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The stoneworkers, also known as masons, became a secret society due to a combination of historical, cultural, and practical factors. Here are some reasons why masons, in particular, developed into a secret society:

Medieval guilds: During the Middle Ages, masons were organized into guilds, which were associations of skilled craftsmen that regulated their trade, set standards, and protected their members' interests. These guilds often had secret rituals, passwords, and symbols to identify their members and maintain exclusivity.

Exclusive knowledge: Masons possessed specialized knowledge and skills that were not easily accessible to others. They developed a system of apprenticeship, where young masons would learn the trade from experienced craftsmen, and this knowledge was passed down through generations. To protect their trade secrets, masons developed a culture of secrecy.

Cathedral building: The construction of grand cathedrals and churches during the Middle Ages required a high degree of precision, skill, and cooperation among masons. To ensure the successful completion of these projects, masons developed a system of mutual support, trust, and secrecy, which helped to maintain the integrity of their work and protect their reputation.

Traveling craftsmen: Masons were often itinerant workers, traveling from site to site to work on various projects. To facilitate communication and recognition among fellow masons, they developed a system of secret signs, symbols, and passwords, which allowed them to identify one another and verify their credentials.

Esoteric traditions: Masonry has roots in ancient esoteric traditions, such as Hermeticism, alchemy, and mysticism. These traditions emphasized the importance of secrecy, symbolism, and spiritual growth, which were incorporated into the masonic worldview.

Persecution and protection: During times of persecution, such as the Inquisition, masons may have developed secrecy as a means of protecting themselves from suspicion and harassment. By keeping their activities and beliefs hidden, they could avoid drawing attention to themselves and maintain their freedom to practice their craft.

As for why carpenters or other trades did not become secret societies, there are a few reasons:

Less specialized knowledge: Carpenters, while skilled craftsmen, did not possess the same level of specialized knowledge as masons. Their trade was more widely practiced, and their skills were more easily learned and shared.

Different work culture: Carpenters often worked on smaller-scale projects, such as building houses or furniture, which did not require the same level of cooperation and secrecy as large-scale cathedral construction.

Less esoteric connection: Carpenters did not have the same historical and cultural connections to esoteric traditions as masons, which may have contributed to the development of secrecy in the masonic craft.

In summary, the unique combination of medieval guilds, exclusive knowledge, cathedral building, traveling craftsmen, esoteric traditions, and persecution all contributed to the development of secrecy within the masonic craft. While other trades, like carpentry, shared some of these factors, they did not have the same perfect storm of conditions that led to the creation of a secret society like Freemasonry.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5837722&forum_id=2betting#49690467)

Uhhh, no. These people had to lay stone bricks. That's their actual origins. They didn't give a shit about anything but stoneworking until a certain thing happened.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5837722&forum_id=2betting#49690468)