History of Freemasonry
(Source: United Grand Lodge of England)
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17th Century & EarlierThe questions of when, how, why and where Freemasonry originated are still the subject of intense speculation. The general consensus amongst Masonic scholars is that it descends directly or indirectly from the organisation of operative stone masons who built the great cathedrals and castles of the middle ages.From the 1660s more evidence exists of gentlemen being made Masons in non-operative Lodges. |
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18th CenturyOn 24 June 1717 four London Lodges, which had existed for some time, came together at theGoose and Gridiron Tavern in St Paul’s Churchyard, declared themselves a Grand Lodge and elected Anthony Sayer as their Grand Master. This was the first Grand Lodge in the world.In 1751, a rival Grand Lodge appeared in London. Its original members were Irish Masons who claimed that the original Grand Lodge had made innovations. They dubbed the first Grand Lodge the Moderns and called themselves the Antients. The two existed side by side - both at home and abroad - for nearly 63 years, neither recognising each other as regular. |
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19th CenturyAfter four years of negotiation, the two Grand Lodges in England united on 27 December 1813 to form the United Grand Lodge of England. This union led to a great deal of standardisation of ritual, procedures and regalia.By 1814, some 647 Lodges were in existence. The 19th century saw a great expansion of Freemasonry - both at home and abroad. |
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20th Century - TodayThe two World Wars both had a great effect on English Freemasonry. In the three years after the First World War over 350 new Lodges were set up, and in the three years after the Second World War nearly 600 new Lodges came into being. In many cases the founders were servicemen who wanted to continue the camaraderie they had built up during their war service, and were looking for a calm centre in a greatly changed and changing world.Preparations are now beginning to celebrate the tercentenary of Grand Lodge in June 2017. |
