what century were the masons formed
As a result, they began to take in non-masons as patrons. This led, in the 17th century, to large numbers of. speculativeor non-working-masons entering the masonic âlodges.â By the end of that century, Masonic lodges. were almost wholly speculative, made up of Masons who never touched chisel to stone. Freemasons kept the old traditions.