Freemasonry Origins

Since the middle of the 19th century, Masonic historians have sought the movement's origins in a series of ancient documents known as the Old Charges, dating from the Regius Poem in 1425 to the beginning of the 18th century. The Old Charges include rules and regulations for training operative stonemasons in the guilds of Medieval times.

Over time, men who were not operative masons began entering the lodge communities. These men became known as "accepted" or "speculative" Masons, while the craftsmen adopted the moniker of "free" Masons. Together they became known as the "Free and Accepted" Masons from which modern Freemasonry has descended.

The earliest rituals and passwords from operative lodges stem from the turn of the 17th–18th centuries. They show continuity with the traditions developed in the later 18th century by accepted or speculative Masons, as those members who did not practice the physical Craft came to be known. The minutes of the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No. 1 in Scotland show a continuity from an operative lodge in 1598 to a modern speculative Lodge. It is reputed to be the oldest Masonic Lodge in the world.