This document discusses a series of articles published in 1738 in Stockholm that may provide an early account of Swedish Freemasonry. The articles were republished in 1997 by a Masonic scholar who suggested they described early Swedish Freemasonry. However, the articles' description of Freemasonry and its origins more closely resemble the content of a 1738 publication called Relation Apologique, which was disseminated across Europe at the time. While the articles may have been the first to discuss Freemasonry in Sweden, they likely were based on and referencing the Relation Apologique work rather than providing an original account of Swedish Freemasonry.

1. The Earliest Account of
Swedish Freemasonry?
Relation Apologique (1738) revisited
Dr Andreas Önnerfors
andreas.onnerfors@gu.se

3. Anmärckningar 1738 Content
No. 31: 31 July (p. 121–124) Definitions of terms, anti-masonry in Europe, Masonry
Dissected, Herault’s exposure, a ”new” more positive
publication
No. 32: 7 August (p. 125–128) Prejudice and reality in perceptions of FM, age of
freemasonry, secrecy, eminent members, FM archives
are treasures of knowledge, masonry is a social skill,
Greek and Roman precursors
No. 33: 14 August (p. 129–132) FM has classical roots, nothing in common with
bacchanalian fraternities, FM is an academy, scientific
manifesto, location of a lodge
No. 34: 21 August (p. 133–136) The elaborate and erudite workings of the academic
lodge, Minerva as symbol
No. 35: 28 August (p. 137-140) Initiation rituals and symbols, Prichard and Herault
dismissed. Eminent virtues of freemasonry are hailed,
particularly ‘love of sciences and liberal arts’

5. How was the article series
identified as an account of
early Swedish freemasonry?
Masonic scholar Kjell Lekeby in
1997 reprints the articles with a
commentary, suggesting they
might constitute a self-
description
Academic scholar Peter Ullgren
uncritically adopted this
reading in his 2010 book on
Swedish freemasonry, adding
unsubstantiated claims

6. Gruendliche nachricht von den
Frey=maurern, nebst beygefuegter
historischen schutzschrifft,
(Frankfurt a.M.: Andreae, 1738)

8. Dissemination of Relation Apologique
• Relation Apologique (Liège?, second
edition London?, false imprint: Dublin)
• April 1738: La Clef (Luxemburg)
• Gründliche Nachrichten (Frankfurt
a.M.)
• Acta historio-ecclesiastica (Weimar)
• July 1738: Anmärckningar
(Stockholm)
References: Mercure et Minerve
(Berlin) & Die neue europäische Fama
(Leipzig)

10. Content of Relation Apologique
90 pages ≈ 10 000 words
Exposures attacked and ridiculed
Superstition, credulity and ignorance must be
balanced with facts
Freemasonry is a bulwark against tyranny and
intolerance
‘psychology of prejudice’
Masonic secrecy is opposed to its patronage,
processions and openness
Core values: nature, reason, law
Ancient precursors, praised by ancient authors
(Cicero, Virgil)

11. Content of Relation Apologique, continued
Quest for true knowledge/truth
Freemasonry is social, egalitarian and tolerant
‘Tyranny of fate’ is attacked, ideal: life in harmony,
balance and epicurean concealment is idealised
Soma-sema (no carnal excesses, rather delights for the
mind)
Freemasonry is scientific, embraces all sciences
Knowledge is shared generously
Meeting and initiation practices (how scientific
problems are solved in cooperation)
‘Meta-discourse’ on the potential fictitiousness of the
account

12. Sources of Relation Apologique
Prichard (or indirect accounts)
Herault (or indirect accounts)
Rarely observed footnote to
Picart’s engraving (p. 251-52)
Ramsay’s Discours (?)
John Toland’s Pantheisticon
(1721)
Press articles from the period
?

14. Authorship of Relation Apologique
Andrew Michael de Ramsay
(1686-1743)
Martin Clare (1688/89–1751)
Martin Folkes (1690–1754)
Jean Gaultier de Faget
Docteur Médecin (des Malines?)
Franc Maçon

16. DECREE.
The 18th
Day of Feb. 1739,
THE Sacred Congregation of the most Eminent, and most Reverend Cardinals of the
Holy Roman See, and Inquisitors-Generals in the Christian Republick against
heretical Pravity, held in the Convent of St. Mary Supra Minervam, thoroughly
weighing that a certain Book, written in French, small in its Size ; but most wicked
in Regard to its bad Subject, entitled, The History of, and an Apology for the Society
of Free-Masons, by J. G. D. M. F. M. printed at Dublin, for Patrick Odo[n]oko,
1739, has been published to the great Scandal of all the Faithful in Christ, in which
Book there is an Apology for the Society of Free-Masons, already justly condemned
by the Holy See : After a mature Examination thereof, a Censure, and that published
by our most Holy Lord, Pope Clement XII; together with the Suffrages of the most
Eminent and most Reverend Lords, the Cardinals, by the Command of his Holiness,
condemns and prohibits, by the present Decree, the said Book, as containing
Propositions and wicked Principles [‘principia impia’ in the original].
Wherefore, that so hurtful and wicked a Work may be abolished, as much as possible
it can, or at least that it may not continue without a perpetual Note of Infamy, the
same sacred Congregation, by Command as above, has ordered that the said Work
shall be burnt publickly by the Minister of Justice in the Street of St. Mary Supra
Minervam, on the 25th of the current Month, at the same Time, the Congregation
shall be held in the Convent of the same St. Mary.
Moreover this same sacred Congregation, by the Command of his Holiness,
positively forbids and prohibits all the Faithful in Christ, that no one dare by any
Means, and under any Pretence, whatsoever, copy, print, or cause to be copied or
printed, or retain or presume to read the said Book, in any Language, and Version
now published, or (which God forbid) may be published hereafter, and now
condemned by this Decree, under the Pain of Excommunication to be incurred ipso
Facto by those that shall offend therein ; but that they shall presently and effectually
deliver it up to the Ordinaries of such Places, or to the Inquisitors of heretical
Pravity, who shall burn it, or cause it to be burnt, without Delay.
Twenty-fifth of February, 1739. Paul Antinus Capellorius, Notary Publick of the
Holy Roman and Universal Inquisition.
The Places of the Seal.
Upon the 25 of February, 1739, the above cited Decree was fixed and published at
the Gates of the Church of the Prince of the Apostles, at the Palate of the Holy
Office, and at the other accustomary Places within the City, by me Peter Romolatius,
Officer of the Holy Inquisition.
At Rome, from the Printing-Office of the Reverend Apostolick - Chamber, 1739

17. Thank you for your
attention!