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          Nelson King, FPS, Editor, 2 Knockbolt Crescent, Agincourt
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          416-293-8634 or CIS: 71202,22
          
          FRENCH FREEMASONRY AND THE SCOTTISH RITE
          
          William E. Parker, M.P.S.
          
          
          On a crisp English day in January l649, Charles I's head lay
          on the executioner's block, Cromwell became the
          unchallenged ruler of England, and the Stuarts fled to
          French exile. But what caused the King's demise? For the
          answer, and to fully grasp the whys and wherefores of
          Masonic development, we must look into history, the Craft's
          historical growth inevitably intertwined with its surrounding
          culture.
          The mid-l600s had seen England in the throes of bitter
          political and religious strife. The Stuarts, James VI of
          Scotland, who succeeded Elizabeth as James I of England,
          and then Charles I, had ruled for 46 years (l603-25 and
          l625-49). But, the advent of the English Civil War in l642
          and Oliver Cromwell's rise to power resulted in the Royalist
          faction's defeat and Charles I's execution.
          Charles' widow, Henrietta of France, daughter of Henry IV of
          France and Marie de Medici, and Charles' sons, the future
          Charles II and James II, were invited by the French King to
          take refuge in the Chateau of Saint Germain near Paris.
          There, they set up "Court," scheming and plotting to regain
          their lost English throne.
          It has been claimed some of the Stuart retainers were
          Accepted Masons and carried on secret political activities in
          French Masonic meetings. Possible? The earliest minutes of
          an existing Scottish Lodge, Edinburgh/Mary's Chapel, date
          from July l599, minutes of Atchinson's Haven from Jan. l598,
          Mother Kilwinning is accorded a l599 date with the earliest
          known non-operative Scottish lodge dating from l702 in
          Haughfoot. While accepting non-operatives, most Scottish
          lodges tended to remain essentially operative until early into
          the l8th century.
          Many early lodges met only quarterly or even annually with
          occasional interim meetings, with the Grand Lodge of
          Scotland only formed in l736. Thus, it's entirely possible
          there were some Freemasons among the Stuart followers,
          but they would undoubtedly have been few in l649, their
          numbers increasing only at a later date. Considering,
          therefore, what was unquestionably a limited number of
          Scottish Freemasons, it is unlikely they would have had
          recourse to Masonic meetings for political purposes. More
          critical, however, is the question of what French Masonic
          activity then existed.
          If dates are debatable, the years l725/l730 are nonetheless
          usually accepted for the Craft's French beginnings. Thus, if
          the late l7th century saw little or no French Masonic activity,
          the early Stuart Masons would have lacked meeting places.
          If Stuart supporters were becoming increasingly active
          Masonically by the early l8th century, major Scottish
          Masonic activity in France must nonetheless be ruled out
          until the general era of French Freemasonry's
          establishment.
          The Stuarts were undoubtedly a factor in the French Craft's
          early development and some early lodges were probably
          Stuartist/Jacobite in political leanings. The extent of such
          influence has, however, been subject to diverse opinions.
          Additionally, down through the years, several "legends" or
          "traditions" have been propagated on the Stuarts' personal
          Masonic involvement, particularly with the rise of
          "Templarism" Masonry, but with no factual supporting
          evidence.
          Cromwell died of malaria Sept. 3, l658, being succeeded by
          his son, Richard, who lacked his father's leadership skills
          and after only 3 years the Stuarts returned to England.
          Charles II then ruled for 25 years until l685 and his
          successor, his younger brother James II, ruled for only 3
          years, l685-l688. His obstinate Catholicism undoubtedly led
          to his brief reign and his forced exile to France.
          William of Orange, a cousin to the Stuarts, and Mary, a
          daughter of Charles I thus also a Stuart, ruled England until
          l694. Upon Mary's death from smallpox, William ruled alone
          until l702. But, the Protestant succession had been firmly
          established with Anne, l702-l7l4, George I,l7l4-l727, George
          II, l727-l760, then George III, and America's struggle for
          independence.
          James II, a convert to Catholicism and a first cousin to Louis
          XIV, was warmly welcomed by the French King and once
          again St. Germain en Laye was host to the Stuarts. If many
          Stuart Catholic partisans settled near Paris, many Protestant
          supporters emigrated to America and Nova Scotia. And,
          after the Edict of Nantes' l685 revocation, many Continental
          Protestant (Huguenot) Scots also left for America, with
          perhaps some Freemasons among them.
          The Stuarts were not content to sit quietly in exile, however,
          but undertook several cross-channel invasion attempts,
          none of which was successful but which plagued European
          politics for decades. A l689 attempt ended in disaster at the
          Battle of the Boyne July l, l690, and attempts in l692 and
          l696 ended almost before they began.
          On the occasion of his return to England, the Stuart Charles
          II had formed a new regiment called the Royal Irish, later the
          Royal (Irish) Guards. This regiment, sometimes called the
          Walsh, in recognition of an early leader, eventually followed
          the Stuarts from England back to France and in l698 was
          incorporated into the French Army.
          A Masonic "tradition" alludes to the regiment reportedly
          having a military lodge, the "Parfait Egalite". Another
          regiment, the Dillon, a Scots Guards unit, likewise
          supposedly had a military lodge, the "Bonne Foi". Some
          writers support such claims, with Grand Lodge records
          accepting the existence of the Parfait Egalite lodge at St.
          Germain dating back to l688, undoubtedly based on the
          "tradition". Although the story should not be dismissed out of
          hand, conclusive evidence is nonetheless lacking to
          irrefutably prove the assertion.
          It is unquestioned that many early Masonic records were
          lost, not kept, or destroyed. But, the absence of factual
          records regarding these two "lodges" leaves the historian in
          a quandry. Whether they actually existed, therefore, cannot
          be stated with certainty until proven otherwise and must,
          consequently, remain only a "tradition". Further
          documentation, if ever available, would be a welcome
          addition to Masonic history in that it would add more clarity
          on early Scottish Masonic French activity.
          There were, however, many military lodges with verifiable
          records. Such lodges, being attached to military units, had
          no fixed "home", but simply carried their warrants with them,
          holding lodge wherever their "sponsor" happened to be.
          Few, if any, military lodges now exist in the same
          connotation of that era. But,they were an important part of
          both early European and American Masonic activity.
          Diplomats, businessmen, travellers, and military personnel
          all contributed to the continuing Continental interest in
          Freemasonry. By the end of the l7th century, "La Mode
          Anglaise" was well established in France, the French
          copying English customs, fashions, and finally Freemasonry.
          But, if the Craft was copied, it was nonetheless made
          uniquely Gallic in character, being moulded along
          philosophic, esoteric, and chivalric lines.
          A claim has been made for the first English lodge in France
          in l72l in Dunkirk, but this is disputed and both the Grand
          Lodge and Grand Orient give a l756 date. A St. Thomas
          Lodge, sometimes cited as the Grand Master's Lodge and
          probably Stuartist, is noted as reportedly formed in Paris
          about l725/26. A second lodge, the Louis d'Argent, perhaps
          formed due to St. Thomas's internal problems, is noted as
          being chartered by England in l732, although the Lodge may
          have begun earlier. Some historians believe the "two"
          lodges are, in reality, one and the same. In any event,
          Stuartist presence in Paris Masonic circles was fairly
          prominent in the early l8th century.
          Records also cite Valenciennes and Bordeaux lodges about
          the same era, the Bordeaux lodge now under the French
          National Grand Lodge (GLNF) as l'Anglaise No. 204.
          Reportedly formed in l732, it received an English warrant in
          l766, but was apparently recognized as working since l732.
          Other lodges are cited from the l720s and '30s, both in Paris
          and around the country, but historians differ on the specifics.
          In brief, dependable records are often lacking and the
          history of early French Freemasonry is not clearly defined.
          There are also conflicting statements on establishment of
          the first Grand Lodge. Some cite l725, others l735 or later,
          authors citing either a Grand Lodge, a Grand Master of
          Masons, or simply a Grand Master of French Lodges.
          Records tend to indicate the first Grand Master as Philip,
          Duke of Wharton in l728 (an English Past Grand Master-l723), Sir James Hector Macleane in l73l, and Charles
          Radcliffe, Earl of Derwentwater, in l73l. All were Stuart
          supporters, Wharton, however, a complex individual whose
          political leanings apparently changed with the needs of the
          moment. 
          In l738, the Duke d'Antin became the first French Grand
          Master, succeeded in l743 by Louis de Bourbon, Count de
          Clermont, a grandson of Louis XIV and thus a blood relation
          to Louis XV. The son of Mlle. de Nantes, a daughter of Louis
          XIV and Mme de Montespan, he and other children of Louis
          XIV were "legitimized" prior to the King's death, thus
          Clermont's legal claim to royalty. The presence of such
          highly placed individuals unquestionably aided French
          Freemasonry's prestige, protection, and growth.
          The l7l3 Treaty of Utrecht, signalling the end of the War of
          the Spanish Succession (l702-l7l3), gave England
          significant territorial concessions as well as requiring James
          III, "The Old Pretender", to leave France. Eventually settling
          in Rome, Stuarts all the while continued efforts to regain
          power, with unsuccessful invasion attempts undertaken in
          l708, l7l5, l7l9 and l745, this last one by Charles Edward,
          son of James III, and known to history as "Bonnie Prince
          Charlie".
          History often seems to repeat itself but if James III had the
          good sense to leave France when required, Charles Edward
          did not. With Europe once again in conflict, the l748 Treaty
          of Aix la Chapelle, after the War of the Austrian Succession,
          called for young Charles Edward to leave France. Ignoring
          the terms, however, and making a political nuisance of
          himself, with some embarrassment to the French authorities,
          he was eventually "forcibly" requested to leave French
          territory. It appears that "Bonnie Prince Charlie" was the
          only one in Europe who failed to realize, or to accept, that
          the Stuarts as a political force were finished.
          But if the Stuarts were finished as a political force, their
          impact on Freemasonry was far from running its course, the
          impact of a Stuart supporter, one Chevalier Andrew Michael
          Ramsay, being such as to irrevocably change the entire
          history and course of Freemasonry. Little is known of
          Ramsay's early life, although he was apparently born in Ayr,
          Scotland, in l686, attended grammar school there, studied
          theology at Glasgow University, and apparently graduated
          from Edinburgh University in l707.
          Studying at Holland's Leyden University in l7l0, he was
          influenced by Fenelon, the Archbishop of Cambrai, and later
          converted to Catholicism. His beliefs remained unorthodox,
          however, and there are reports the Inquisition publicly
          burned one of his papers in Rome in l739, a common
          practice of the era if the Church disagreed with a
          publication.
          Being well educated, Ramsay spent much of his life tutoring
          the sons of prominent individuals, hence his close
          connections to the Stuart family. Benefitting from noble
          ancestry, Ramsay was able to gain admittance to the Royal
          and Military Order of St. Lazarus as well as persuading "The
          Old Pretender" to issue a Certificate of Nobility in l723,
          followed by a Diploma of Nobility from the Lord Lyon King of
          Arms at Edinburgh in l728, and in l735 was further honored
          by "The Old Pretender" with the conferral of the titles
          Baronet and Knight.
          Travelling to England in l729-30, Ramsay was elected to the
          Royal Society and in l730 he was given an honorary degree
          from the University of Oxford. In March of l730, he was
          initiated into Horn Lodge, Westminster, London. During his
          English visit, he came into contact with many prominent
          Freemasons including Dr. J. T. Desaguliers, the Dukes of
          Montagu and Richmond, and many others. During his
          French residence, he had likewise come into contact with
          many prominent Freemasons, all of whom may have
          influenced his decision to join.
          A zealous and enthusiastic individual, Ramsay in time
          became Grand Chancellor/Grand Orator. In March of l737,
          he submitted to Cardinal Fleury, the King's First Minister, a
          speech prepared for delivery to a Grand Lodge meeting.
          Fleury's reaction was negative and he opposed the speech
          for reasons which remain unclear, whether political,
          religious, or both.
          Ramsay had previously delivered similar versions of his
          speech, although the Grand Lodge version had been
          modified for the occasion. Thus, his general ideas had
          certainly been propagated on several prior occasions. And,
          as Orator, an important office in French Masonry, he was
          required to always have a speech ready to be used when
          needed. Thus, the speech would not necessarily have been
          an unusual occurrence, but simply a normal part of the
          ceremonies.
          Masonic historians have long debated the question of
          whether the speech was actually given or deleted from the
          Grand Lodge ceremonies with only a written version
          circulated. But, on the impact of his words, whether written
          or spoken, there is little doubt. He echoed the lofty mystic
          and moral aims of the Craft, asserted that Freemasonry,
          founded in remote antiquity, was renewed in the Crusades
          to the Holy Land, was brought back by the gallant knights
          who fought there, and he made reference to Scottish
          Freemasonry and the Scottish Royal Dynasty.
          Ramsay also indicated that Rites and usages had been
          changed or suppressed since being brought back and
          emphasized that the French task was to restore the ancient
          traditions. Ramsay unquestionably never envisaged the
          road his words would take or that his speech would lead to a
          veritable proliferation of Degrees, Rites, and Orders,
          numbering in the hundreds, or that he had set in motion
          events which would shape Masonic history.
          His speech was seized upon eagerly and the association of
          the Craft with the chivalric knightly orders lit an undying
          flame in the Gallic mind, and presented a golden opportunity
          for the innovative French to surpass what they considered a
          somewhat "ordinary" 3 Degree English system. There are
          instances both of "Scots Masters" meetings in England in
          the mid-l730s and the existence of a German "Ecossais"
          lodge in Berlin in l742. It is nonetheless often said that
          "Ecossais", or "Scots", Masonry took its name from
          Ramsay's oration.
          If the first Papal Bull against the Craft, "In Eminenti", was
          issued in April l738 by Pope Clement XII, it had little effect in
          France where it was simply ignored, the French Parliament
          not promulgating the Bull into law. As a consequence, the
          Craft continued to prosper. It is likely, too, that attempts to
          suppress the Craft were, in reality, pressures from Cardinal
          Fleury rather than Louis XV.
          There were undoubtedly sound political reasons for Louis
          XV's toleration of the Craft and authors differ on whether or
          not the King was a Mason since conclusive evidence is
          lacking. It is of note, however, that Count Czapski, First
          Cousin to Marie-Leczinska, Queen of France, was a
          member of a French lodge as were many members of the
          French nobility and the Court, including the Duke d'Antin,
          Grand Master from l738-43, and one of the King's closest
          friends. (Philalethes June l994)
          "Scots" Masonry grew by giant steps in numerous cities
          around the country with many groups springing up, such as
          the highly successful l8th Century Chevalier de l'Epee
          (Knight of the Sword) which became popular for a time. In
          brief, the degree could perhaps be termed a precursor not
          only to the Royal Arch, the ceremonies being laid in King
          Cyrus's Persian Court and at the Temple in Jerusalem, but a
          relationship can also be seen to the 29th Degree of the
          Scottish Rite, the development of which was possibly
          influenced by the Chevalier Degree.
          There were so many proliferations it would be impossible to
          list them all, nor would such be useful. But, among the
          throng, a Chapter of Clermont was apparently organized in
          Paris Nov. 24, l754. Based upon an earlier Templar system,
          the Chapter was reportedly begun by the Chevalier
          Christophe de Bonneville. Little is known of the Rite, but it
          supposedly comprised a system of either 6 or 7 degrees:
           l, 2, 3 - Symbolic Craft Degrees
               4 - - - - Knight of the Eagle or Select Master
               5 - - - - Illustrious Knight or Templar
               6 - - - - Sublime Illustrious Knight
          For sources citing a 7th Degree, a new 4th becomes
          "Scottish Master", the 4th, 5th, and 6th becomming 5th, 6th
          and 7th respectively.
          It has been alleged Baron von Hund's acceptance into the
          Clermont Chapter inspired his forming the German
          Templarism Rite of Strict Observance in l756, taking the
          name from a requirement to swear complete and
          unquestioned obedience to superiors. There is even a
          fanciful legend that the Stuart Prince Charles Edward was
          the highest ranking superior of the Rite, an allegation
          refuted by responsible Masonic historians. Initially a 6
          degree system, a 7th was added sometime between l763
          and l770:
           l, 2, 3 - Symbolic Craft Degrees
           4 - - - - Scottish Master
           5 - - - - Novice
           6 - - - - Templar
           7 - - - - Professed Knight
          
          Following about a 30 year period of success, dissensions,
          controversies and von Hund's death in l776 resulted in a
          reorganization of the Rite, first in France at the Convent of
          Lyons in l778 and then in Wilhelmsbad, Germany, in l782.
          The Rectified Scottish Rite was the end product of the
          reorganization, the Strict Observance's allusions to Templar
          links being dropped, with 3 Symbolic Degrees under a
          Grand Lodge, the additional degrees under a Grand Priory;
          e.g.:
           Grand Lodge
           l, 2, 3 - Symbolic Craft Degrees
           Grand Priory
           4 - (a) Scottish Master of St. Andrew
           (b) Perfect Scottish Master of St. Andrew
           5 - Squire Novice
           6 - Beneficent Knight of the Holy City (CBCS)
          
          In time, about l750, French Freemasonry developed what
          has been termed a Rite of Perfection, a synthesis of several
          systems into a 25 Degree Rite. On Aug. 27, l76l, Etienne
          (Stephen) Morin, then a member of the Paris lodge La
          Trinite, was named Grand Inspector General and given a
          patent to promote Freemasonry in the "New World".
          Reportedly issued by the Grand Lodge and Sovereign
          Council of the Sublime Princes of Freemasonry, if there are
          still questions by some as to who actually issued the patent,
          the question is now somewhat academic.
          Much of Morin's Masonic and personal life remains cloudy.
          Previously said to have been born in America in l693, where
          his Huguenot parents supposedly emigrated after the l685
          revocation of the Edict of Nantes, recent research indicates
          he is believed to have been born in Cahors, Southern
          France, about l7l7. Morin is not an uncommon name and it is
          possible the Morin of New York bears no relationship to the
          Morin of the patent.
          The "New World" theory, advanced in the l920s, and tied to
          the Edict's revocation, has a romantic aura surrounding it
          and has long been accepted by Masonic historians.
          Promulgated by Henry IV in l598, and preceeded by the
          bloody Wars of Religion which plagued France for half a
          century, the Edict of Nantes granted a certain freedom of
          worship to the Huguenots. Fiercely opposed by the Catholic
          Church, which labored unceasingly against the Edict and
          the Huguenots, the Church finally succeeded in having it
          revoked by Louis XIV resulting in about 200,000 Huguenots
          fleeing France.
          It was either convert to Catholicism, flee, or be subject to
          persecution invariably resulting in torture, death, or both.
          The Edict's suppression represents a significant page in
          both Masonic and general history, the Church's intolerance
          and persecution a major factor in the development of both.
          For example, Desaguliers, the son of a Huguenot Minister
          forced to leave France after the l685 revocation, was hidden
          from the authorities by his father during the flight to England,
          children being forbidden to leave the country, the intent
          being to raise them in the Catholic faith. Desaguliers'
          significant contributions to the Craft need no elaboration
          here.
          George Washington's English ancestry is, of course, well
          known, one Colonel John Washington emigrating to America
          in l657 to escape the Cromwellian dictatorship. Lesser
          known is the fact that in l620 one Nicholas Martiau, a
          French Huguenot, emigrated to America to escape the
          continual Church persecutions on the Continent. Mary Ball
          (Washington), George's Mother and a descendent of
          Martiau, married Augustine Washington, John Washington's
          grandson and George's Father, thus providing the "Father of
          our Country" both a French and English heritage.
          As for Morin, if research has shed new light on his life, his
          Craft affiliations like his life nonetheless remain somewhat
          nebulous. Apparently a merchant whose business required
          considerable travel, he is noted as being Masonically active
          in the French West Indies in the middle and latter part of the
          l8th century as well as in Bordeaux and Paris Masonic
          circles. If his Masonic history is uncertain, it is rather his
          famous l76l New World Patent and activities which are of
          primary historical concern.
          Likely of French origin, there is still some uncertainty as to
          exactly when, where, and by whom the various "high"
          degrees were developed and propagated. For example, the
          lst to the l4th may have been exported to the French West
          Indies in l748, additional degrees coming at a later date.
          And, there are indications of the Perfection Degrees in
          Louisiana in l754. If authorship is nebulous, Bro. Alain
          Bernheim theorizes Morin himself authored not only some of
          the degrees but the l762 (AASR) Bordeaux Constitutions as
          well, combining the whole into his own Rite, the Order or
          Princes of the Royal Secret, which Bro. Bernheim calls
          "Morin's Rite."
          Departing from Bordeaux in late l76l, during the era of the 7
          Year's War, Morin was taken prisoner in early l762 by the
          English. Eventually released, perhaps through Lord Ferrers'
          efforts, Grand Master of the Moderns, Morin indicates his
          French patent was endorsed by Lord Ferrers during Morin's
          English stay, thus according him both French and English
          Masonic authority. But, in that a William Matthews was
          Governor of the Leeward Islands from April l732 until August
          l752 and was appointed Provincial Grand Master for the
          Islands in l739, there is some question on the validity of
          Morin's claim, since English Freemasonry had already been
          established in that era.
          From San Domingo, now Haiti, where Morin arrived in l763,
          the Perfection Degrees spread to America where Henry
          Andrew Francken, a Deputy Inspector General appointed by
          Morin, likely in l763-64, created a Lodge of Perfection in
          Albany, New York, in l767. Francken, a Dutchman, but
          naturalized British subject, was then a Government official in
          Jamaica. Returning to the island in l769, 
          Francken's impact on North American Masonry was
          significant, his efforts resulting in a continual spread of the
          higher grades. Often overlooked in Masonic history,
          Francken was nonetheless largely responsible for
          translating the ritual degrees from the 4th to 25th from
          French into English, an accomplishment of major
          significance for the Scottish Rite.
          Lodges of Perfection were also established in Philadelphia
          in l78l and in Charleston in l783, these latter records
          seemingly lost in a fire with indications of another Chapter
          established in Jan. l797. As for Morin, in April l709, while
          residing in Jamaica, he signed authority for the creation of a
          Chapter of Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret in Kingston,
          and passed away there in l77l, where he is buried, the Rite's
          final development being left to others. But, he can justifiably
          be credited as the "Father of the A.A.S.R."
          Count Alexandre Francois Auguste de Grasse, Marquis de
          Tilly, son of Admiral de Grasse of the American
          Revolutionary War, arrived in San Domingo in l789 to run
          the family's sugar plantation. Initiated in the Contract Social
          Lodge in Paris in l783, the Marquis de Lafayette apparently
          also a member, in l792 de Grasse married the daughter of
          Jean Baptise Noel Marie Delahogue, a San Domingo Notary
          and, like de Grasse, an enthusiastic Mason. They were
          undoubtedly two of the most important individuals during the
          emergence of the Scottish Rite.
          A l79l uprising by the island's native inhabitants eventually
          forced de Grasse and Delahogue to flee, relocating to
          Charleston, South Carolina, by l796 continuing their
          Masonic activities there. Prior to de Grasse departing San
          Domingo, however, he was endeavoring to establish a West
          Indies Supreme Council, thus raising the question of which
          degrees then actually existed. Possibly still in the planning
          stages when he left, he apparently considered his Council a
          proper Masonic body nonetheless.
          About l790, a number of high degrees reportedly arrived in
          the Western Hemisphere from Europe, resulting in a
          somewhat confusing situation. In brief, the situation was
          resolved at the end of the l8th century with the existing 25
          degrees expanded to 33. Undoubtedly using the European
          degrees, the first "active" Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., was
          created in Charleston May 3lst, l80l, de Grasse and
          Delahogue being among the founding members.
          It has been alleged that as early as Nov. l796 de Grasse
          issued several 33rd Degree patents in Charleston, as Sov.
          Gd. Cmdr. for the West Indies, but these claims are
          controversial and not universally accepted. Supreme
          Council records at Charleston indicate that on Feb. 2lst,
          l802, Ill. Bro. de Grasse was appointed a Grand Inspector
          General and Grand Commander of the French West Indies.
          And, acting as S.G.C., he reportedly issued a 33rd Degree
          patent on Sept. l6th, l802, thus confirming that a West Indies
          Council had apparently been established by l802.
          Upon de Grasse's return to San Domingo in l802, renewed
          fighting on the island resulted in his being taken a prisoner
          of war and sent to Kingston on a British ship. As a result of
          his naturalized American citizenship, he was released in
          early l804, returning first to Charleston and then to France
          where he established a Supreme Council of France on Sept.
          22nd that same year.
          Paradoxically, even as his l804 French Supreme Council
          was formed in Paris, he had also brought back his West
          Indies Council. The latter body split into two factions in l8l8,
          one absorbed by the l804 Council in l82l, the other simply
          disappearing. A particularly active Mason, de Grasse also
          set up Supreme Councils in Italy in l806, in Spain in l8ll, and
          in Belgium in l8l7. De Grasse passed away June l0th, l845,
          of chronic bronchial pneumonia at age 80.
          By why "Ancient" and why "Scottish"? Since French
          Freemasonry had its official birth only about l725, to
          substantiate a claim to "antiquity", which the French high
          degree bodies wanted, a much older source was required.
          Undoubtedly spurred on by Ramsay's oration, citing the
          "ancient" Kilwinning Lodge near Glasgow, apprently dating
          back to the l3th century, the claim of the Craft originating in
          Scotland and brought into France was made. Hence, use of
          the term "Ecossais", or "Scottish" Freemasonry, such claim
          thereby "justifying" the Order's claim to antiquity.
          The oldest surviving Kilwinning minute book dates from
          l642, earlier records apparently lost through fire with the
          lodge itself beginning an operative to speculative transition
          in the l760s. And, with early records missing, what better
          source to cite, no contradiction being possible. But, if the
          degrees themselves are French in origin and can in no way
          be considered Scottish, yet the terms "Ancient" and
          "Scottish" have nonetheless endured.
          The Rite's progress has sometimes been tortuous, but it has
          endured and today counts numerous sister Councils
          throughout the Free World, with England and Ireland using
          the shortened term "Ancient and Accepted Rite", possibly to
          preclude any suggestion of Scottish origin. French Scottish
          Rite Freemasonry, if undergoing vicissitudes through the
          years, is today represented by the Supreme Council For
          France, drawing its membership from the 20,000 member
          French National Grand Lodge (GLNF), the only two Regular
          and Internationally Recognized French Masonic bodies.
          Ramsay died in l743 and is buried at the Church of St.
          Germain en Laye near Paris, fitting perhaps in that it was at
          St. Germain the Stuarts held their "Court in Exile". But, the
          legacy he bequeathed to the world lives on, a legacy begun
          in the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I, and
          culminating in Charleston in l80l.
          