Review: Born in Blood

Born in Blood – The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry, by John J Robinson. ISBN No. 0–87131–602-1. Published 1989, 376 pages (inc. Index), $24.95.

John J Robinson was not a Freemason when he wrote this book, however, he was an amateur Medieval Historian, with an interest in The Peasants Revolt of 1381. The book began when he set out to clarify what he saw as strange circumstances surrounding the actions of the “Peasants” during the “Revolt”. These were mainly; the aggravated interest that they took in the properties and persons of the Knights Hospitaller and the claim that the same “Peasants” were acting as agents of a “Great Society” based in London. It is a shame that he seems to have assumed that it was Freemasonry. After spending lots of time in the company of Freemasons during the research of the book, he went on to join after its publication.

The book itself is incredibly well researched, as far as the facts about the Revolt, the Knights Templar and Freemasonry are concerned. However, that should be expected from an Historian. However, it strays into the usual "speculations" when dealing with the possible links between the Revolt, the Knights Templar and the Craft and to my mind possibly becomes a bit too fanciful with its conclusions. However, Robinson is clear at the beginning of the book that possible links between Freemasonry and this possible “Great Society” are tenuous at best.

Aside from mention of this Great Society the other evidence is the fact that the Leader of the Revolt was called Wat Tyler. While this is indeed the title of an Officer of a Masonic Lodge it is also a name of a trade. In those days it was common for men to use their trade as a Surname because they hadn’t had one before for example Mason, Shepherd, Carpenter, Miller, Fletcher and Skinner” are all common surnames that were just the trades of the antecedents of those families.

A lot of the supposition is based on the words and titles of masonic ritual, however, the ritual he quotes from is quite different to that contained within English Emulation. I assume that it is an American ritual. He also continually cites 2 Excerpts from "The Ancient Charges" (I haven't been able to find them as yet, to test context) that show that Freemasonry exists to act as a support network for fleeing Templars. He also chucks in a couple of quite different angles on the UGLE version of the Ancient charges that are contained with the BoC.. There is also the method of turning the “Seal of Solomon” into the “Square and Compasses” a huge amount of conjecture involved in that little exercise.

The theory is let down in that the book proves no link to Freemasonry and he ignores the evidence held to prove the Operative link such as the Halliwell Poem etc. BUT if Robinson’s research is correct and I personally see no reason to doubt it, he shows that there was at least great sympathy for the Templar cause amongst the Peasants during the Revolt or at most some form of continuation of the Templar tradition behind its organisation.

Rating 8/10

This book is excellent, fascinating and very easy to read. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who wants to glean information about the Peasants’ Revolt, the Knights Templar and some aspects of Freemasonry. It is a shame that he died so soon after actually becoming a Freemason as I would have loved to see what, if anything, he would have revised as he became a member and in possession of the “Secrets”.

Author	Message
Mike Martin	Posted 21/06/2009 13:13:41
Excellent Master Group: Administrator Last Active: 4 minutes ago Posts: 2,318, Visits: 11,808 2,714	Born in Blood – The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry, by John J Robinson. ISBN No. 0–87131–602-1. Published 1989, 376 pages (inc. Index), $24.95. John J Robinson was not a Freemason when he wrote this book, however, he was an amateur Medieval Historian, with an interest in The Peasants Revolt of 1381. The book began when he set out to clarify what he saw as strange circumstances surrounding the actions of the “Peasants” during the “Revolt”. These were mainly; the aggravated interest that they took in the properties and persons of the Knights Hospitaller and the claim that the same “Peasants” were acting as agents of a “Great Society” based in London. It is a shame that he seems to have assumed that it was Freemasonry. After spending lots of time in the company of Freemasons during the research of the book, he went on to join after its publication. The book itself is incredibly well researched, as far as the facts about the Revolt, the Knights Templar and Freemasonry are concerned. However, that should be expected from an Historian. However, it strays into the usual "speculations" when dealing with the possible links between the Revolt, the Knights Templar and the Craft and to my mind possibly becomes a bit too fanciful with its conclusions. However, Robinson is clear at the beginning of the book that possible links between Freemasonry and this possible “Great Society” are tenuous at best. Aside from mention of this Great Society the other evidence is the fact that the Leader of the Revolt was called Wat Tyler. While this is indeed the title of an Officer of a Masonic Lodge it is also a name of a trade. In those days it was common for men to use their trade as a Surname because they hadn’t had one before for example Mason, Shepherd, Carpenter, Miller, Fletcher and Skinner” are all common surnames that were just the trades of the antecedents of those families. A lot of the supposition is based on the words and titles of masonic ritual, however, the ritual he quotes from is quite different to that contained within English Emulation. I assume that it is an American ritual. He also continually cites 2 Excerpts from "The Ancient Charges" (I haven't been able to find them as yet, to test context) that show that Freemasonry exists to act as a support network for fleeing Templars. He also chucks in a couple of quite different angles on the UGLE version of the Ancient charges that are contained with the BoC.. There is also the method of turning the “Seal of Solomon” into the “Square and Compasses” a huge amount of conjecture involved in that little exercise. The theory is let down in that the book proves no link to Freemasonry and he ignores the evidence held to prove the Operative link such as the Halliwell Poem etc. BUT if Robinson’s research is correct and I personally see no reason to doubt it, he shows that there was at least great sympathy for the Templar cause amongst the Peasants during the Revolt or at most some form of continuation of the Templar tradition behind its organisation. Rating 8/10 This book is excellent, fascinating and very easy to read. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who wants to glean information about the Peasants’ Revolt, the Knights Templar and some aspects of Freemasonry. It is a shame that he died so soon after actually becoming a Freemason as I would have loved to see what, if anything, he would have revised as he became a member and in possession of the “Secrets”. Mike Mersey Lodge No. 5434 Website The Freemasons'''' Grand Charity Website See my BALLS here
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Terry	Posted 21/06/2009 23:17:16
Master Group: Forum Member Last Active: 08/01/2011 05:46:01 Posts: 586, Visits: 765 748	Hi Mike, Yes I enjoyed Born in Blood, well written from a Non Masons point of view and very fair I thought, re his death and interest in further books, he did write another one called " Dungeon, Fire and Sword" from same publisher and some of the reviews as follows, "Jacques de Molay, last grand Master of the Knights Templar, was burned at the stake in Paris in 1314. Legend says that as the flames grew higher, he shouted out a curse on King Philip 1V and Pope Clement V, calling for them to meet him before the throne of God to answer for their crimes against the Crusading order of the Knights of the Temple. They both joined him in death within the year. This event marked the end of two hundred years of Crusades, in which the search for the ecstasy of the True Cross was constantly thwarted by the unbridled brutality, greed and venality of the Middle Ages." "Just how deep ancient rivalries and hatreds run in the Middle East can be gleaned from this dramatic, gripping history of the Knights Templar... Rich in human incident...This is high adventure of the first rank." _Publishers Weekly (starred review) Regards Terry Tamworth 652 Australia
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bropreston	Posted 03/08/2010 15:24:33
Journeyman Group: Forum Member Last Active: 01/01/2012 12:04:28 Posts: 91, Visits: 891 156	I have this book in my collection and found it interesting and well researched, probably the best I have read that deals with the freemasonry/templars ideas. Pilgrims Path by the same author is also very good, and deals with a great deal of the ideas brought up by those who are "anti-masonic", although probably more suited to those from america its still well worth a read. S&F Matthew:cool:
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Review: Born in Blood