A History of Operative Stonemasons

An ongoing series on the social history of the Operative Masons – from ancient Egypt to the Modern Day (published in The Square magazine)

Egypt’s ‘Place of Truth’

The Secret Language of the Stone Masons

Mason’s Marks – from Egypt to Europe?

Freemasonry and Women’s Rights

A four-part series written for The Square magazine exploring mixed, Co- and female Freemasonry, and how the Fraternity and its members helped progress the emancipation and rights of women.

Freemasonry and Women’s Rights – Part 1

Freemasonry and Women’s Rights – Part 2

Freemasonry and Women’s Rights – Part 3

Freemasonry and Women’s Rights – Part 4

Cagliostro’s Egyptian Rite

Unfairly, history has been somewhat unsympathetic to a man regarded as an occult charlatan and a purported embarrassment to Freemasonry. His Egyptian Rite is in fact a beautiful work of Hermetic and Masonic philosophy, an introduction to higher alchemical teachings, blending what he believed were the three most honourable and noble arts in the world.

Published in The Square Magazine Click the link to read

Planning without permission – How enthusiastic Freemason Batty Langley set out to ‘improve’ architectural styles

Published in Freemasonry Today June 2017 – click on the link to read

The Curious Case of the Chevalier d’Éon

One of the most intriguing engravings of the 18th century shows an elegant lady holding a sword and staff, wearing a cross of the military order of Saint-Louis and, more bizarrely, wearing a Masonic apron. The engraving is entitled ‘La Découverte ou la Femme Franc-Maçon’ – roughly translated as ‘The Discovery of the Female French Mason’. Rites of Adoption were not uncommon in France, with women being admitted to quasi-Masonic Orders but what was most unusual was that the woman in the picture was actually a man. A cross-dressing author, diplomat, soldier and spy, the Chevalier d’Éon, became a legend in his own lifetime.

Article featured in The Square magazine – click on the link to read.