Sworn in Secret: Freemasonry and the Knights Templar

According to Masonic Ritual (p 162), "They (the three ruffians) were endeavoring to obtain passage to Ethiopia (not the modern nation referred to as such but rather, Cush, known today as Sudan), but King Solomon having issued an edict forbidding any person to leave the realm without his pass and not having it they failed to obtain passage and returned into the country".Question: From what country were the "three ruffians" of Masonic Ritual fleeing from and how was the nation of Ethiopia/Cush/Sudan adjacent to this country?Why does the author of "Sworn in Secret" hypothesize that the Island of Malta, Sourced materials (wood) from Lebanon and a transport/material goods industry (think, Amazon Prime, LLC) were the authors, originators or founders of Nile Valley Architectural Culture?For the Ancient Egyptians on the Island of Malta, please read, "Did the Ancient Egyptians ever reach Malta" by Anton Mifsud and Marta Farrugia. "The repertoire of ancient Egyptian remains in the Maltese islands is that is is distributed along a time frame that pre-dates the arrival in Malta of the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, extending way backwards in time towards the end of the 3rd millennium BC". " There are traces of the connections in the 12th Dynasty with Malta and even farther west". "The ancient Egyptians themselves were responsible for bringing their own artifacts to the Maltese islands during the Middle and New Kingdoms.As for the documented historical origins of the chief architect of the Ancient Egyptian structures and pyramids, please read:Imhotep the African, Architect of the Cosmos by Robert Bauval and Thomas Brophy. "In this groundbreaking book, Egyptologist Robert Bauval and astrophysicist Thomas Brophy uncover the mystery of Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian. Based on their research at the Step Pyramid Complex at Saqqara, Bauval and Brophy delve into observational astronomy to "decode" the alignments and other design features of the Step Pyramid Complex, to uncover the true origins and genius of Imhotep. They follow the clues that take them on an tour starting at Saqqara, leading them to temples in Upper Egypt and to the stones of Nabta Playa and the archeo-astronomers who placed them there.Also consider, "Black Genesis: The Prehistoric Origins of Ancient Egypt" by Robert Bauval. In the work Robert Bauval presents proof that an advanced ancient African civilization inhabited the Sahara long before Pharaonic Egypt:• Reveals Africa to be at the genesis of ancient civilization and the human story.• Examines extensive studies into the lost civilization of the “Star People” by renowned anthropologists, archaeologists, genetic scientists, and cultural historians as well as the authors’ archaeoastronomy and hieroglyphics research.• Deciphers the history behind the mysterious Nabta Playa ceremonial area and its stone calendar circle and megaliths.Relegated to the realm of archaeological heresy, despite a wealth of hard scientific evidence, the theory that an advanced civilization of Africans settled in the Sahara long before Pharaonic Egypt existed has been dismissed and even condemned by conventional Egyptologists, archaeologists, and the Egyptian government. Uncovering compelling new evidence, Egyptologist Robert Bauval and astrophysicist Thomas Brophy present the anthropological, climatological, archaeological, geological, and genetic research supporting this hugely debated theory of the African origin of Egyptian civilization.Building upon extensive studies from the past four decades and their own archaeo-astronomical and hieroglyphic research, the authors show how the early black culture known as the Cattle People not only domesticated cattle but also had a sophisticated grasp of astronomy; created plentiful rock art at Gilf Kebir and Gebel Uwainat; had trade routes to the Mediterranean coast, central Africa, and the Sinai; held spiritual and occult ceremonies; and constructed a stone calendar circle and megaliths at the ceremonial site of Nabta Playa reminiscent of Stonehenge, yet much older. Revealing these “Star People” as the true founders of ancient Egyptian civilization, this book completely rewrites the history of world civilization, placing Africa back in its rightful place at the center of mankind’s origins."Sworn in Secret" exports the origins of Ancient Egyptian archeo-astronomy to the Island of Malta, "an extremely small archipelago in the central Mediterranean with a surface are that doesn't exceed four hundred and eighty square kilometers, without any evidence, why? The island of Malta possesses no valuable natural resources, grain is insufficient and water supplies low and their only value lies in their strategic position in the Sicilian straits situated centrally between the eastern and western basins of the Mediterranean".The best connection, fairly well substantiated between the Knights Templar and Freemasonry is a book by the late author, John Robinson, "Born in Blood". There is a singular error or so in Mr. Robinson's book relating the Knights Templars escape from prosecution/persecution with their being a connection between them and "Pirates, Corsairs". In this, it appears that Mr. Robinson imagined a possible connection where there isn't one, as his mention of the "Pirates, Corsairs" is merely him citing a passage from a work by author, Alexander Dumas.

I could not put this book down. The author did wonders examining and cross referencing many events from similar time periods to produce a convincing conclusion. This book is like a thriller, suspense, a must read. Keep up the good work.

This is the best book about the history of Freemasonry that I have ever read. That is because most books I've seen that delved into the history of Freemasonry have been written by people who were simply Freemasons. This book is written by someone who is both a Freemason and a historian, and it shows in his reasoning and in the depth of detail about the Knights Templar and the times in which they lived that you just can't get from Masonic writers such as Pike and Mackey. They are good, but Holst is more modern and has a more readable writing style than they, along with his wealth of research.Holst makes, to my mind, a very good argument for there to be a connection between the Knights Templar and Freemasonry, and it is consistent with what I already know about linguistics and life in the medieval era. It is also not the typical argument that I've seen. This book is well worth reading

'just finished reading Sworn in Secret: Freemasonry and Knights Templar by Sanford Hoist. In line with John J Robinson's Born in Blood, this book with high probability wont get a heartfelt endorsement from mainstream Grand Lodges as it traces the connection/origin of Freemasonry to Knights Templar. Most especially, the book will get trashed by anti-Mason liberals and conservatives alike as the author connects the founding of US by personages who happened to be Freemasons--- men who knew the importance of freedom, tolerance and an ideal bigger than themselves. The author/historian presented his research in plain language without masonic terms and lingo that irritate some uninitiated readers. A worthy reading material and source of light---- recommend to all Masons or non Masons. Truth is what we want to believe.

Provides a more intelligent history of the masonic origins than most. When speculating, the author clearly states that he is speculating .. A much needed book for the masonic history investigator. Expands on Born In Blood and follows the trail of history much farther back in time. If you are an American, and enjoy the freedoms and rights of this country, then you need to understand Freemasonry. Freemasonry, its forms, constitution ,relationship with religion, and education are all mirror images of the US constitution. You live in a Masonically conceived republic this book does much to explain how and why good men suffered and worked for so long to bring forth these freedoms. Also if you are a man that enjoys these freedoms you need to be a free mason.

If you have read Born in Blood by John J. Robinson, then this is the book is for you. Holst brings you deeper into the mysteries of the Knights Templar and the Freemasons. This book takes you back to a time before Solomon's Temple was constructed and delves into the ancient masons who made it all possible. Learn about the beginning of the crusades as well as the forming of the Knight's Templar and their crucial role in the world at the time. Whether you're a Mason, history buff, or conspiracy junky, this is your book.

I am a Mason and am interested in any and all references to the Masonic Order in relation to the Knights Templar.

Being one who has asked questions, often with very poor answers given in response; I can truly say what a pleasure it is to have so many questions answered so easily and well. I have been drawn into the history, and the times, of the events spoken of, and it seems like every time a question begins to form in my mind, it is answered as I read on in the next several paragraphs. The writing is clear, concise, and amazingly researched.The author, Sanford Holst, is to be commended for a work excellently done, and I can only hope that his next project is done as well as this. A must read for those interested in the Knights Templar.Jim Laage

If you have any interest in the Knights Templar and Freemasonry connection, then this book is for you.It looks in great depth on various links and has clearly been exceptionally well reaerched. In do doing so it debunks some old myths, but opens up considerable new ones.I thought I knew a lot on this subject, but I have learned much from this book, which weaves so manycstrands of research together to draw realistic and convincing conclusions.I literally couldn't put it down...

Holst describes the late years of the knights Templar and speculates how they became the free masons.He includes a good amount of material that I haven’t seen anywhere else.Overall, a wonderful book.

I have read both of his books on the Templars which are well written with scholarly research and well documented.Unfortunately you only need to read one of his books as they cover the same material in different orders.I perfered Templar inferno as it was shorter but contained the same information.I look forward to reading his book on the Phonecians and how they affected history, as this is a weak area in my education.He has interesting documentation on the Templars and Masons but oviously more documentation is needed.Enjoyed and well worth the cost

This book shows how very well intended people long ago started a movement to help society. Eventually when something is too good the dark side of human nature takes hold to benefit of it for their own interests. This book gives the reader the factual honest information - a book for those who want to know why the financial, political and religious universes can corrupt anything of value.

I absolutely cannot put this book down. It is filled with accurate information which is not always the case. I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in the early days of Freemasonry.