Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry (ISBN 0871316021)

A Work of Brilliant Scholarship, Engagingly Written:
A Work of Brilliant Scholarship, Engagingly Written Reviewed by William Courson In "Born in Blood," John J. Robinson, an avocational historian and medievalist, makes a patiently reasoned and thoroughly documented re-appraisal of the Peasant's Revolt of 1381 in England (known popularly as Wat Tyler's Rebellion) and emerges with a truly convincing demonstration of the sub rosa connections between the Templar order, the Wat Tyler uprising and the foundations of Freemasonry. It had for long been thought that this popular revolt against a pathologically avaricious landlord class, a backward, decadent Church and corrupt, venal and self-involved royalty was but a lightning flash, operating under a disorganized, "ad hoc" leadership. Mr. Robinson has effectively disproved this. "Born in Blood" demonstrates convincingly that far from being a spontaneous swelling of discontent, the revolt was a well-planned and highly organized attempt on the part of remnants of the Templar order (brutally dissolved by the French King and his lieutenant, the Roman Pontiff, seven decades earlier) to avenge itself against their oppressors. The author's hypothesis sheds copious illumination on a host of previously anomalous events and processes and misunderstood connections. Unlike the overwhelming majority of its members who believe that Freemasonry evolved from craft guilds of medieval stonemasons, the author persuasively links Freemasonry's origins, doctrine, governance and ritual to the once powerful and wealthy Knights Templar. In the face of persecution of almost unbelievable cruelty, the author claims that surviving Templars, having secured temporary refuge in England and a rather more secure home in Scotland, were forced to form an underground Great Society. The author combines scholarly research and a captivating, storytelling style to trace Freemasonry's birth in the bloody carnage following Papal censure and evolution into a globe-spanning fraternity dedicated to self-improvement and good works. His painstaking analysis of the derivations and meanings of words like "cowan," "cabletow," "due-guard" and "tyler," which occur in Masonic liturgy and nowhere else in the English language, is nothing short of brilliant as well as conclusive. John Robinson makes a compelling argument. This book will be enjoyed by brother Freemasons, non-Masons and anti-Masons alike as well as conspiracy theorists and aficianados of what has come to be called 'alternative history.' I highly recommend it particularly for those interested in the Templar order, the medieval Catholic Church, British history and Freemasonry. This is an excellent book and a pure pleasure to read, and will surely provoke serious thought about the real origins of the Masonic Craft.

Fascinating Look at Freemasonry's Origins:
I have seen a lot of speculation as to Freemasonry's origins, but Robinson's is the first account that analyzes the ritual and symbolism associated with Masonry and attempts to find a probable explanation for it. After a brief explanation of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt and some of the more mysterious aspects of it, Robinson delves into the final days of the Order of the Knights Templar and how they evolved into today's Freemasons. Robinson's accounts are well-written and well-researched. I also appreciate that he kept the account fair, avoiding any hint of Illuminati-style conspiracies. Instead, he uses historical and Masonic sources to describe an (extremely) likely origin of Freemasonry. If you have any interest in the history of the Knights Templar or the Freemasons, this is a good place to start.

Unbiased Historical Journey into Freemasonry! Excellent, Must Read!!!:
Excellent book! A completely unbiased look at the history of freemasonry from a non-mason. This book is one you must read if you are doing research for a paper, curious or interested in joining the fraternity. The best and only unbiased masonic book I have ever read.

GREAT BOOK:
I might not agree with everything the author says or even his conclusion. However, it is a extremely interesting read and well written. This is the first book I recommend to any brother researching the Knights Templar/Freemasonry connection. What is that saying? It's a page turner!

A good read:
Lots of info! I strongly recommend reading this more than once. Not because it is complicated, but because there is so much information there! I have not finished it yet but so far, it is a pleasant read.