The relevance of mediaeval craft-gilds to Masonic research should be fairly obvious.
The name " Craft - often applied to Freemasonry, is one link. In fact it is frequently called " The Craft."
Many features of the mediaeval craft-gild are reproduced in our organisation and ritual. Our very name of Mason is that of a medi- aeval craft-gild. We cannot prove any direct continuity of connection and development between the mediaeval gild of Masons and modern Freemasonry, but it is well known that several craft-gilds included others than actual handicraftsmen in their membership.
Sometimes nobles were admitted as honorary members, and it is probably this fact that. forms such connection as may be traced between the organisations of operative Masons and modern speculative Masonry.
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1931 - Mediaeval Craft Gilds - Bro The Ven Archdeacon D J Davies.
