Tecnos
01-12-2009, 08:28 AM
During the raising ceremony of the Fellow Craft Freemason to a Master Mason, the candidate is told the he "now joins the hallowed ranks of pirates and corsairs"... this is the reason why.....
In the tenth century, the Knights Templar an order of Crusading knights occupying Jerusalem, became massively wealthy. The French king grew jealous of their power and wealth, and in collusion with the Roman pope, not to be confused with the Pope D'Anjou, had the knights declared Satan worshipers. The Knights Templar were rounded up all throughout Europe, and executed. The Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Templar Jacques De Molay was executed on Friday the thirteenth in the year 1315 (Which is why Friday the thirteenth is now considered unlucky. Also, interestingly because of the insignia of the knights tunics [a 2 armed crucifix] they were also "Double Crossed!".
That would be the end of the story, but some of the knights survived and hid, some even escaped with sensational wealth. The fugitive knights hid out in Masonic lodges (another hiding place for fugitive Templars). The knights, purchased ships or otherwise acquired them, and set out to run from the agents of the Pope, and hide their great wealth. These fugitive knights Templar became the first of the pirates. The Pirates hid out, when they weren't being pirates in the masonic lodges, and when they needed to sell their "wares" it was through the lodges.
Also no prirate sailed under the skull and crossbones, that was symbolic of the Masonic figurehead 'Hiram Abiff'.....
In the tenth century, the Knights Templar an order of Crusading knights occupying Jerusalem, became massively wealthy. The French king grew jealous of their power and wealth, and in collusion with the Roman pope, not to be confused with the Pope D'Anjou, had the knights declared Satan worshipers. The Knights Templar were rounded up all throughout Europe, and executed. The Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Templar Jacques De Molay was executed on Friday the thirteenth in the year 1315 (Which is why Friday the thirteenth is now considered unlucky. Also, interestingly because of the insignia of the knights tunics [a 2 armed crucifix] they were also "Double Crossed!".
That would be the end of the story, but some of the knights survived and hid, some even escaped with sensational wealth. The fugitive knights hid out in Masonic lodges (another hiding place for fugitive Templars). The knights, purchased ships or otherwise acquired them, and set out to run from the agents of the Pope, and hide their great wealth. These fugitive knights Templar became the first of the pirates. The Pirates hid out, when they weren't being pirates in the masonic lodges, and when they needed to sell their "wares" it was through the lodges.
Also no prirate sailed under the skull and crossbones, that was symbolic of the Masonic figurehead 'Hiram Abiff'.....