The earliest documented form of Freemasonry emerged from the operative masonic guilds of medieval Europe.
During this period, it is mostly admitted that the craft maintained a simple two-degree system that directly reflected the practical organization of stonemason's work.
[8] The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 marked a crucial transition period in Masonic history.
This development:[12][13] The period between 1730 and 1760 saw an unprecedented expansion in Masonic degrees, particularly in France and continental Europe.
Inner Order: Secret Class: According to the Regulator of Masonic Knights of 1786: The degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite vary from one jurisdiction to the next.