““The theory that Masonry originated in the Holy Land during the Crusades, and was instituted by the Knights Templar, was first advanced by

the Chevalier Ramsay, for the purpose of giving aristoratic character to the association. It was subsequently adopted by the College of Clermont, and was accepted by the Baron Von Hund as the basis upon which he erected his Rite of Strict Observance. The legend of the Clermont College is thus detailed by M. Berage in his work entitled. Les Plus Secrets Mystéres des Hauts Grades (ili., 194). “The Order of Masonry was instituted by Godfrey de Bouillon in Palestine in 1330 after the defeat of the Christian armies, and was communicated only to a few of the French Masons sometime afterwards as a reward for their services which they had rendered to the English and Scottish knights. From these latter true Masonry is derived. Their Mother Lodge is situated on the mountain
of Heredom, where the first lodge in Europe was held which still exists in all is splendor.
The Council General is always held there and it is the seat of the Sovereign Grand Master for the time being. This mountain is situated between the west and the north
of Scotland, sixty miles from Edinburgh. “There are other secrets in Masonry which were never known among the French, and which have no relation to the Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master-degrees which were constructed for the general class of Masons. The high degrees, which developed the true design of Masonry and its true secrets, have never been known to them.”

Encyclopedia of Freemasonry