Introduction
The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Denmark is an institution, working with Freemasonry after the original and all over the world most spread Masonic system, i.e. the English, containing “three degrees”, and is considered “pure Ancient Masonry”. The crucial meaning of these clear statements will be explained in the following short historical statement as well as the Grand Lodge´s special position in Danish Freemasonry.
“Freemasonry” is an expression deriving from the words “free mason” in this divided form, and was earliest used in writing in a book titled ”The Perfections Pilgrimage” published in 1526. The author believes to be a monk named William Bonde.
To put the words “free” and “mason” together has at least two possible origins. Either it can be derived back to the operative stonemasons, who were called “free masons” because they worked with a special kind of sandstone, which was very suitable for shaping and therefore was “free” to be shaped. The English word for these ashlars are “free-stone” – maybe the word derives from a time, when many people were bondsmen or serfs and only men who were “free” had access to the craft. The contraction of the two words to the one “Freemason” and from it derived “Freemasonry” is first used in the 18th century.
The expression »lodge« denotes the room where the Freemasons were assembled, as well as the group or assembly of Freemasons itself. The word is of French origin and came in connection with Freemasonry to Denmark from England in form of the word »lodge«, which back in the middle age was the word for that shed or hut the operative masons built to keep their working-tools and where to seek shelter and to assemble.
In line with all other practical occupations, masonry was also considered as a craft, which Danish word in English can be »trade« as well as »craft«. In particular the last expression has therefore – at least from the middle of the 17th century – been synonymous to the original Freemasonry. And it still is. The expression »The Craft« is still today the accepted and most common word for Freemasonry as it is expressed in the three degrees!
The expressions »operative« and »speculative« are used to separate the old operative masons and stonemasons from the new free and accepted or speculative masons. The word “speculative” is used in its original meaning and are used on a person, who has thoughts on a special subject which he therefore explores and looks deeper into. Thus Freemasonry has as aim to morally and spiritually strengthen and develop the private Freemason in a speculative, i.e. symbolic, way using the operative crafts working-tools, manners and usages.
The expression »accepted«, mentioned in the previous section, means »accepted into Freemasonry«. The expression has been used since the middle of the 18th century about men, who were accepted as Freemasons without having anything to do with the original craft.
Finally a little about the word »degree«, which is used in Freemasonry in the meaning steps or stages in a process. Thus are the three degrees in The Grand Lodge, also called »the symbolic degrees« the steps or stages, in which a man - in this situation called »candidate« – is made a Freemason.
