Based upon the real world fraternal organization, the Freemasons, the Sleepy Hollow version are a secret society who hold vital intelligence on defeating evils in the world. Ichabod Crane is himself a Freemason, as was General George Washington and Benjamin Banneker.
In the Series[]
The Masons are first seen in "The Sin Eater." They abduct Ichabod Crane and demand that he validate his history, to be sure he is not a demon in disguise. Crane correctly identifies his captor as Mr. Rutledge, a descendant of Edward Rutledge, youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a Mason. Crane claims membership in the fraternity as well, and Rutledge asks him when he first heard the words Ordo Ab Chao, meaning “order from chaos.” Crane tells him that they were spoken to him by Arthur Bernard long ago.
Rutledge tells Crane that they are humbled by his presence, and offers him the trust of the Freemasons. He reveals that Katrina Crane wrote the journal that Mr. Rutledge has referred to to affirm Crane's story. Rutledge tells Crane that Bernard made the ultimate sacrifice, and now Crane must do the same. By killing himself he will kill the Horseman, but his Masonic brothers will never harm him.
Meanwhile, Abbie and Jenny find the cellar where the Masons are convened and prepare to fight their way in, but Crane stops them and speaks with her privately. He tells her the Mason's plan is for him to drink poison and kill himself, thus killing the Horseman as well. The Sin Eater is then introduced, who can separate the bloods and poisons; to separate the bond between Crane and the Horseman, and save Crane.
In The Midnight Ride, Crane and the Freemason's plan a meeting. Holding secrets on the Horseman's weakness, they hope to meet with Crane, and he arrives at the Lodge with Abbie to find the brotherhood dead, their head removed. The Horseman then attacks the Witnesses, and escapes with the Mason's heads. When Crane and Abbie Mills then set out to destroy the Horseman's skull, they notice four lanterns hanging in a clock tower. When he goes to investigate, the lanterns are found to be the four heads of the dead Freemasons, hollowed and illuminated. Crane is furious at the offense.
Real World Freemasons[]
The teachings and practices of the fraternal order of Free and Accepted Masons, the largest worldwide secret society; an oath-bound society, often devoted to fellowship, moral discipline, and mutual assistance, are, in their own words, "A beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols". The fundamental unit in Freemasonry is the Lodge, in which a Candidate - who must be a man, freeborn, of good repute, and who must believe in a Supreme Being - begins his journey by being Entered as an Apprentice. After proving proficient in certain lesson and ritual, the Brother is Passed to the degree of Fellow (of the) Craft, and then ultimately Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Despite some misconceptions about "High Degrees", there is no degree higher than Master Mason. In the U.S.A., all lodges in a particular state are subordinate to a Grand Lodge, which sets annual policies and goals, and which oversees and approves the official ritual for the state. The first Grand Lodge was formed in London in 1717. There are now hundreds of Grand Lodges around the world.
There are two main Rites of "Higher" degrees, which are merely further lessons that add to a Brother's Masonic knowledge and experience, and affords more opportunities for fellowship and personal growth. In the U.S., they are known as the York and Scottish Rites. The essential foundation of the York Rite is the Royal Arch Chapter, and can be pursued further in the Cryptic Degrees and the Orders of a Commandery of Knights Templar. The Scottish Rite is a complete system of 29 additional degrees beyond Master Mason, culminating in the 32°. It is this rite that confers the honor of the 33° upon members who have made significant notable achievements in Freemasonry or society at large. But the 33rd degree is primarily an honorific. In the few cases it does acquire some measure of administrative authority, it only exists within the Scottish Rite alone, and not in the lodges.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
External Link[]
https://freemasonry.bcy.ca/sitemap.html
| This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors). |