Product Description

In this enthralling historical detective story, the authors of "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail" trace the flight after 1309 of the Knights Templar from Europe to Scotland, where the Templar heritage was to take root, and would be perpetuated by a network of noble families. That heritage, and the Freemasonry that arose from it, became inseparable from the Stuart cause. The "Temple and the Lodge" charts the birth of Freemasonry through the survival of Templar traditions, through currents of European thought, through the mystery surrounding Rosslyn chapel, and through an elite cadre of aristocrats attached as personal bodyguards to the French king. Pursuing Freemasonry through the 17th and 18th Centuries, Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh reveal its contribution to the fostering of tolerance, progressive values, and cohesion in English society, which helped to pre-empt a French-style revolution. Even more dramatically, the influence of Freemasonry emerges as key facto in the formation of the United States of America as an embodiment of the ideal 'Masonic Republic'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #146878 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

From the Publisher
The international bestseller, stunningly repackaged

From the Back Cover
THE MOST ILLUMINATING INVESTIFATION YET PUBLISHED OF THE EVOLUTION OF FREEMASONARY
In this enthralling historical detective story, the authors of The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail trace the flight after 1309 of the Knights Templar from Europe to Scotland, where the Templar heritage was to take root, and would be perpetuated by a network of noble families. That heritage, and the Freemasonry that arose form it, became inseparable form the Stuart cause.
The Temple and The Lodge charts the birth of Freemasonry through the survival of Templar traditions, through currents of European thought, through the mystery surrounding Rosslyn chapel, and through an elite cadre of aristocrats attached as personal bodyguards to the French king. Pursuing freemasonry through the 17and 18th centuries, Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh reveal its contribution to th fostering of tolerance, progressive values, and cohesion in English society, which helped to pre-empt a French-style revolution. Even more dramatically, the influence of Freemasonry emerges as a key factor in the formation of the United States of America as an embodiment of the ideal 'Masonic Republic'.
'A worthy conclusion to their investigations into secret societies ancient and modern' The Sunday Times
'Meticulously researched and annotated and well worth reading' Oxford Times

About the Author
Michael Baigent graduated from Christchurch University, New Zealand. Richard Leigh followed up his degree from Tufts University, Boston, with postgraduate studies at the University of Chicago and Stony Brook New York State University. They are co-authors of The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail, The Messianic Legacy and The Temple and the Lodge.

Customer Reviews

Quite Informative
This is the first book that I have read on the subject of Freemasonary and its history. I did enjoy the book and I did find it informative. However, it did get somewhat tedious in places. I felt that the book lacked in terms of balance, in some sections names and references are just reeled of, with nothing to interest the reader or captivate the imagination!
All in all not a bad book, I did come away learning something on the subject. To sum up informative, but, a little tedious in places.

A Mason to Even the score
This book is far more accurate than it is inaccurate. It looks hard to find the truth of the history of Freemasonry, and I think the tentative conclusion that can be drawn from reading it is that the Craft does more good than harm in the World, but at times Masons have been badly divided among themselves and very heavily politically motivated.

Essentially the authors argue that Modern Freemasonry was held in trust by the Sinclair family in Scotland for generations. That Scotland became the home of Freemasonry because the Scotland of Celtic orientated Robert the Bruce was a safe haven for Templars at the time of the dissolution of the Order. They further argue that Freemasonry played a major role in the development of a World Wide Civil rights movement and was a major force in the shaping of the political structure of the Modern USA. It is not a bad thesis, with easily as much in it to make Mason's proud than ashamed.

I am writing this article to give the book a good rating because I amm somewhat ashamed of fellow Mason's bad-mouthing the efforts of people to elucidate Masonic History while English Grand Lodge insists Freemasonry started in 1717, if not 1770. This stance, and Masonic reviewers at this site, are making the Craft a laughing stock.

Baigent and Leigh should be praised for their efforts, and if Craft members think what they have done is not good enough then they should do better themselves - and if you do - be honest!!

Hooked From the Start!
As a Scotsman who has been brought up in a family with Masonic connections, I wished to read this book as a means to develop more of an understanding of the Craft. I was not disapponted - as my review title suggests, the introduction had me hooked - the author's travels to the rugged Argyll area and his discoveries there had me slavering for more (and had me visiting the very area only a few days later). This was the personal hook that reeled me in for the remainder of this fascinating story.

As with "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", it appears that certain "convenient" connections are made, making the reader more than a little bit sceptical at the truth of the story. However, I would be willing to wager that a substantial proportion of the research is close to the mark.

From the Temple of Solomon through to WW2, you can make your own mind up as to how influential the hermetic societies are upon reading this book.

For anyone interested in the roots of the Masonic Craft, I would recommend this highly, as I am quite sure the Grand Lodge of Scotland has done also.