily worked in any direction.
It is an assumption
that the words “Freemason” and “Freestone” are indeed associated based
upon the meaning assigned today to the word “Free”. Unfortunately,
associating the name of workers with the type of stone these workers worked
upon is an erroneous
conjecture.
It is also not a sound assumption.
Unless
you actually investigate the root of the word, “Franche[4]”,
you shall never see the significance of its use, especially when it is used in
conjunction with words like, “mason”,
“stone” or “court”. Minimal research
efforts reveal that the words, “Franche”
and “Franc” originally signified, “excellence” and “superiority”. One can easily see this in other related words
like “Frankincense” that contain the
“Franc” root. This example comes from the Old French words,
“franc encens”, meaning, “Superior Incences”[5]. It was in this vein that “Freestone”, originally “franche pierre[6]” or “superior/excellent stone” was so
named.
Freemason
Likewise,
workers called, “free masons”, were “superior/excellent builders”, no matter
what materials with which they used to build.
It is clear that the word “Freemason”
did not originally refer to a specific type of stoneworker. It referred to a specific skill level of a
special type of worker overall and especially one who worked with stone in
general, not just freestone.
Direct
evidence as to this connection can be seen in literature. Many Brothers have read phrases like, “mestre mason de franche peer[7] {as
in: pierre or stone}” [master mason of free stone] is the most significant and
probable origin of the term “freemason”.[8] They
might not realize that both the authors and reporters of such statements have
placed their conjecture forth into the world and unfortunately in doing so, they
are putting into motion opinions that shall eventually be taken as accepted dogma
by Brothers who shall never investigate their opinions any further. They shall accept their opinions as their own.
All
that needs to occur to prevent this is doing proper work. When the phrase “mestre mason de franche pierre” is properly translated, it reads, “master mason [as in “masterful builder”] of
superior/excellent stone”. In this
case, it is not just about the material the worker works; it is about the skill of the worker doing the work and the superiority
of the materials being worked!
This
information is supported by many sources, but one that shall be shared herein
is the writing of one Reverend Walter William Skeat[9].
In his book on English Etymology, the author writes quite frankly:
Etymology
“Freestone. This word occurs in Shakespeare, in the compound freestone-coloured, As You Like It, iv. 3. 25. And
much earlier, spelt frestane, in Weber's Met. Rom. iii. 118. I have had
some difficulty in tracing its etymology. The dis
correct or corrupt; and again, in finding out what is the meaning of free, if it be correct. This difficulty existed long
ago, for I remember meeting with the spelling frieze-stone, though I
forget where, as if the derivation were from stone suitable for making a
frieze. In Johnson's Dictionary, two contradictory reasons for the name
are given. The former is, because it can be dug up freely in any direction,
which makes no good sense; and the latter, because it can be cut or wrought
freely in any direction, which is practically right. The difficulty is entirely
solved by observing that the word is a mere translation from the French franche
pierre. Cotgrave, as usual, gives us the correct answer. He gives: 'Pierre
franche, the (soft white) freestone'; and further explains the F. franc by 'without any
fault or ill quality.' Littre" has: 'Pierre franche, pierre
parfaite dans son espece, qui n'a ni la mollesse du moellon, ni la durete"
du caillou,' i.e. a stone perfect in its kind, having neither the softness of a
soft stone, nor the hardness of flint. We may thus understand free to
mean of excellent quality, without flaw, easily wrought in any direction. I may add that the expression fraunche
piers [10], meaning 'stones of excellent quality,' occurs in the
English Allit. Romance of Alexander, l. 4356: and the expression precious
piers, i.e. precious stones, in i.5270 of the same. [85-7; 20.]”[11]
It is clear that the word, “Franche”,
that is translated to “Free” and used
within conjoined words such as “Freemason”
and “Freestone” describes both the stone and the worker. What is not clear to most Brothers is that how
the word “free” as used and understood within these words today is not how it was used and meant originally. The word “Free” as it was originally understood and used years ago referred
solely to the superiority or excellence of both.
Just as the stone was labeled “Franche”
or “Free”, because it was “superior” or “excellent” in its nature, the stone worker obtained his associated
label “free” by virtue of the “superior” and “excellent” work that he produced, no matter what materials he
worked. The stone worker did not get his
associated name from the fact that he worked upon a specific type of stone or
for that matter that he was somehow “free”
to do his work, as the word “free” is
currently understood by most people today. He was referred to as “free” because the word meant “superior” or “excellent”. A “Superior Builder”, or “Free Mason”, is called such because that
is exactly what he was!
Eureka
Just as the stone was labeled “Franche”
or “Free”, because it was “superior” or “excellent” in its nature, the stone worker obtained his associated
label “free” by virtue of the “superior” and “excellent” work that he produced, no matter what materials he
worked. The stone worker did not get his
associated name from the fact that he worked upon a specific type of stone or
for that matter that he was somehow “free”
to do his work, as the word “free” is
currently understood by most people today. He was referred to as “free” because the word meant “superior” or “excellent”. A “Superior Builder”, or “Free Mason”, is called such because that
is exactly what he was!
Furthermore, what made possible this excellent worker’s ability to
freely travel, work any stone, be free to work and to do so with or without a
guild was the simple fact that his work and, more specifically, his skills
overall, were “Masterful!”[12]
Furthermore
The ramifications
of this Light are enormous. It means that most every guild name and trade in the
past that was prefaced with “Franche”
or “Free” can no longer be considered referring to anything but “Excellent” or “Superior” workers. This also
indicates that the phrase, “Free &
Accepted” Masons could not possibly mean, “Operative & Speculative” Masons. In this Light, the phrase can only mean “Superior-Excellent
& Apprentice[13]” Masons. And that’s fodder for another article.
Points to Perpend
1)
How often do you accept what Light Brothers offer you
without doing your due diligence on what is shared?
2)
When you do accept what is
offered and then find the Light shared was inferior
work, how do you feel about your choices or decisions?
3) What actions can you take into
the future to assure that the Light you are offered is accepted in the Light in
which it is given?
[1] Hamlet
Act 2, Scene 2, Shakespeare
[2] The exact origin of the free- is a subject of
dispute. Some [e.g. Klein] see a corruption of French frère "brother," from frèremaçon "brother mason;" others say it was
because the masons worked on "free-standing"
stones; still others see them as "free"
from the control of local guilds or lords. (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=freemason)
[3] And the root, “Franc”.
[4] Sometimes written, “Fraunche”.
[5] Unlike the modern day meaning of the word,
“Frank”, which has migrated
semantically in meaning toward “candid”.
[6] Sometimes written, “pierre franche” or
“pierre fraunche” depending on the era or region.
[7] Act 25 Edw. III. ST. II. C. 3. C.E. 1350
[8] Origin of the Word "Freemason"; The
Royal Arch Mason Winter 1964; Bird H. Dolby, PGHP (Maryland) commenting
upon statements within a paperback edition of a book by G.G. Coupon of St.
Johns College, Cambridge, England, entitled, “Medieval Faith and Symbolism” (published by Harper and Brothers,
New York).
[9] Litt.D., D.C.L., LL.D., Ph.D.; Elrington and Bosworth
Professor of Anglo-Saxon and Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge
[10] Piers – common Old French form of masc.
proper name “Peter”, from Latin
Petrus, from Greek Petros, literally "stone, rock,", Old French
Pierres, French Pierre, Peer, etc.
[11] “Notes on English Etymology – Chiefly
Reprinted From The Transactions Of The Philological Society”; published in
1901; Author: Reverend Walter William Skeat, Litt.D., D.C.L., LL.D., Ph.D.
[12] The closest that I have been able to so
far ascertain that any scholar, writer, historian or researcher has come to the
conclusion that “free” meant “superior” or “excellent” were two brilliant submissions made to Volume X of the
“Transactions of the Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Lodge”
by Bro. G. W. Speth, P.A.G.D.C., F.R.Hist.S. in his “Free
And Freemasonry; A Tentative Enquiry” (pages 10 through 33) and Dr. W. Begemann in his response to
Bro. Speth, “On The Meaning Of Free In Freemason” (pages 155 – 157). Both writers indicate that they believed from
provided documented evidence that “free”
workers were special workers endowed with special freedoms, but neither
indicated in their writings that the word “free”
actually meant “superior” or “excellent”. If they truly were on the verge of making the historical
connection as to the source of the word “Freemason”
that is discussed herein, they never reported its connection to the archaic
meaning of the words, “frank”, “franc” or “franche”. Their writings
consistently show that they assumed the word “free” was associated only with certain “freedoms” alone rather than the quality of the “skills” required to obtain such freedoms,
as do all those who have made reference to their works and the works to which many
historians and related authors refer. Their
two submissions are worth reading, especially in Light of this recent revealed connection
to the archaic meaning of the word “Franche”.
[13]
See “accepted”; Mackey’s Encyclopedia of
Freemasonry (1917)
