History of Freemasonry
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History of Freemasonry
There are several theories about the origins of Freemasonry, ranging from ancient builders to medieval stonemasons.
Still to this day, the roots of modern Freemasonry are the subject of intense speculation, but the general consensus among Masonic scholars is that they lie with the medieval stonemasons that built our castles and cathedrals.
Let us take you on a journey back in time through the history of Freemasonry – as we begin in the medieval era, all the way through to 2017 when the Royal Albert Hall was centre stage for the United Grand Lodge of England’s 300th anniversary celebrations.
Middle Ages
The 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.
1646
The Origins of Freemasonry in England
The first documented making of an English Freemason, Elias Ashmole, at Warrington in 1646.
1660
From the 1660s more evidence exists of gentlemen being made Masons in non-operative Lodges.
The image is taken from https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions/freemasons-and-the-white-house
1717
This drawing depicts the Goose and Gridiron Tavern in London, the historical site where modern Freemasonry began.
On June 24, 1717, four existing London lodges met at the alehouse to form the first Grand Lodge of England, the world’s first Grand Lodge.
They elected Anthony Sayer as their Grand Master.
The café and bar at the current Freemasons’ Hall in London has been rebranded as the Goose and Gridiron in tribute to this historical location.
1723
By this time the new Grand Lodge had published its first rule book – The Book of Constitutions of Masonry – and was meeting quarterly and recording its meetings. It had extended its authority outside London.
1725
The Grand Lodge of Ireland was established.
photo from Grand Lodge of Ireland © Jim Smillie cc-by-sa/2.0 :: Geograph Ireland
1736
The Grand Lodge of Scotland was established.
The three Home Grand Lodges began to take Freemasonry overseas and the development of Freemasonry abroad mirrors the 18th and 19th century development of the British Empire.
The three Home Grand Lodges began to take Freemasonry overseas and the development of Freemasonry abroad mirrors the 18th and 19th century development of the British Empire.
1751
Premier Grand Lodge of England (Moderns)
Founded in 1717 at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern in London, it was the first organized Grand Lodge in the world. By mid-century, critics claimed it had “modernized” rituals and strayed from tradition.
Antient Grand Lodge of England (Antients)
Formed in 1751 by Irish Masons in London who felt excluded. They insisted they followed the “old institutions” and accused the Moderns of innovation.
These two lodges coexisted in rivalry until 1813, when they united to form the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE).
1775
English Freemasonry has a new home on Great Queens, Street, London, England
1813
1814
Some 647 Lodges were in existence. The 19th century saw a great expansion of Freemasonry – both at home and abroad.
1900
2,800 Lodges had been established despite losses when independent Grand Lodges were formed in Canada and Australia in the later part of the century.
1927
United Grand Lodge of England’s headquarters Freemasons’ Hall – originally called the Masonic Peace Memorial – were built between 1927 and 1933, as a memorial to more than 3,000 members of the United Grand Lodge who lost their lives in the First World War.
The 1914 – 1918 and the 1939 – 1945 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.
1967
On 14 June 1967 the 250th anniversary of Grand Lodge was celebrated at the Royal Albert Hall. Centrepiece of the celebrations was the installation as Grand Master of HRH The Duke of Kent, who still holds that office today.
1992
On 10 June 1992 over 12,500 Freemasons and guests gathered at Earls Court in West London to celebrate the 275th anniversary of Grand Lodge.
For the first time press and television were present at a meeting of Grand Lodge and the event featured on television newscasts around the world.
2017
The tercentenary of Grand Lodge in 2017 was celebrated in style throughout the year, culminating with a special meeting of Grand Lodge at the Royal Albert Hall, which was presided over by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, and attended by representatives of sovereign Grand Lodges from around the world.
The North Gallery in the Museum of Freemasonry was opened as part of the celebration and tells the history of three centuries of English Freemasonry through displays and public tour
