John Coustos

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John Coustos (1703, Bern–1746) was an eighteenth-century Swiss businessman living in England.

While traveling on business he founded a Masonic lodge in Lisbon and was arrested by the Portuguese Inquisition. After questioning he was sentenced to the galleys. Three Portuguese Masons were put to death. He was released in 1744 as a result of the intercession of George II of England. After his release and return to England, Coustos wrote a book detailing his experiences in the hands of the Inquisition.

[edit] Literature

• John Coustos: The Sufferings of John Coustos for Freemasonry and for His Refusing to Turn Roman Catholic in the Inquisition, Kessinger Publishing, ISBN 1-4179-4187-1