Freemasonry consists of
fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local fraternities of
stonemasons, which from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. The degrees of freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft
guilds, those of
Apprentice,
Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and
Master Mason. These are the degrees offered by Craft (or Blue Lodge) Freemasonry. Members of these organisations are known as
Freemasons or
Masons. There are additional degrees, which vary with locality and jurisdiction, and are usually administered by different bodies than the craft degrees.