The Inquisition of John Coustos and the Freemasons
Curated Blocks: January 10th, 2024
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Page: Curated Book | The Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World by John Dickie (2020) → BUY BOOK
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Kindle Pages: 1 - 14
The Inquisition of John Coustos and the Freemasons
In March 1743, John Coustos, a London jeweler, found himself ensnared in a nightmare when he was forcibly taken while leaving a Lisbon coffee house. He was taken to the Estaus Palace, the notorious headquarters of the Portuguese Inquisition. John Dickie paints a picture of Coustos's initial days in confinement, marked by dehumanizing practices like shaving his scalp and stripping him, followed by a strict regime of isolation and enforced silence, a common tactic to break the will of prisoners.
Image: Vintage illustration from 'The Inquisition of John Coustos and the Freemasons' depicting a torture scene of John Coustos, signifying the historical persecution of Freemasons.
YSyncX Illustrations: 1) On the foreground left side of the image are located Portuguese Inquisition Cubes. 2) On the wall of the torture device is located a Strappado (torture device) Cube.
Coustos's primary offense in the eyes of the Inquisition was his association with Freemasonry, which they condemned as a secretive and heretical group, rife with "Sacrilege, Sodomy, and many other abominable Crimes." Despite his steadfastness, Coustos endured horrific tortures, including the excruciating rack and strappado, where his limbs were dislocated under extreme stress. Amidst Coustos’s cries of agony, the Inquisitor relentlessly questioned him about Freemasonry – its nature, its constitutions, and the activities within the Lodge meetings. These were questions Coustos had heard and resisted answering many times before.
Following months of torture, Coustos was paraded in an auto-da-fé, a brutal public spectacle of religious justice, often culminating in execution. Remarkably, he escaped with a sentence to four years as a galley slave, a punishment that, while severe, offered him a sliver of hope. This relative leniency allowed Coustos to eventually contact friends who facilitated his release.
Upon his return to London, Coustos began penning his harrowing experiences. His narrative, "The Sufferings of John Coustos for Free-Masonry," found a receptive audience, particularly amidst the backdrop of the Jacobite rebellion of 1745, which had reignited public animosity towards the Roman Catholic Church. His book, adorned with engravings of his supposed tortures, painted him as a Freemasonry martyr and gained widespread attention.
Yet, Dickie exposes discrepancies in Coustos's account. Later discovered Inquisition records revealed that Coustos had actually capitulated, divulging Masonic secrets he had vowed to protect. The extent of his torture, as depicted in his book, was also exaggerated. Dickie points out that Masonic secrets were not as closely guarded as Coustos claimed, evidenced by preexisting publications like Sam Prichard's "Masonry Dissected."
Dickie suggests that the true allure of Freemasonry lies not in its actual secrets, but in the myths and narratives woven around its secrecy. He posits that understanding Freemasonry requires an appreciation of its rituals and philosophy, more than the literal secrets themselves. This emphasis on the power of secrecy, and the stories it spawns, forms the crux of Masonic history and fascination.
The Origins to Global Influence
Dickie explores the complex history of Freemasonry, often referred to as 'the Craft,' dating back well before John Coustos's time. The mythology of Freemasonry traditionally traces its origins to the builders of King Solomon's Temple, but academic research has located its documented beginning about 150 years before Coustos's era. Freemasonry, as Dickie notes, underwent significant changes in London in 1717, adopting a new organizational structure and rulebook, leading to its rapid global spread and status as one of Britain's most successful cultural exports.
At its core, Freemasonry remains a fellowship of men dedicated to self-improvement through specific rituals and moral symbolism derived from stonemasonry. The most recognizable symbols include the square and compass, the apron, and gloves. However, it is the aspect of secrecy that has added a layer of intrigue and complexity to Freemasonry's history. Dickie highlights the allure of this secrecy, attracting millions of members, including many notable figures and leaders from diverse fields. The list of famous Freemasons is extensive, boasting names like Giuseppe Garibaldi, George Washington, Robert Burns, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, among others. This diversity testifies to the Craft's broad influence and the magnetic power of its secretive nature.
Currently, Freemasonry boasts millions of members globally, with its influence permeating various aspects of modern public life, including promoting values like religious and racial tolerance, democracy, and equality before the law. However, Dickie also acknowledges the darker aspects associated with Freemasonry, such as its connections with imperialism and global wars.
Dickie sheds light on the perception of Freemasonry by its adversaries, notably the Catholic Church, which viewed the Craft with deep suspicion and hostility. The secrecy and British origins of Freemasonry, coupled with its diverse membership and unclear leadership, raised alarms in a world accustomed to fixed social hierarchies. The Church's fears led to the Inquisition's brutal treatment of Freemasons like Coustos, as well as widespread condemnation and excommunication by Pope Clement XII.
Freemasonry has fueled various conspiracy theories throughout history. Dickie attributes the very birth of the conspiracy theory genre to the fear and mystery surrounding Freemasonry. Since the early 19th century, a myriad of Masonic conspiracies have captivated public imagination, ranging from eerily plausible notions to wildly outlandish claims. Among these are allegations that Masons were responsible for poisoning Mozart, covering up the crimes of Jack the Ripper, orchestrating major historical events like the French Revolution, the unification of Italy, the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Revolution. The Internet abounds with theories about the Illuminati, an alleged branch of Freemasonry, whose members, including prominent figures like Bono, Bill Gates, and Jay Z, are said to be part of a dark plan to dominate the world.
Dickie points out that some of these myths are relatively harmless; however, others have had grave consequences. Notably, totalitarian leaders like Mussolini, Hitler, and Franco harbored deep suspicions about Freemason conspiracies, leading to the persecution and murder of thousands of Masons. In communist circles, Freemasonry has always been viewed as a devious bourgeois group and remains banned in the People's Republic of China. Additionally, there's a strong current of anti-Masonic sentiment in the Muslim world.
Secrecy in Freemasonry's History
In the past, Freemasons guarded their history closely, limiting access to their archives and libraries. However, a shift occurred a generation ago when enlightened members recognized the broader relevance of Masonic history, leading to increased access for non-Masonic historians. This opening up has enriched the field of Masonic studies, blending professional historical research with traditional Masonic narratives.
Freemasonry, as portrayed by its members, often focuses on themes like philanthropy, fellowship, ethics and spirituality.” But equally important is the role that networking plays within the Craft. Freemasonry provides a unique platform for networking across social classes, symbolized by the practice of wearing gloves during ceremonies to obscure social distinctions.
Image: Artistic rendering of a Freemason lodge meeting with members in regalia, featuring the iconic square and compass symbol, evoking the rich traditions and rituals of Freemasonry.
YSyncX Illustrations: 1) On the foreground of the image there are Myth, Rituals, Secrecy, Masonic Model, and Freemasonry Cubes. 2) There is an anthropomorphic YSyncX Owl in the upper left corner observing the Freemason meeting.
Dickie acknowledges that this aspect of Freemasonry has sometimes led to nepotism and even more sinister activities, lending some credibility to certain conspiracy theories. He also points out that the Masonic model of male fellowship, characterized by myth, ritual, and secrecy, has been adopted and distorted by various groups, including the Sicilian mafia and the Ku Klux Klan.
The enduring curiosity about what happens in Masonic lodges, the secrets kept, and the nature of its rituals remains a focal point of public fascination, despite the increased availability of information on the internet. Dickie suggests that the true essence of Masonic secrecy is far richer and more complex than what any exposé could reveal, involving a sacred drama that transcends time and space. This multifaceted nature of Freemasonry, entwined with myths and misconceptions, makes its study both challenging and rewarding.