Editorial September 2003

In the last Newsletter it was suggested that there is very little evidence to support the theory that Freemasonry developed from operative stone Masons Guilds and that despite rigorous research there are no records, that exist, to show that medieval Stonemasons’ Guildsexisted at all in England. However, there is clear evidence that points to far older and indeed ancient antecedents to Freemasonry. Brothers, Dr Robert Lomas and Christopher Knight, in the “The Hiram Key”, claim to have established the true identity of Hiram Abif. In their scholarly and convincing research, they forge a clear link, and an unbroken chain that connects every Freemason: with the mysterious rites of ancient Egyptian king-making; the ancient Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon (1118) “Knights Templar”; through to the building of Rosslyn Chapel (1440); and into the modern era beginning around 1449 with the introduction of the First Degree and Mark Masonry. This thought provoking and challenging book, and its sequel the “Book of Hiram” is a must for helping “.... our daily advancement in Masonic Knowledge.