[mnehring]

The problem is the earliest Scottish Lodges were started in the early 15th century (the UGLE in early 18th century) while the Templars themselves where eliminated in the early 1307, a century earlier. One could say there was inspiration, just as there was inspiration from the Knights of Malta and the Knights of St. Andrew, but the direct connection would be hard to prove.

[Savage Beast]

A direct connection may be hard or even impossible to prove; however, it's possible that records long held secret are in existence. It would not be surprising if the Templars remained underground from the 14th to the 15th centuries--or even until the 21st.

I am not a Mason, though my father was.

If the Masons could prove that they are in fact the Templars, they should petition the Vatican not only for the return of the property but for restoration of the Order.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> The problem is the earliest Scottish Lodges were started in the early 15th century (the UGLE in early 18th century) while the Templars themselves where eliminated in the early 1307, a century earlier.

For speculative Freemasonry, perhaps. The operative Freemasons and their guilds were around long before that: amongst other things they built the Cathedrals.