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In its current form, Freemason originated in England, at the beginning of the eighteenth century. At that time, fellows' Lodges had begun to admit members who were strangers to the craft, and the number of these "accepted Masons" rose over the years. They became more interested in working on ideas than on actual building-sites. Thus was born the so-called "speculative" Masonry that is practiced today. |
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In 1717, four Lodges united to constitute the first Masonic body, under the name of the London Grand Lodge. In 1723, Anderson and Désaguliers, both parsons, devised its founding Constitutions. Though formally akin to the "Old Charges" of the guilds, they irreversibly departed from their operative forebears.
The ambitious goal they had was to outgrow the religious conflicts that had torn countries apart by postulating principles of absolute freedom of conscience, toleration, and faith in man's capacity to change himself as well as the world around him.
Though liberal for their time, these Constitutions had no place for women, so that the history of women's Masonry, just as the history of women in general, is a struggle to conquer independence and autonomy. Their access to Masonry has represented a great adventure, spanning more than two centuries. |
