A Short Essay Examining the Influence of the Knights Templar on the Nomenclature and Structure of Freemasonry (Unabridged‪)‬

Certain elements, rituals, and stories have been passed down within the brotherhood of masons from those great workers and architects that created structures from King Solomon’s Temple to the classic churches of the Middle Age. The stories and legends of our progenitor and our first Grandmaster could be true. The layout of the lodge and the offices occupied within the lodges of the Freemasons may indeed date back to the time of King Solomon, yet none of these events explain the strange words, terms, and and military-like events taking place within the lodge today.

 A man with a draw sword, and a warden with a spear guard the outer and inner doors. Members move in precise angles, marching and turning with military precision. Archaic words and terms are uttered, most tracing back to ancient French origins. These events do not line up with what is expected from small groups of stonemasons. They do make sense if highly trained French soldiers were involved. This paper seeks to examine the influence exerted by the Knights Templar on the structure of the Masons as an organization, and the terms used within the rites and rituals of the Freemasons.