History of Freemasonry
The Continuous Search for Roots: From Antiquity to the Creation of the Grand Lodge
Man has searched and continues to search for his roots in all eras. This search can be explained as an attempt to hide inner uncertainty by confirming some stable points of reference that go far into the past. It is curious to note that, despite the fact that some theories have been refuted for many years, they refuse to disappear.
Theories about the origins of Freemasonry include legends about the line of succession from the ancient mysteries of Greece, Egypt, the Crusaders and professional guilds, including the corresponding guilds of Germany and France. The only theory that has solid evidence is that Freemasonry arose in professional guilds of stonemasons who traveled from place to place, working mainly on the construction of the greatest buildings of their era – Gothic cathedrals.
There is scientifically proven evidence of the participation of lay members in the guilds of professional masons, persons called “Accepted” and who participated in the “work” of the professional lodges almost as equal members. Such historical examples appear mainly in Scotland from 1599 and in England from October 16, 1646, the date when, according to his own diary, the philosopher and alchemist Elias Ashmole became an Accepted Mason.
We thus approach the historical date of June 24, 1717, when representatives of four London lodges met in the Goose and Gridiron tavern and created the first Grand Lodge of the world – the Grand Lodge of London (Grand Lodge of London and Westminster). And here the real history of Freemasonry begins.
Evolution of Freemasonry and Grand Lodges in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Of the four lodges, three are still active today, with different names and numbers. All four lodges were simply named after the public houses where they were accustomed to meet, at the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house in St. Paul’s Church-yard (Lodge now called Lodge of Antiquity No. 2); the Crown Ale-house in Parker’s Lane off Drury Lane; the Apple-Tree Tavern in Charles Street, Covent Garden (Lodge now called Lodge of Fortitude and Old Cumberland No. 12); and the Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Channel Row, Westminster (Lodge now called Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No. IV). While the three London lodges were mainly operative lodges, the Rummer and Grapes, by the Palace of Westminster, appears to have been primarily a lodge of accepted and speculative gentlemen masons, and was dissolved in 1736. The difference in numbering is due to mergers of lodges, and the great amalgamation of the Modern and Ancient lodges which took place in 1813.
So, after the first meeting, it was decided to hold the first formal meeting, which is said to have taken place on the feast of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1717, at the Goose and Gridiron Inn. There, according to Anderson, those present raised their hands and elected Anthony Sayer as the first Grand Master.
Freemasonry began to develop rapidly not only in England, but also in Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany and other European countries. In Ireland, the first Grand Lodge was created in 1725, and in Scotland in 1736. Simultaneously with the development, competing organizations began to be created. Thus, in 1725, a Grand Lodge was created in York County under the name of the Grand Lodge of All England. The lodges founded by it were mainly in Northern England, but all of them were dissolved or transferred to the Grand Lodge of England, the last of which was dissolved in 1792. Other organizations were the Grand Lodge of All England South of the River Trent and the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
The Union of Lodges in England
The most serious competitor to the Grand Lodge of England was the Ancient Grand Lodge of England, known as the “Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons” (according to the Old Constitutions granted by His Royal Highness Prince Edwin, at York, Anno Domini nine hundred and twenty six, and in the year of Masonry four thousand nine hundred and twenty six), now known as the “Ancients”. The Antient Grand Lodge was formed in 1751 and continued until 1813. The Ancients called the members of the first Grand Lodge “Moderns” because they claimed that they, the Ancients, had preserved the ancient traditions while the Moderns had introduced unacceptable changes. The first Grand Lodge did not officially accept the moniker “Moderns”.
In 1813, the Ancients and Moderns decided to unite with the Duke of Sussex as Grand Master. In 1811, the Moderns formally informed the Ancients that they had decided to return to the more ancient ritual, and the process of final unification began. At the end of 1812, the Earl of Moira resigned to take up the post of Governor of India, and the Duke of Sussex became Grand Master of the Moderns. On December 1, 1813, the Duke of Atholl resigned as Grand Master of the Ancients. The Duke of Kent, the Duke of Sussex’s elder brother, united the Ancients and Moderns in Canada. He simply merged the Modern lodges with the nearest Ancient lodges. In other words, he abolished the Canadian Moderns.
Following the merger on the feast of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1813, the new organization was called the United Grand Lodge of England, a name it retains to this day. The headquarters of the Grand Lodge are in London, a private mansion on Great Queen Street, which opened in its present form in 1933. From the early years of the Grand Lodge, lodges were established in various countries of Europe and in the English colonies. In North America, the first English lodges were founded around 1730 by the Moderns, and after 1751 by the Ancients.
Today, the United Grand Lodge of England is recognized worldwide under the honorary title of “Mother Grand Lodge”. This title is a historical honor and, of course, does not confer any special powers. The Grand Master of the U.G.L.E. has been Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, since 1967. The principal officers include the Pro Grand Master, appointed by the Grand Master, the Deputy, Assistant Grand Masters, and the Grand Secretary of the U.G.L.E. Today, Freemasonry exists in virtually every country in the world where democratic regimes exist.