British Freemasonry, 1717-1813 Volume 5

Freemasonry was a major cultural and social phenomenon and a key element of the Enlightenment. It was to have an international influence across the globe. This primary resource collection charts a key period in the development of organized Freemasonry culminating in the formation of a single United Grand Lodge of England._x005F_x000D_ The secrecy that has surrounded Freemasonry has made it difficult to access information and documents about the organization and its adherents in the past. This collection is the result of extensive archival research and transcription and highlights the most significant themes associated with Freemasonry._x005F_x000D_ The documents are drawn from masonic collections, private archives and libraries worldwide. The majority of these texts have never before been republished. Documents include rituals (some written in code), funeral services, sermons, songs, certificates, an engraved list of lodges, letters, pamphlets, theatrical prologues and epilogues, and articles from newspapers and periodicals._x005F_x000D_ This collection will enable researchers to identify many key masons for the first time. It will be of interest to students of Freemasonry, the Enlightenment and researchers in eighteenth-century studies._x005F_x000D_ Includes more than 550 texts:_x005F_x000D_ - Many texts are published here by special arrangement with the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, London_x005F_x000D_ - Contains over 260 pages of newly transcribed manuscript material_x005F_x000D_ - Documents are organized thematically_x005F_x000D_ - Full editorial apparatus including general introduction, volume introductions, headnotes and explanatory endnotes_x005F_x000D_ - A consolidated index appears in the final volume