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Samuel von Brukenthal - the Freemason Baron
![Samuel von Brukenthal - the Freemason Baron [1]](https://gomagcdn.ro/domains/editurauniversitara.ro/files/product/original/samuel-von-brukenthal-baronul-francmason-614842.jpg "Samuel von Brukenthal - the Freemason Baron [1]")
Publisher: Editura Universitară
Author: Gheorghe Bichicean
Edition: I
Pages: 250
Publisher year: 2025
ISBN: 978-606-28-1987-3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5682/9786062819873
Product Code:
9786062819873
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Historian Gheorghe Bichicean (b. 1951, Sibiu) holds a doctorate in history from the Faculty of History, University of Bucharest. He carried out a prodigious teaching activity, between 2012 and 2016, being rector of the Romanian-German University in Sibiu. Doctor Honoris Causa and Honorary Senator of the International Institute of Management - IMI-NOVA from Chisinau (Republic of Moldova); Honorary Senator of the Academy of Land Forces "Nicolae Bălcescu" from Sibiu. He obtained numerous awards, including the Medal of Honor of the University "Kujawy and Pomorze University" in Bydgoscz (Poland) and the Diploma of Excellence of the "Wilhelm Löhe University" in Fürth (Germany), the Order of "Masonic Merit in the rank of Commander" and the medal "Cultural Masonic Merit" 1st class. Founding editor of the magazine "Gnosis" and member of the Masonic Research Society "Quatuor Coronati" in Bayreuth, Germany. He wrote and published over 125 contributing studies in specialized magazines and 39 books in prestigious publishing houses in the country. At the Editura Universitara din Bucuresti he published: "Freemasonry and the myth of Horea", "Alexandru Vaida Voevod. Freemason and politician", "From the History of Freemasonry. Bălcescu and the secret societies", "The United Principalities before Europe. A manifesto of Prince Gheorghe D. Bibescu". A medallion of the historian Gheorghe Bichicean, including his scientific activity, is in the "Encyclopedia of representatives of Romanian historical writing", work edited by the Romanian Academy (vol. I, 2021).
Undertaking a research concerning the Masonic activity of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal proved to be an unprecedented and necessary challenge. Unprecedented, because no other work has particularly captured his Masonic path, in order to reveal his vocation for the Masonic Order. At the same time, it is also a challenge, because his path represents, in a way, a filiation with the activity that I carried out in Masonic lodges with a similar identity. I wrote this book without entering into the debates or speculations that appeared in the public space, especially after the unveiling of the statue of Samuel von Brukenthal in front of the Museum that bears his name, with the belief that this can give rise to a new image, showing him as a man of his time, dominated by the ideas of the Enlightenment, which he embraced. I considered it appropriate to add some nuance to the Baron's attitude in non-Masonic political life, based on an understanding of the spirit and mentality of those times. Samuel von Brukenthal belonged to a privileged class and, like any member of it, having a noble title, he expressed himself through and in its interests.
George de Lagarde developed this thesis, based on the existing reality of a stratified society: in political life the nobleman participates through the place conferred by his nobility; he gives himself unreservedly to the privileged state to which he belongs, in which and through which he expresses himself, according to the interests of the "state". This remains one of the fundamental features, particularly well captured by G. de Lagarde, valid for any stratified society. In order to understand history, we need to penetrate the spirit of the times. Nicolae Iorga considered Samuel von Brukenthal "a man endowed with high intellectual qualities, the greatest son in the history of the Saxon nation". In the economic and political context of that time, his appointment proved to be, for the moment, a salutary solution, our great historian continued. And the disputes regarding his political activity, often criticized, can be placed on other coordinates. In the pioneering phase of Freemasonry in the 18th century, almost three decades after the creation of the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster, the first Masonic Lodge was founded in Vienna (1742). Among the first Transylvanians who came into early contact with this lodge, admitted to the Freemasonic Order, was the young Samuel von Bruckenthal, the future governor of Transylvania. His name would be linked to many other lodges in Germany (Halle, Berlin, Leipzig) and, indirectly, in Transylvania (Sibiu).
In 1784, when the "Imperial Grand Lodge" was founded with Provincial Grand Lodges in Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Transylvania, the elite of Transylvanian Freemasonry would also include members of the von Brukenthal family: Michael4 (governor's secretary and committee member of the Saxon University on September 29, 1790) and Carl, both members of the Lodge St. Andreas zu den drei Seeblätern in Sibiu. The evolution of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal's Masonic life can be divided into two levels: that of the political-military reality and that of Freemasonry itself. The latter level was based on the differences in the positioning of two rival states - Austria and Prussia - not only for political, territorial and military reasons, but also for Freemasonry reasons. Meteoric in Viennese Freemasonry but fruitful in Halle, with conjuncture in Berlin, Leipzig and Jena, the activity of Samuel von Brukenthal requires a cautious analysis for the period from his return to Sibiu until his transition to the Eternal East. From 1777, the position of governor of Transylvania interfered with the life of the Lodge St. Andreas zu den drei Seeblätern, founded in Sibiu in 1767. Even if he did not "work" in this Lodge, it seems that he protected it, proposing new initiations such as that of Samuel Hahnemann, trying to negotiate with the rebels from 1784 through the Freemason doctor Ioan Piuariu Molnar or taking for safekeeping for a short period of time the workshop documents, when it was decided to put the Sibiu Lodge into dormancy. It is a page of history that fits into the Romanian Freemasonry space and time, the history of a character who, almost three centuries ago, embraced the principles of the Enlightenment and the progressive foundations of Freemasonry, developed by the European elites.
George de Lagarde developed this thesis, based on the existing reality of a stratified society: in political life the nobleman participates through the place conferred by his nobility; he gives himself unreservedly to the privileged state to which he belongs, in which and through which he expresses himself, according to the interests of the "state". This remains one of the fundamental features, particularly well captured by G. de Lagarde, valid for any stratified society. In order to understand history, we need to penetrate the spirit of the times. Nicolae Iorga considered Samuel von Brukenthal "a man endowed with high intellectual qualities, the greatest son in the history of the Saxon nation". In the economic and political context of that time, his appointment proved to be, for the moment, a salutary solution, our great historian continued. And the disputes regarding his political activity, often criticized, can be placed on other coordinates. In the pioneering phase of Freemasonry in the 18th century, almost three decades after the creation of the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster, the first Masonic Lodge was founded in Vienna (1742). Among the first Transylvanians who came into early contact with this lodge, admitted to the Freemasonic Order, was the young Samuel von Bruckenthal, the future governor of Transylvania. His name would be linked to many other lodges in Germany (Halle, Berlin, Leipzig) and, indirectly, in Transylvania (Sibiu).
In 1784, when the "Imperial Grand Lodge" was founded with Provincial Grand Lodges in Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Transylvania, the elite of Transylvanian Freemasonry would also include members of the von Brukenthal family: Michael4 (governor's secretary and committee member of the Saxon University on September 29, 1790) and Carl, both members of the Lodge St. Andreas zu den drei Seeblätern in Sibiu. The evolution of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal's Masonic life can be divided into two levels: that of the political-military reality and that of Freemasonry itself. The latter level was based on the differences in the positioning of two rival states - Austria and Prussia - not only for political, territorial and military reasons, but also for Freemasonry reasons. Meteoric in Viennese Freemasonry but fruitful in Halle, with conjuncture in Berlin, Leipzig and Jena, the activity of Samuel von Brukenthal requires a cautious analysis for the period from his return to Sibiu until his transition to the Eternal East. From 1777, the position of governor of Transylvania interfered with the life of the Lodge St. Andreas zu den drei Seeblätern, founded in Sibiu in 1767. Even if he did not "work" in this Lodge, it seems that he protected it, proposing new initiations such as that of Samuel Hahnemann, trying to negotiate with the rebels from 1784 through the Freemason doctor Ioan Piuariu Molnar or taking for safekeeping for a short period of time the workshop documents, when it was decided to put the Sibiu Lodge into dormancy. It is a page of history that fits into the Romanian Freemasonry space and time, the history of a character who, almost three centuries ago, embraced the principles of the Enlightenment and the progressive foundations of Freemasonry, developed by the European elites.
FOREWORD/ 9
VORWORT / 12
INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE PROBLEM/ 15
FREEMASONRY IN AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN POLICIES /25
Maria Theresa between severity and tolerance / 27
Prussian expansion through Frederick II the Great / 35
SAMUEL VON BRUKENTHAL FREEMASON IN THE GRACE OF MARIA THERESA / 46
Biographical summary / 47
The ascension/ 49
FROM VIENNA TO HALLE/ 59
Ritual confluences 1743-1745/ 59
A meteoric journey. The Lodge “aux Trois Canons”/ 86
Halle and the triumph of the Enlightenment. Lodge "aux trois Clefs d’Or" / 97
Feasts of Saint John / 127
Internal Regulations / 140
"Law concerning the Brethren composing this Lodge" / 140
"Article concerning the reception of Disciples / 144
and Companions" / 144
MASTERS IN THE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE LODGE “AUX TROIS CLEFS D’OR”/ 147
Masters in the Chair / 147
List of Lodge Members / 151
The Flickering Light / 161
VIENNA – HALLE INITIATIVE AXIS. A SYMBOLIC FILIALITY/ 166
CONTINUITY IN MASONIC WORK. HYPOTHESES/ 171
Informal relations with the Lodge "St. Andreas to the Three Lakes"/ 171
Carl and Michael von Brukenthal "brothers of the lodge"/ 185
Samuel Hahnemann in the Masonic Light / 187
Ioan Piuariu Molnar and the "dangerous mandate"/ 189
The Baron "Visitor" / 193
1796. ALONG WITH THE LODGE "ST. ANDREAS TO THE THREE LAKES"/ 203
The Josephite Masonic Reforms / 203
The Baron's Position / 208
Sent "to a boarding house" with a consolation prize/ 214
ADDENDA. TRADITIONS AND MASONIC LINEAGE IN THE SIBIU EAST/ 217
"Harmony to the 3 Lake Leaves" and "Saint Andreas/Brukenthal"/ 217
"St. Andreas to the three Lake Leaves" / 220
"The Three Golden Keys" / 223
APPENDIXES / 225
BIBLIOGRAPHY/ 232
VORWORT / 12
INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE PROBLEM/ 15
FREEMASONRY IN AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN POLICIES /25
Maria Theresa between severity and tolerance / 27
Prussian expansion through Frederick II the Great / 35
SAMUEL VON BRUKENTHAL FREEMASON IN THE GRACE OF MARIA THERESA / 46
Biographical summary / 47
The ascension/ 49
FROM VIENNA TO HALLE/ 59
Ritual confluences 1743-1745/ 59
A meteoric journey. The Lodge “aux Trois Canons”/ 86
Halle and the triumph of the Enlightenment. Lodge "aux trois Clefs d’Or" / 97
Feasts of Saint John / 127
Internal Regulations / 140
"Law concerning the Brethren composing this Lodge" / 140
"Article concerning the reception of Disciples / 144
and Companions" / 144
MASTERS IN THE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE LODGE “AUX TROIS CLEFS D’OR”/ 147
Masters in the Chair / 147
List of Lodge Members / 151
The Flickering Light / 161
VIENNA – HALLE INITIATIVE AXIS. A SYMBOLIC FILIALITY/ 166
CONTINUITY IN MASONIC WORK. HYPOTHESES/ 171
Informal relations with the Lodge "St. Andreas to the Three Lakes"/ 171
Carl and Michael von Brukenthal "brothers of the lodge"/ 185
Samuel Hahnemann in the Masonic Light / 187
Ioan Piuariu Molnar and the "dangerous mandate"/ 189
The Baron "Visitor" / 193
1796. ALONG WITH THE LODGE "ST. ANDREAS TO THE THREE LAKES"/ 203
The Josephite Masonic Reforms / 203
The Baron's Position / 208
Sent "to a boarding house" with a consolation prize/ 214
ADDENDA. TRADITIONS AND MASONIC LINEAGE IN THE SIBIU EAST/ 217
"Harmony to the 3 Lake Leaves" and "Saint Andreas/Brukenthal"/ 217
"St. Andreas to the three Lake Leaves" / 220
"The Three Golden Keys" / 223
APPENDIXES / 225
BIBLIOGRAPHY/ 232
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