| A.D. 926 - ENGLAND'S MOST ANCIENT GRAND LODGE IS FOUNDED
"Edward died in 924, and was succeeded by Athelstane his son, who appointed his brother Edwin, patron of the masons. This prince procured a charter from Athelstane, empowering them to meet annually in communication at York, where the first Grand Lodge of England was formed in 926, at which Edwin presided as Grand Master. Here many old writings were produced, in Greek, Latin and other languages, from which the constitutions of the English lodges are derived. The activity and princely conduct of Edwin qualified him, in every respect, to preside over so celebrated a body of men as the masons, who were employed under him in repairing and building many churches and superb edifices, which had been destroyed by the ravages of the Danes and other invaders, not only in the city of York, but at Beverley, and other places. On the death of Edwin, Athelstane undertook in person the direction of the lodges, and the art of masonry was propagated in peace and security under his sanction." (SOURCE: Illustrations of Masonry - William Preston) "Then to breakfast in the fabric of the lodge, and forthwith all are to return to work until noon. Between April and August they shall sleep in lodge, then work until the first bell of Vespers." (SOURCE: Fabric Rolls of York Minster - AD 1355) "At York Minster in 1370 a strict code of ordinances for masons was drawn up by the Chapter, regulating times and hours of work and refreshment; (penalties for breaches). The men were forbidden to go more than a mile from the 'lodge' in their free time; new men were to work a week a more on trial and if they were found 'sufficient' by the Master of Works and the Master Mason they were sworn 'upon the book' to adhere to the rules. Throughout this document the word 'lodge' refers primarily to the masons' workshop, but it was also their home, refectory and 'clubroom'." (SOURCE: Craft, Trade or Mystery, Part One - Dr Bob James) "The early history of Freemasonry is linked to the history of the trade groups, Roman Collegia, brotherhoods and corporations. The trades started to organise themselves in the thirteenth century. The first mention of Freemasonry is to be found in an English document of 1376, and again in 1396 in a document of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Freemasonry was never exclusively operative. Religious and initiatory aspects always went alongside the concrete, professional transmission of technical skills and the defence of the interest of members, as we know them today as trade unions. The organisations also helped the members in distress, provided charity, and looked after the good behaviour of the initiates. This dual nature of the movement became more visible with the admission of "accepted", non-operative members. As a result the lodges became meeting points for the trade people and men of culture. The decrease in the number of big building sites, such as those for new cathedrals, and the Renaissance, led to the decline of the brotherhoods, leaving more room for the speculative Masons in the Lodges." (SOURCE: An Outsiders View of Freemasonry, Annex 2 - Gilles C H Nullens) 1567 - THE GRAND LODGE AT YORK Lord Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge at York sanctions the appointment of Sir Thomas Gresham as Grand Master for the South to superintend the government of all London Lodges on behalf of the Grand Lodge at York. "In the year 1567, the increase of Lodges in the South of England being so great as to require some NOMINAL PATRON to superintend their government, it was resolved that a person under the title of Grand Master for the South should be appointed for that purpose, with the approbation of the GRAND LODGE at YORK, to whom the whole Fraternity at large were bound to pay tribute and acknowledge subjection." (SOURCE: The Manifesto of 1778, The Lodge of Antiquity, formerly the Old Lodge of St Paul. Full transcript on this website) 1705 - OLD GRAND LODGE AT YORK The Old Grand Lodge at York continues to meet regularly at York under the direction of Grand Master, Sir George Tempest, Baronet. Several subordinate Lodges meet and many worthy brethren are initiated in York and its neighborhood. Sir George is succeeded as Grand Master by the Rt Hon. Robert Benson, Lord Mayor of York. "It is worth noting again, as remarked earlier, that the Lodge records that are dated from 1705 are unquestionably regarded as being those of a Grand Lodge. Moreover they are nowhere referred to as being the first or early minutes and accounts. They are simply the earliest extant. (SOURCE: York Mysteries Revealed, Page 354 - Revd Neville Barker Cryer) "In fact, is it possible that here, as in Chester, there is evidence of an organised Lodge in 1666 and by 1705 there was a York Lodge behaving as only an older type of Grand Lodge was expected to behave at that time? I have discovered hard proof that this is so." (SOURCE: FREEMASONRY TODAY, Issue 37 - Article "The Question of The First Grand Lodge") "We know from evidence ... that it was customary for the York Lodge to convene, or create, a lodge in other places than York, thus already acting as if it were a 'Grand Lodge' ......... exerting an authority to extend Freemasonry in its area of influence, as an extension of itself." (SOURCE: York Mysteries Revealed - Revd Neville Barker Cryer) "One of the 'Grand Lodge' claims that marked this Lodge in York as being more than a private lodge with a pretentious name was its undoubted right to authorize the holding of other private lodges on receipt of a constitution or warrant from 'the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge'." (SOURCE: York Mysteries Revealed - Revd Neville Barker Cryer) 1717 - GRAND LODGE OF LONDON Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary it is still claimed by some that organised Freemasonry began in 1717 when "Four Old Lodges" met in a small back room of a London Ale-house. This extravagant claim cannot be substantiated. "There is a legend that in 1716 Four Old Lodges in London ... finding themselves neglected by Sir Christopher Wren, with the assistance of some old Brothers, met together at the Apple Tree Tavern in Charles Street, Covent Garden, and '... constituted themselves a Grand Lodge pro Temperore in Due Form', and on St John Baptist's Day, A.D. 1717, the Assembly and Feast of the Free and Accepted Masons was held at the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house in St Paul's Church-yard. In this humble fashion, without show or pretence, in a room at a Tavern about 22 feet long by 16 feet wide, the first Grand Lodge in London was, accordIng to the account given by Dr. Anderson in his "New Book of Constitutions" (1738) thus formally Constituted." "Whilst it is now recognised that Dr Anderson's Story of the Craft, based on mythical tales and legendary traditions is quite untrustworthy, yet his version of the actual origin of the Grand Assembly, or Grand Lodge at London may or may not deserve some credence, for, after all it is only available for our consideration as there are no records prior to 1723, so what ever may or may not have happened in 1717 is left only to imagination." (SOURCE: Paper read before the Manchester Association for Masonic Research in May 1924, by Bro. Heiron, author of Ancient Freemasonry and the Dundee Lodge No.18 1722-1920) "It is to be regretted that the records of the 'Four Old Lodges' do not antedate those of the 'Grand Lodge', they brought into existence, as fortunately happens in the case of the single lodge which blossomed into the 'Grand Lodge of all England, held at York,' and assuredly the priority of a few years cannot be urged as a reason for styling the one body legal, and denying such a position to the other." (SOURCE: The History of Freemasonry, Vol. IV - Robert Freke Gould) 1723 - ANDERSON'S FIRST BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS The Grand Lodge of London formally constitutes itself by publishing a Book of Constitutions written by Dr. James Anderson simply dated 1723. It takes upon itself the authority to legislate for Lodges "... in or near London". "Bro. Anderson, having acquitted himself of the task, in 1722 submitted his work to the commission, who approved it, and caused it to be sanctioned by the Grand Lodge on the 25th March, 1723. This constitution is entitled 'The Book of Constitutions of Freemasons, containing the History, Charges, and Regulations, etc., of that Most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity, for the use of the Lodges." "This Constitution is based upon the charter of York, which, of all others, has served as a guide for all those which have been established since A.D. 926. Into this constitution were carried otherwise the changes and the developments which were rendered indispensable by the new object of the society, and properly above all was caused to predominate the supremacy of the Grand Lodge of London. This last tendency, so much to be, in this our own day, deprecated, but proves that the authors were not penetrated by the true spirit of the Charter of York." (SOURCE: A General History of Freemasonry in Europe, Page 96. Published in 1869, translated and compiled from the Masonic Histories of Emmanuel Rebold, M.D., by J. Fletcher Brennan, Editor of The American Freemasons Magazine) 1725 - THE GRAND LODGE OF ALL ENGLAND AT YORK In an open and public statement, the Old Grand Lodge at York adopts the name "The Grand Lodge of All England" setting down a marker that the Old Grand Lodge will not tolerate further unauthorised expansion by The Grand Lodge of London outside of London and Westminster. 1738 - ANDERSON'S SECOND BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS Thirteen years have passed since the Grand Lodge of All England issued its warning to the London Grand Lodge against expansion outside of the bounds of London and Westminster. Despite this warning Dr Anderson publishes his "New Book of Constitutions" which claims jurisdiction over Masonic Lodges outside of London. Anderson includes, for the first time, the legend of the "Four Old Lodges". "In 1738 Anderson brought out a second edition which was intended to replace the earlier one altogether, but it was a slovenly performance and the regulations were printed in so confused a manner, being all mixed up with notes and endorsements (many inaccurately stated), that it was difficult to make head or tail of them and to ascertain what was the law of the Craft. He also re-wrote the history entirely and greatly expanded it, introducing so many absurdities that Gould has suggested that he was deliberately fooling the Grand Lodge, or in the alternative he was in himself in his dotage. He died very shortly after. But this same ridiculous history has done duty in all seriousness till comparatively recent years, being brought up to date by Preston and others who were apparently quite unconscious of its true value. Unfortunately that portion of the history which professed to give an account of the proceedings of Grand Lodge and for which the official minutes were at Anderson's disposal is full of what one must consider wilful inaccuracies and misstatements." (SOURCE: Anderson's Constitutions of 1723 by Lionel Vibert) 1751 - GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS ACCORDING TO THE OLD INSTITUTIONS Antient Brethren of the Grand Lodge of London rebel and form themselves into the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons according to the Old Institutions, now popularly known as ANTIENTS GRAND LODGE. The founders of the Antients Grand Lodge vehemently dissapprove of the arbitrary changes and innovations made to the Ancient Charges, Regulations and Landmarks of the Order by the Grand Lodge of London. They brand the remaining London Grand Lodge members "The Moderns". 1779 - GRAND LODGE SOUTH OF THE RIVER TRENT In its Manifesto of 1778 the Lodge of Antiquity, the first of the "Four Old Lodges" acknowledges in unequivocal terms the primacy and the antiquity of The Grand Lodge of All England which continues to work at York. It carefully places on record the circumstances surrounding the formation of the Grand Lodge of London. "WE do, therefore, hereby solemnly avow, acknowledge, and admit the Authority of the said Most Worshipful GRAND LODGE at YORK, as the truly ancient and only regular governing Grand Lodge of Masons in England, to whom the Fraternity all owe and are rightly bound to pay allegiance." The Lodge of Antiquity formally withdraws all authority granted to The Grand Lodge of London by the "Four Old Lodges". It cites a breach of Article 39 of the Anderson Constitutions of 1723. " ... we do by these presents retract from, and recall all such rights and powers, as We, or our predecessors, did CONDITIONALLY give to the said nominal Grand Lodge in London; and do hereby disannul and make void all future Edicts and Laws which the said grand Lodge may presume to issue and enforce, by virtue of such sanction, as representatives of the ancient and honourable Society of FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS. " The Grand Lodge South of the River Trent is established under a charter or warrant granted by The Grand Lodge of All England at York. 1794-1801 GRAND LODGE OF ALL ENGLAND AT YORK Warranted Lodges at York: Talbot Lodge at Halifax 1738; French Prisoners Lodge at Stonegate 1762; Three Tuns Lodge at Scarborough 1762; Royal Oak Lodge at Ripon 1769; Crown Lodge at Knaresborough 1769; Duke of Devonshire's Flying Childers Lodge at Macclesfield 1770; Hovingham Lodge 1773; Druidical Lodge at Rotherham 1778; New Inn Lodge at Snainton 1778; Grand Lodge South of the River Trent at London 1779; Fortitude Lodge at Hollinwood 1790. Between 1794 and 1801 England is subjected to a catalogue of repressive legislation beginning with the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act (1794) and culminating in the Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800. This legislation includes: the Treasonable Practices Act (1795); the Seditious Meetings Act (1795); the Newspaper Publications Act (1797); the Corresponding Societies Act (1799); and The Unlawful Societies Act (1799). 1813 - UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND Legislation between 1794 and 1801 paves the way for the Articles of Union between the Moderns Grand Lodge of London and the Antients Grand Lodge of the Old Institutions under the leadership, respectively, of the Duke of Wharton and the Duke of Sussex, brothers of the Hanovarian blood Royal. The United Grand Lodge of England is brought into being. Having driven "unlawful" Lodges underground, the Articles of Union of 1813 enables the bogus doctrine of "recognition" together with the novel claim for exclusive jurisdiction over English Freemasonry. With the Duke of Sussex at its head as Grand Master, the United Grand Lodge of England represents the Hanovarian approach to all English constitutional structures including the Church and Parliament: hegemony; rationalisation; rigid control. (See: Webpage "Articles and Papers" - The Role of Grand Lodges by Richard MartinYoung). 1823 - GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF ENGLAND In order to free themselves from the repressive control of the United Grand Lodge of England, Antient Freemasons, this time in the North of England, break away and form themselves into an Antients Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England, also known as The Grand Lodge held at Wigan warrants and constitutes several Lodges. This Antients Grand Lodge enjoys a great deal of success, and experiences some hard times, but it continues to work continuously until just before the outbreak of World War One - 1913. 2005 - THE GRAND LODGE OF ALL ENGLAND AT YORK 1,079 years after King Athelstan granted the Charter of York; 439 years after sanctioning the appointment of the first Pro Grand Master for London; 300 years after the naming of The Grand Lodge of All England, at York; the Assembly of Masons meets in Mason's Loft, York Minster and reclaims Ancient York Masonry to its rightful custodians. A date is set to repone The Grand Lodge of All England, to meet in Convocation strictly in accordance with the Old York Constitutions, and to continue the working traditions of the Ancient and Honourable Society and Fraternity of Freemasons meeting at York since Time Immemorial, England's most ancient Grand Lodge. Warranted Lodges at York: St John's Lodge at York; Talbot Lodge at Halifax; French Prisoners Lodge at York; Three Tuns Lodge at Scarborough; Royal Oak Lodge at Ripon; Crown Lodge at Knaresborough; Duke of Devonshire's Flying Childers Lodge at Bolton Abbey; Hovingham Lodge; Druidical Lodge at Rotherham; New Inn Lodge at Snainton; Fortitude Lodge at Hollinwood; Renaissance Lodge at London; Kipling Lodge at Staines; St John's Lodge at Ohio, USA. |
