Masonry Redissected - The Scientific Origins of Modern Freemasonry

Samuel Prichard proved in 1730 that there are no short cuts to revealing the origins of Speculative Freemasonry. Professor Charles Lawrence has spent the last fifty years interrogating the context in which the original Founders created Grand Lodge and the institution that, even then, they called 'Modern' Freemasonry.

Placing symbolism, ritual and practices within the general history of the Founders' times, Lawrence has brought their political, philosophical and, above all, scientific influences into a new light. 

This collection of papers tells a new story, about characters well-known and otherwise: who they knew, the works they studied, the times they lived in and, crucially, what they envisioned for the future of Masonry.

Table of Contents

1. Within and Without: the Hidden Mysteries of Nature and Science (Page 1)

2. A Brick by Brick Account of the Metamorphosis of Operative to Speculative Masonry (Page 37)

3. The Role of Compton Wynyates in the Evolution of Freemasonry (Page 93)

4. Hell-fire or Applied Science (Page 164)

5. The Antecedence and Importance of the Hierarchal Structure within Modern Freemasonry (Page 208)

6. Damp, Noxious Vapours or Other Unforeseen Causes, with Respect to the 'Health and Safety', the Recovery of Long Lost Secrets and the Birth of Modern Freemasonry (Page 231)

7. The Liberalisation of the Arts and Sciences with Respect to the Founding of Modern Freemasonry (Page 261)

8. The God of Premier Grand Lodge and the Holy Trinity (Page 303)

9. Questions of Why, Where, What, Who, How Etc., but, More Especially, When the Inception of the Now Holy Royal Arch Took Place (Page 328)

10. Desaguliers' Science and the Origin and Date of Premier Grand Lodge and the Fledgling Holy Royal Arch (Page 373)

11. The Intriguing Similarities of the Huguenots, Dr John Desaguliers and Bernard Palissy, Sons of the La Rochelle Locality of France (Page 399)

12. Synergy of Academic Attainment and Hierarchical Structure's Influence on Modern Freemasonry (Page 431)

13. Contribution to the Symposium of the Dating of the Founding of Premier Grand Lodge (Page 457)

14. Supplementary Paper to Presentation in New York: The Core Structure of Modern Freemasonry (Page 469)

15. Further Findings Regarding the Origins and Purpose of the Royal Arch (Page 485)

16. Tables and Associated Notes Derived from the Minutes and Membership Lists from Quatuor Coronatorum Antigrapha Vol. X (Page 509)

17. Conclusions (Page 632)