The Legend of the Craft, as it comes to us in manuscripts, begins with a study of the seven liberal arts and sciences. We know that these seven arts and sciences were esteemed in the courses of education, not so much as the foundation, but as the height of all human learning. The Legend naturally bears the spirit of the age in which it was invented. But Freemasons particularly refer to these sciences, and exemplify them in the story they tell, because the principal science is geometry, and this they hold to be synonymous with Freemasonry.

The close connection between geometry and architecture, as practiced by Medieval Operative Freemasons, is well known. The secrets, which these Freemasons were supposed to have, were almost entirely in the application of the principals of the science of geometry to the art of building.

The Regius Poem takes its place as one of the key elements in the Legend of the Craft. Unlike most of the others legends, the Regius Poem has the distinction of being an authentic document from about 1390 and therefore holds a unique place among the historical milestones of Freemasonry. More importantly, the Regius Poem reveals an early instance of how the practices of Operative and Speculative Masonry are related, each having elements illustrated by and illustrating the other. This example of the closing verses from the Poem also shows the first documented use of the phrase "so mote it be":

	Seve yow bothe wýtte and space,
	Wel thýs boke to conne and rede,
	Heven to have for yowre mede.
	Amen! amen! so mot hýt be!
	Saý we so all per charýté.

	Save you both wit and space,
	Well this book to know and read,
	Heaven to have for your reward.
	Amen! Amen! so mote it be!
	So say we all for charity.