John J. RobinsonBorn in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry

A Work of Brilliant Scholarship, Engagingly WrittenReviewed by William CoursonIn "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.

This book is extremely well written. It is easy to follow and the historical narrative appears to be thoroughly researched. The author, John J Robinson did an excellent job of tying medieval history to the various aspects of freemasonry. The book is essentially divided into two parts.The first part focuses on the history of the Knights Templar. In 1307, the Pope and the French king accused the knights of numerous crimes. Many of the knights in France were arrested and tortured. By making the Order an outlawed organization, the remaining knights were forced to go underground. In reality, these accusations were nothing more than an attempt to steal the financial holdings of the entire Order. The author then describes the historical events that occurred simultaneously with the downfall of the Templars. These included the military campaigns of Edward I against the Scotts and the Battle of Bannock Burn. The author then ties these events into a comprehensive historical picture.The second part is focused on freemasonry itself. This is an in-depth analysis of the various degrees of freemasonry. The author also studies the different aspects of the organization, its oaths, language, symbols and religious convictions.The author completes his work with an analysis of those books which are anti-Masonic. In particular, he addresses the accusations made in a book titled "The Brotherhood." For example, he evaluates the accusation that the Jack the Ripper murders were made by a Mason. Mr. Robinson does an outstanding job of refuting these accusations with some rather obvious facts.Bottom line: this book is an entertaining narrative that is supported by sound historical research. The author effectively connects freemasonry to the fall of the Knights Templar. The reader will definitely walk away from this book with a new insight into both medieval history and the current organizations of freemasonry.

I found 'Born in Blood' to be an excellent and insightful book about the history of the Knights Templar and Freemasonry, and I thought it made a cogent argument for the roots of Freemasonry being found in the persecution and dissolution of the Knights Templar.One thing I particularly liked about this book is that John Robinson, the author, is not a Freemason but is a historian. He delves into a lot of the old records not just of Freemasons' lodges but also of those of medieval stonemasons, the Knights Templar, a lot of fascinating medieval history, as well as more modern history, tying together things so that I can understand the interrelationships between and among them. To read this book was, for me, an education in history that was more in-depth than I received during my basic schooling and college. Robinson presents arguments for this linkage between the Knights Templar and Freemasonry that make sense and are not the tired, fantastical claims that I haved read elsewhere. I think Sanford Holst must have read this book, because some of what I read here is information that I believe Holst cites in his own book about the Phoenicians.If you want a sound education in Templar and Masonic history, you would do well to read this book. It is intelligent and thorough, as well as very readable. I enjoyed it very much.

This book is quite accurate in uncovering Masonic ritual, without just giving it all up. It is also target accurate and just it its assessments of Free Masonry and Freemasons, as well as where where the two concepts differ (ie, Freemasons were some of the founders of the United States, but Free Masonry didn't found the United States). If you want to know what the Masons are about, find one and ask him. This book will give helpful background and history, and I earnestly recommend it to all Brothers, but there's so much more to who we are and who we've become.

This book is a gem. The arguments are well laid out and I think he just may be correct. Loved the read!

It is a good book. Well written. And holds good lessons and understanding. I recommend this book for all that enjoy history.

A good read. The book is not historically accurate but a good narration which intrigues your mind and intellect and entice you.

I would recommend this to all who wants to understand why and how the brotherhood has come forth.Reading is smooth and storytelling is engaging.

This a fantastic book about some interesting views of Masonic and Templar history. I have the book and read it a couple of times and now re-reading the digital version. Great read

Good work of non-fiction. The chapters are a little longer than I would like but all in all, a good read.