Archived Posts » 59,646,491
Did Franklin's masonic ties in France help us win the revolution?
8/27/2011 11:07:56 PM
I heard a theory of sorts recently that Ben Franklin, a brother Mason, used his masonic standing during his time in France to help court the French to help in our war effort. If so, this is a really interesting little slice of history, something I don't remember being taught in history class.
Does anyone have any facts, data, to support this?
Does anyone have any facts, data, to support this?
8/28/2011 6:54:05 PM
Franklin spent an enourmous amount of time courting the nobles and royalty in francethrough the masonic lodges. As i recall he was able to secure not only financial support but also arms through those ties.
Oddly enough he left the usa as a former grandmaster and was essentially kicked out on his return due to consorting in "clandestine" lodges in france. I am not sure if he was formally demitted but i do recall reading it caused some issues when he came home.
Of course his love of the hellfire clubs there might have caused him some issues as well. Ol ben was a freak.
Oddly enough he left the usa as a former grandmaster and was essentially kicked out on his return due to consorting in "clandestine" lodges in france. I am not sure if he was formally demitted but i do recall reading it caused some issues when he came home.
Of course his love of the hellfire clubs there might have caused him some issues as well. Ol ben was a freak.
8/28/2011 8:08:31 PM
What are hellfire clubs?
8/28/2011 8:11:46 PM
Originally Posted By Girthrockwel:
What are hellfire clubs?
What are hellfire clubs?
it was more or less and underground private sex and debauchery clubs that were all over europe in those days. another "secret society". IIRC franklin either sought them out here when he got back or started one. i forget which. he was fond of the women and wine.
8/28/2011 8:15:15 PM
Sounds like eyes wide shut.
8/28/2011 9:10:09 PM
I did some reading about Franklin and found that he was the Grand Master of the lodge Les Neuf Sœurs in France from 1779 to 1781. According to Wiki this lodge "was influential in organising French support for the the American Revolution". There were some very influential members. Here's a link to the page about that particular lodge. Les Neuf Sœurs was under the Grand Orient De France.
8/28/2011 10:26:51 PM
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Franklin spent an enourmous amount of time courting the nobles and royalty in francethrough the masonic lodges. As i recall he was able to secure not only financial support but also arms through those ties.
Oddly enough he left the usa as a former grandmaster and was essentially kicked out on his return due to consorting in "clandestine" lodges in france. I am not sure if he was formally demitted but i do recall reading it caused some issues when he came home.
Of course his love of the hellfire clubs there might have caused him some issues as well. Ol ben was a freak.
Franklin spent an enourmous amount of time courting the nobles and royalty in francethrough the masonic lodges. As i recall he was able to secure not only financial support but also arms through those ties.
Oddly enough he left the usa as a former grandmaster and was essentially kicked out on his return due to consorting in "clandestine" lodges in france. I am not sure if he was formally demitted but i do recall reading it caused some issues when he came home.
Of course his love of the hellfire clubs there might have caused him some issues as well. Ol ben was a freak.
Not to doubt what you have said, my brother, but is there some documentation to back this up?
8/29/2011 8:00:37 AM
Originally Posted By Papabri:
Not to doubt what you have said, my brother, but is there some documentation to back this up?
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Franklin spent an enourmous amount of time courting the nobles and royalty in francethrough the masonic lodges. As i recall he was able to secure not only financial support but also arms through those ties.
Oddly enough he left the usa as a former grandmaster and was essentially kicked out on his return due to consorting in "clandestine" lodges in france. I am not sure if he was formally demitted but i do recall reading it caused some issues when he came home.
Of course his love of the hellfire clubs there might have caused him some issues as well. Ol ben was a freak.
Franklin spent an enourmous amount of time courting the nobles and royalty in francethrough the masonic lodges. As i recall he was able to secure not only financial support but also arms through those ties.
Oddly enough he left the usa as a former grandmaster and was essentially kicked out on his return due to consorting in "clandestine" lodges in france. I am not sure if he was formally demitted but i do recall reading it caused some issues when he came home.
Of course his love of the hellfire clubs there might have caused him some issues as well. Ol ben was a freak.
Not to doubt what you have said, my brother, but is there some documentation to back this up?
do masons document their discussions?
i have read a few things in the past but to be honest i couldn't tell you what books or where it was at this point. that was years ago. his life is pretty well documented.
8/29/2011 10:16:46 AM
