Freemasonry has enjoyed successes and endured challenges for more than 200 years in the area of Rochester, New York. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry arrived in the Rochester area soon after the Civil War. Instituted in 1867, this sesquicentennial history of the Valley of Rochester, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, tells the story of its triumphs and tribulations. The Valley of Rochester, through its programs and degree work, continues to follow the Supreme Council principles of "inspirations, convenience and enjoyment"--Back cover.

The popular image of Scotland is dominated by widely recognized elements of Celtic culture. But a significant non-Celtic influence on Scotland's history has been largely ignored for centuries? This book argues that much of Scotland's history and culture from 1100 forward is Jewish. The authors provide evidence that many of the national heroes, villains, rulers, nobles, traders, merchants, bishops, guild members, burgesses, and ministers of Scotland were of Jewish descent, their ancestors originating in France and Spain. Much of the traditional historical account of Scotland, it is proposed, rests on fundamental interpretive errors, perpetuated in order to affirm Scotland's identity as a Celtic, Christian society. A more accurate and profound understanding of Scottish history has thus been buried. The authors' wide-ranging research includes examination of census records, archaeological artifacts, castle carvings, cemetery inscriptions, religious seals, coinage, burgess and guild member rolls, noble genealogies, family crests, portraiture, and geographic place names.