Traditional Study of Freemasonry 

The historical study of Freemasonry relates to its history from an esoteric or secret point of view.

Quite often the traditional and the historic studies of Freemasonry have be combined as one.  This has caused a weakening of the claims of Freemasonry in the minds of those who are not part of the Craft.  (See "The History of Freemasonry" by Mackey page 1)