The Brotherhood - Stephen Knight - The Secret World of the Freemasons

Jul 31, 2026

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The Brotherhood by Stephen Knight explores Freemasonry as a structured secret society, tracing its origins and internal development from early forms through schisms, reunions, and expanding influence. The book links Masonic ideas to state and policing institutions, covering major controversies, “inside information,” and legal frameworks that shape power and secrecy. It also examines claims of government and international connections, offering a historical narrative with detailed chapter-driven investigation of rituals, roles, and institutional relationships.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages293

Reading Time7 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

PART ONE: WORKERS' GUILD TO SECRET SOCIETY

PART TWO: THE POLICE

PART THREE: INSIDE INFORMATION

PART FOUR: THE LAW

PART FIVE: POWERS TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL

PART SIX: THE KGB CONNECTION

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Appendices

Further Reading

Index

Stephen Knight is a freelance writer whose previous books include Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution, which created front-page headlines all over the world, and a novel, Requiem at Rogano. By the same author Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution Requiem at Rogano The Killing of Justice Godfrey [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) STEPHEN KNIGHT [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) The Brotherhood [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) The Secret World of the Freemasons PANTHER Granada Publishing Panther Books Granada Publishing Ltd 8 Grafton Street, London WiX 3LA Published by Panther Books 1985 Reprinted 1985 (three times) First published in Great Britain by Granada Publishing 1983 Copyright © Stephen Knight 1983 ISBN 0-586-05983-0 Reproduced, printed and bound in Great Britain by Hazell Watson & Viney Limited, Aylesbury, Bucks Set in Garamond All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored ina retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. This book is sold subject to the conditions that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publishers prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. For Ma and Pa, with love Contents Acknowledgements ix Prologue 1 PART ONE: WORKERS' GUILD TO SECRET SOCIETY 1. Origins 15 2. Metamorphosis 20 3. Schism and Reunion 25 4. Across the Seas and Down the Centuries 32 5. The Thirty-Third Degree 38 PART TWO: THE POLICE 1. The Great Debate 49 2. The Men at the Top 75 3. Worshipful Masters of Conspiracy 81 4. Operation Countryman 86 1. The Brotherhood Misjudged 97 2. Birmingham City Police 108 3. Conclusion 113 PART THREE: INSIDE INFORMATION 13 The Rabbi's Tale 117 1. Five Masters and a Lewis 121 2. Jobs For the Brethren? 130 3. The Dissidents 140 PART FOUR: THE LAW 1. The System 153 2. The Two-Edged Sword 157 3. The Mason Poisoner 161 4. Barristers and Judges 167 5. Solicitors 187 PART FIVE: POWERS TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL 1. Government 197 2. The Highest in the Land 211 3. The City of London 216 4. The Devil in Disguise? 230 PART SIX: THE KGB CONNECTION 1. The Italian Crisis 269 2. The Chinaman Report 279 3. The Threat to Britain 297 Epilogue 304 Appendices 309 Further Reading 318 Index 321 Acknowledgements I am free to name only a small number of the many hundreds of people who have helped me with advice and information. Most of those who helped did so only on the understanding that I would say nothing that could lead to their identification. Among these were many Freemasons who feared recrimination from other members of the Brotherhood. Others included government officials, politicians, judges, policemen of all ranks, lawyers, churchmen, past and present officers of MI5 and MI6, and people from every sector of society touched on in the book. Some of those I can name gave me valuable assistance; some contributed a fact or an idea, did some typing, obtained press cuttings or read my notes and gave encouragement here and there. To all of them, and to all those who must remain unnamed, I am grateful. Without such people a book of this kind could not be contemplated. Two men must be singled out for special mention: Simon Scott, managing editor of New English Library whose idea this book was and who supported me with unflagging enthusiasm all through the research and writing only to have the project snatched from him at the last moment; and my friend and agent Andrew Hewson who has never, even at the busiest moments, been unavailable. Thank you, Simon and Andrew, and thank you, Rev Saul Amias, Arthur Andrews, Judy Andrews, Andrew Arbu

FAQs

What central topic does The Brotherhood investigate?

It investigates Freemasonry as a secret society, describing its evolution, internal structure, and claimed links to wider institutions.

How is the book organized in terms of subject matter?

The book is divided into multiple parts, including origins and schisms, the police, inside information, law, temporal and spiritual powers, and a KGB connection section.

Does the acknowledgements section suggest the breadth of sources used?

Yes. It mentions help from many people across society, including Freemasons, officials, politicians, judges, police, lawyers, and intelligence personnel, who often required confidentiality.

Jul 31, 2026

Upload by Riley