Freemasonry otherwise called Craft Masonry (or in America
the blue Lodges) is the basis of all Freemasonry. It
comprises three degrees, the Entered Apprentice, the
Fellowcraft, and the Master Mason. It is the starting point
for Freemasons, who may later decide to join the various
other degrees and orders under the Masonic banner.
Under the United Grand Lodge of England, Craft Freemasonry
consists of the three degrees plus the Holy Royal Arch. All
other degrees and orders are separately regulated. This
differs from many other Grand Lodges, where some or most of
those other orders are included under their jurisdiction.
In fact the Mark degree is a pre-requisite in some Grand
Lodges, before the Royal Arch can be considered.
It is believed that the origins of Freemasonry can be found
in the Master Mason's Lodges formed for working
stonemasons, at the sites of cathedrals and other stately
buildings in the 15th to 17th centuries. Such Lodges later
accepted as members, those who were not operative
stonemasons, later called freemasons. The forms of
recognitions, about which there is so much discussion, were
no more than "pin numbers" to allow the travelling mason to
prove that he was fully qualified when arriving at a new
building site.
Nowadays they have a symbolic meaning within the
ceremonies, but are not used elsewhere.
There are many books available from libraries on the
subject of Freemasonry, ranging from the supportive, to the
highly critical and covering the origins, history and
present day operations.