The Masonic London Guide. PS Review of FM Search Engine: WALKING IN MASONIC LONDON by R.W. Bro. Yasha Beresiner In this article the author talks about his new book: THE CITY OF LONDON - A Masonic Guide. R.W. Bro. Yasha Beresiner has been an active Freemason in England, Italy and Israel since 1975 and is a Past Master of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge #2076, the Lodge of Research of the United Grand Lodge of England. He is a City of London Guide and the Editor of the Guide's Association Magazine. In November 2001 I was honoured to be elected the Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards, one of the City of Londonï¿½s ancient Livery Companies, which was granted its charter by Charles II in 1682. I felt at the time duty bound to improve my knowledge of the City beyond the courses offered by the Corporation of London (now named the City of London Corporation) for the benefit of liverymen and others. What better way than by enrolling in the Guideï¿½s Course, which already had an excellent reputation?

It was a wise decision. Before we were half-way through the course, inspired by the late and much-lamented Katrine Prince and the indefatigable Paul Taylor, I was, just like all of my colleagues, hooked on the Square Mile. Following the presentation of our certificates by the then Lord Mayor, Sir Michael Oliver, at the Mansion House in June of the following year, I immediately invited family first and friends thereafter, week after week, on city walks which had so enthralled me during the course. It does not take long, however, to run out of family members and even friends evermore reluctant to go on yet another walk. The alternative to walking alone or losing the fascinating knowledge which I had only just begun to acquire, was to join The Streets of London, a quasi-professional body of some 15 qualified guides. We each prepared our own specialised walks for publication in a bi-annual leaflet. My interests in the history of Freemasonry, which I had developed over the past two decades or so, now served me well. Freemasonry and the City of London sat comfortably side by side and this booklet is the result of those two combined interests. THE INTERVIEW THE MASONIC 'SQUARE MILE'.

Bruno Gazzo interviews Yasha Beresiner about his new book 'The City of London - A Masonic Guide' BG: Congratulations on your new publication. You have now written several books on many different subjects. How do you compare City of London : A Masonic Guide to your other books? YB: I can honestly say that I enjoyed writing this book much more than the others. When I wrote my first book The Story of Paper Money in 1983, there were no computers and certainly no internet to assist with research and just simple spelling queries, It was really a pleasure and very gratifying to write this particular book. BG You say in the book: The City of London and Freemasonry lie comfortably side by side. What do you mean? YB: What I mean is that when you walk in the ï¿½square mileï¿½, which constitutes the boundaries of the City of London and you apply your mind to freemasonry, there is something Masonic in every corner you turn.

Historically, organised freemasonry began in the City, the Goose and Gridiron near St Paulï¿½s Cathedral in 1717 and Masonic meetings have been taking place in the taverns and other City venue ever since. The imposing Bank of England was built by the same architect who built Freemasonsï¿½ Hall, the freemason John Soane and several other City architects have been Masons including Horace Jones who built the beautiful City Markets and the Tower of London. . . . you can see what I am getting at. BG: Letï¿½s stop awhile upon the ï¿½tavernsï¿½. Isnï¿½t it exciting to find out that both ï¿½Modernsï¿½ and ï¿½Antientsï¿½ met at the same tavern? YB: It is quite extraordinary that rival Lodges belonging to the Premier or ï¿½Modernsï¿½ Grand Lodge of 1717 and those of the ï¿½Antientsï¿½ of 1751 met at Mitre Tavern, Fleet Street.

The Lodge of Antiquity n 2, one of the four founding Lodges of the premier Grand Lodge that met at the Goose and Gridiron, moved to the Mitre Tavern in 1769. It continued to meet there until 1781 when it moved to Freemasonsï¿½ Hall in Great Queen Street. During the same period in 1778 the Antients Lodge of Hope number 4, which had been meeting at the Sun Tavern in Ludgate, moved to the same Mitre Tavern. Under these circumstances, it seems almost logical that the short-lived and rebel ï¿½ Grand Lodge of England South the River Trentï¿½, should also have met here. BG: What was your intention, the reason for writing this particular book? YB: I have always found that writing - a book or an article ï¿½ is the best way by far of learning and getting to know a subject thoroughly. It is also a very gratifying way of conveying information and knowledge that you gain. City of London: A Masonic Guide fulfils both these senses.

I hope that the reader will identify with me and find in the book a generally readable and interesting historical background to London and Freemasonry, as well as a step by step guide showing him the way from Freemasonsï¿½ Hall to the Bank of England ï¿½ using my book as a practical and informative illustrated guide. BG: Good luck, Yasha YB: Thank you, Bruno ï¿½ I hope you will soon come on one of my Masonic walks soon. BG: Just booked: 11.00 am Bank underground station exit 3 outside the Royal Exchange last Friday of the month. The booklet is intended both as a do-it-yourself guide to the walk and as a general historical survey of some city sites and of related aspects of Masonic interest. I have selected 26 locations between Freemasonsï¿½ Hall (incidentally just outside the boundaries of the city - yet a logical and convenient starting point) and The Royal Exchange in the Bank. As the crow flies, this is a mere 20-minute brisk walk. With this guidebook in your hand and following the route indicated, the walk will take you two hours or so through two thousand years of history.

The booklet covers just one of many possible walks combining city sites of historical interest with elements of Freemasonry in its various manifestations. Sometimes there is a direct link and relevance - when, for example, you walk down the quaint Masonï¿½s Avenue. At other times the Masonic connection is tenuous or non-existent. In this latter case let us remember, whilst avoiding any discourse as to the origins of Freemasonry, that a speculative Freemason uses and applies to modern charitable practices the emblems and symbols of the ancient operative working Masonsï¿½ trade. In this context alone every building, every church and mansion that surrounds us as we walk in the city will be a constant reminder of our Masonic heritage and ancestry. STOP 12 Cheshire Cheese Tavern Directions: Walk through the archway to the left of the statue of Hodge the cat into Gunpowder Square. Wine Office Court faces you and extends to your right. Turn right toward the Cheshire Cheese sign visible less than fifty yards ahead. Wine Office Court derives it name from the tax offices situated here, where payment for wine and spirit licences were made in the 17th and 18th century.

STOP (12) at the rails opposite the entrance to the Cheshire Cheese Tavern. Historical Notes: Cheshire Cheese Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is one of the few taverns that can genuinely call itself ï¿½oldï¿½. Several parts of the original building are still intact as they were in 1667, when the Tavern was rebuilt after the great fire of 1666. These premises are the nearest we are likely to encounter to the Goose and Gridiron which would have looked this in 1717 at the time Grand Lodge was formed. The Cheshire Cheese dates much further back to the 16th century and the board on display lists fifteen monarchs whose reigns it has survived. The interior is dark and wooden and an enchanting warren of corridors and narrow staircases that lead to several bars and dining rooms on five levels, three below ground and two above. The quaint tavern retains the early style and arrangement of fireplaces in each of the several small rooms furnished with tables and benches. The famous small ground floor bar room is decorated with black timber, including the panelled ceiling. An open fire gives the room a special atmosphere.

The portrait above the fireplace is that of a waiter who began to work at the Cheshire Cheese in 1829. Until recently on the shelf behind the bar, a leather-bound visitorsï¿½ book containing the names and autographs of hundreds of dignitaries: prime ministers, ambassadors and peers, academics and artists, was available to view. It is now stored away for safety and posterity. Dr Johnsonï¿½s well publicised and regular attendance at the Cheshire Cheese made the tavern a place of pilgrimage for many 19th century literary figures. Mark Twain, Thackeray and Charles Dickens are among those who patronised this most famous and popular tavern off Fleet Street. Of Masonic Interest: Lodge Meeting Places Organised Freemasonry had its origins in The Goose and Gridiron where the first Grand Lodge in the world was formed on 22 June 1717. Although, with the advent of nobility in our midst just a few years later, lodge meetings were sometimes held in the private homes and mansions of members of the aristocracy, the majority of the lodges continued to meet in taverns and a few coffee houses.

The 18th century tavern was an ideal meeting place for Freemasons who congregated in an atmosphere of good fellowship, fun and happiness. Frequently the publican owner of the tavern was made a Freemason, often acting as the Tyler. Grand Lodge discouraged this practice. The well-known engraved Lists of Lodges published since 1723, leading to the current familiar Year Book, identified each lodge with a quaint copper engraved illustration of the tavern or coffee house sign where the lodge met. Famous artists were commissioned to execute the engravings: John Pine, Emanuel Bowen and Benjamin Cole, all Freemasons. By the time Freemasonry began to spread at the end of the 17th century, the coffee house had been on the scene for well over half a century, yet Freemasons showed a preference for the tavern, probably because of the availability of alcohol, this, notwithstanding the high social mixture and more sophisticated atmosphere of the coffee house. Of the thirty lodges in London in 1726, only two met at a coffee house. In the next one hundred and fifty years, some four hundred new lodges were consecrated, only thirty-four of them in coffee houses. The Royal Inverness Lodge, No.

648, the first lodge warranted by the newly established United Grand Lodge of England, in 1814 was the last lodge to be consecrated in a coffee house, the Grayï¿½s Inn in Holborn. At the start of the 19th century, the establishment of Masonic Halls and especially Freemasonsï¿½ Hall, which incidentally, began its life as a tavern in its own right, changed the meeting habits of most lodges. Interestingly today some lodges still meet in public houses, which are particularly popular with Schools and Lodges of Instruction. Freemasonry generally attracted support from the gentry, merchants and the middle classes and members were often affiliated to other clubs and societies of the time. It should be noted that unlike Europe, where Freemasons had to meet in secret because the Craft was suppressed and attacked, here in England, British Freemasons operated openly, allowing them to meet publicly in taverns and coffee houses. The book can be ordered at Lewis Masonic . Seven pubs associated with Masonic Lodges - Dr. David Harrison Dr.

David Harrison Home → 7 Lists →Seven pubs associated with Masonic Lodges Post navigation Seven pubs associated with Masonic Lodges Posted on by David Harrison October 21, 2015 Since the beginnings of recorded Masonic meetings, lodges have met in taverns, public houses and inns, even the founding of the Premier Grand Lodge in 1717 occurred in the Goose and Gridiron in London. Some pubs and taverns have since been forever entwined with Freemasonry, some in a greater historical way, others just on a local level. Here is a list of my personal favourites. The Bears Paw, Frodsham The Bears Paw in the Cheshire market town of Frodsham was built in 1632; it has ‘wattle and daub’ features inside and on the outside, its sandstone blocks are etched with graffiti which dates back to the early twentieth century. It was in the later eighteenth century that a Masonic lodge under the ‘Antients’ Grand Lodge was founded at the Bears Paw in 1770, meeting there until 1794. The pub was also a coaching stop between Warrington and Chester.

It is still open and has plenty of atmosphere, and is well worth a visit. The Shakespeare Tavern, Liverpool The Shakespeare Tavern in Williamson Square, Liverpool, became best known as the meeting place for the Liverpool Masonic Rebels when they reformed the ‘Antients’ Grand Lodge on the 22nd of December 1823. A number of the Masonic Rebel met for the occasion; from both Liverpool and Wigan lodges, and read the Magna Carta of Masonic Freedom as they declared their new Grand Lodge. This ground-breaking meeting created a blow to the recent Union in England, but the rebels soon split and the Grand Lodge relocated permanently to the nearby industrial town of Wigan, operating as the Grand Lodge at Wigan until 1913. The Spread Eagle, Lymm In this quaint village pub meets Domville Lodge No. 4647, a lodge founded in 1924 and which has met in the village of Lymm in Cheshire for many years.

I used to be a member of this lodge and it was great as a historian to see how a lodge meets in a small room above a pub; you turn up half an hour before the meeting to get all the lodge furniture set up, and in the eighteenth century, this would include drawing the lodge in chalk and charcoal, then washing it off after the meeting. In my day though, you would just unroll the carpet, place the tracing board in the centre and rearrange the chairs. It’s a great lodge to visit and has a quaintness and charm about it, especially as the Festive Board takes place in the same room afterwards and you can stay for a few pints down stairs. The Punch Bowl, York The Punch Bowl in York is an extremely historical pub and was the location for the meeting of the revived Grand Lodge of All England held in York in 1761, a revival that was led by York stalwart Dr Francis Drake. This second revival of the York Grand Lodge lasted until the closing years of the eighteenth century, and there is evidence that some lodges under their sway lasted until the early years of the nineteenth century.

There were other lodges that met there in the years following the revival, such as the French Prisoners of War Lodge and the aptly named Punch Bowl Lodge, which started life as a lodge under the ‘Moderns’ but whole heartedly joined the York Grand Lodge during their revival. The Devil Tavern, London The infamous Devil Tavern in London was the location of the meetings of the Premier Grand Lodge of England during the 1720s. It was originally called The Devil and St Dunstan, so named as it was close to the church of St Dunstan’s, and celebrated how the saint had caught the Devil on the nose with his hot pincers. The Devil was famed as being the location for Ben Jonson’s Apollo Club in the early 1600s, and the writer, satirist and Freemason Jonathan Swift dined there in 1710. The Devil became a regular haunt for some Masonic lodges that met there through the 1720s and 1730s. The Tavern was sadly demolished in 1787.

The Masonic, Runcorn The Masonic pub in Runcorn, Cheshire, is quite a rarity as it originally started life as a Masonic Hall then became a pub. The Masonic, which was built in 1863, was an early example of a Masonic Hall in the area and was visited by a number of high ranking Freemasons during the later 19th century such as Lord De Tabley when he was Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire. The Hall housed the local Ellesmere Lodge until they vacated the building in 1932, the upper storey of the building was removed and the premises became a pub. The pub is currently closed and up for sale. The Green Dragon, Boston One of the most famous of the historical taverns associated with Freemasonry is the Green Dragon in Boston, which has been said to be the birthplace of Liberty, and in the opposite of the Masonic in Runcorn, the building started life as a tavern but became a ‘Masonic Hall’, becoming known as the Freemasons Arms.

The Green Dragon Tavern dates back from the later 1600s, and became the property of the St Andrew’s Lodge in 1764, the tavern also becoming a centre for political discussion. The Sons of Liberty met there, with Freemason Paul Revere being an active member. Joseph Warren was attached to the lodge that met there and for a time, the building became known as ‘Mason’s Hall’. ( For further information on the information in the above article, please refer to my books below: A Covent Garden Gilflurt's Guide to Life: The Founding of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons Tuesday, 24 June 2014 The Founding of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons In the glorious Georgian era, life in London was one of extremes and contradictions. As the long 18th century progressed, art, literature and discovery were order of the day and organisations were founded or expanded that remain famous of even infamous to this day. On 24th June 1717, a meeting took place at the Goose and Gridiron ale-house in St. Paul's Churchyard in London to celebrate the birthday of St John the Baptist.

Intended to be the Annual Assembly and Feast of four Masonic lodges of London, the meeting marked the creation of the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster, later to become the Grand Lodge of England and the Premier Grand Lodge of England. Anthony Sayer, First Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England by Joseph Highmore, 1749/50 In addition to the regular members of the Goose and Grid-iron lodge, also present were members of the lodges based at the Crown Ale-house in Parker's Lane, the Apple-Tree Tavern in Charles Street and the Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Channel Row. As well as electing a Grand Master, the meeting discussed the matter of increasing the profile of the Masons outside of London and expending the organisation across the United Kingdom. The lodge members present elected as their Grand Master a gentleman named Anthony Sayer, who occupied the role for twelve months before handing over to a civil servant, George Payne, who worked hard to build the reputation and reach of the Grand Lodge. In less than a decade there were new lodges across the country and they attracted high profile and influential men, the reputation and reach of the Masonic lodges growing exponentially as the years passed.

History - Grand Lodge of Washington History Modern renaissance It should be of note that despite all the myths, legends and speculations one fact is undeniable, that about 10,000 years ago Man Kind developed farming and ceased to be primarily a hunter gather society, building permanent settlements. This was the birth of Masonry. It was the birth of a time when man kind needed to build societies, create monetary systems, understand mathematics, technology, language and law. It was the first time when humanity began to sculpt it’s own environment according to our own will. But what was soon discovered is that in the process of creating our environments, our environments then shape us back. MYTHOLOGY Because Freemasons include mythological stories and anecdotes in their ritual work, a great amount of speculation exists as to the Craft’s origins, and thousands of publications in the form of books, pamphlets and articles, of widely varying quality have been written to attempt to uncover the truth about the ancient roots of our Fraternity.

While the the Grand Lodge of Washington holds no official position on the validity of alleged ancient origins of the Fraternity nor as to whether or not there is any continuity between our organization’s predecessors and our modern institution, we are happy to share the opinions of others with the general public as well as share information about organizations that may have influenced Freemasonry as it evolved into its current form. The meeting of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. The legendary history of Freemasonry alleges that the craft was in existence at the time of the building of King Solomon’s temple; this legendary history leaves open the question of the origin of that organization and, in fact, in the 18th century, the Tower of Babel figured prominently in Freemasonry’s legendary origins, and alludes to the idea that its existence may have proceeded the construction of King Solomon’s Temple. There are also references in Freemasonry’s lore which point to the time of Noah! While there are no extant primary texts from the time of King Solomon which reference the existence of Freemasonry, it is a historical fact that the Temple was constructed in the 10th Century BCE, and destroyed in the 5th century BCE.

The particulars of the Masonic legendary account of its construction, which are privileged to Masons Only, were written down in the mid 18th Century CE, and thus Solomon’sTemple holds special significants in the rituals and symbolism found in Freemasonry itself today. Circumstantial evidence, in the form of physical artifacts, found in the archeological digs of homes of architects and stone masons in Pompei and Jerusalem suggest to some that the modern myth has evolved through the generations from similar, even older variations. Some scholars have even suggested that there is evidence that the Masonic Mythical building of King Solomon’s temple is actually a Jewish variation of an even older Egyptian myth that may be tied to the architect Imhotep , who preceded the construction of King Solomon’s temple by over 1600 years. While there is no way to substantiate that there is any cohesive succession or evolution of builders guilds tying those of the ancient Egyptians, to those of the ancient Jews, to medieval predecessor of modern Freemasonry, there is little doubt that the culture of building has had common themes that originate in Egypt and have influenced architecture and the culture of the communities that have built stone monuments who have succeeded them throughout time.

It is known that a similar society, of ship builders, employing allegorical and emblematic symbols of a moral nature existed in ancient Egypt. Speculation of closed societies of builders, also carrying knowledge of mathematics and the arts have implicated particular giants of human history as being potential “ancient members” of our Fraternity. Included among the men alleged to be our ancient Brothers include Euclid, Pythagoras, Moses, and even Jesus of Nazareth . allusions to their inclusion is even reinforced in popular culture of the 20th century by Masons such as Walt Disney , when he produced the movie “ Donald Teaching Sacred Geometry. “ MEDIEVAL Guilds of builders have certainly existed since Roman times. As the Roman legions spread across the known world, expanding the empire, they needed to build fortifications. A manual for architecture, known as the Ten Books on Architecture , was written by Vitruvius during the time of Augustus Caesar. It became the most copied book of its time and was carried far and wide — making it one work that survived the fall of the Roman Empire. Yet, ironically, along with much ancient learning, other manuscripts were not largely cared for in Christian Europe.

The works of Euclid, and Pythagoras which greatly assist in the calculations needed during the engineering process of large stone construction, were not valued in the West. They were however treasured in libraries in Islamic Iberia, some monasteries in Ireland, and educational institutions in far-off Bagdad. Because of these circumstances, due to political and economic upheaval on the early Middle Ages, the construction of large structures made of stone such as complex cathedrals or intricate castles were far more rare in Europe between the 400s and 800s AD, when wood constructions often were more common than stone, particularly in the British Isles. Outside the British Isles, however, the French maintained a culture of stone craftsmen, suitable for the construction of houses, fortresses and walls. These skills were refined after emperor Charlemagne’s campaigns to resist the Norse invasions.

Even the name of the capital city, Paris, is not a reference to the Greek anti-hero of the Trojan War, but rather is a Gallic word meaning “the workmen.” It was because of the French reputation for their ability to work with stone that was the reason for importation of French workmen in the 870s in order to fortify town into keeps in England, which was initiated by King Alphred the Great of England. Up until that point villages had been fortified by wood walls, which viking invaders would simply burn down to loot, rape and pillage the English country side. Fifty-three years later his grandson, King Ethestead, then faced an unemployment issue with the Masons who began to fight among themselves for work. As a response to this, we see the first reference made to degrees in Masonry, and one of the oldest documents outlined as an official partial origin for modern Freemasonry. The following passage that’s English has been modernized out of the Halliwell Manuscript from 1390 about the Reign of King Athelstan.

This craft came unto England, as I tell you, in the time of good King Athelstan’s reign; he made then both hall, and also bower, and lofty temples of great honor, to take his recreation in both day and night, and to worship his God with all his might. This good lord loved this craft full well, and purposed to strengthen it in every part on account of various defects that he discovered in the craft. He sent about into all the land, after all the masons of the craft, to come straight to him, to amend all these defects by good counsel, if it might so happen. He then permitted an assembly to be made of divers lords in their rank, dukes, earls, and barons, also knights, squires, and many more, and the great burgesses of that city, they were all there in their degree; these were there, each one in every way to make laws for the estate of these masons. There they sought by their wisdom how they might govern it; there they found our fifteen articles, and there they made fifteen points.

We do have more information from a later manuscript from 1590, that continues the story for us: Soone after the Decease of St. Albones, there came Diverse Warrs into England out of Diverse Nations, so that the food rule of Masons was dishired (disturbed) and put down until the tyme of King Adilston. In his type there was a worthy King in England, that brought this Land into good rest, and he builded many great workes and buildings, therefore, he loved well Masons, for he had a sone called Edwin, the which Loved Masons much more than his Father did, and he was soe practized in Geometry, the he delighed much to come and talke with Masons and to learne of the the Craft.

And after, for the love he had to Masons and to the Craft, he was made a Mason at Windsor, and he gott of the King, his Father, a Charter and commission once every yeare to have Assembley, within the Realme where they would within England, and to correct within themselves Faults & Tresspasses that were done as touching the Craft, and he held them an Assembley, and there he made Maasons and gave them Charges, and taught them the Manners and Comands the same to be kept ever afterwards.

And tooke them the Charter and comission to keep their Assembley, and Ordained that it should be renewed from King to King, and when the Assembley were gathered togeather he made a Cry, that all old Masons or young, that had any Writeings or Vnderstanding of the Charges and manners that weere made befor their Lands, wheresoever they weere made Masons, that they should shew them forth, there were found some in French, some in Greek, some in Hebrew, and some in English, and some in other Languages, and when they were read and over seen well the intent of them was vnderstood to be all one, and then he caused a Book to be made thereof how this worth Craft of Masonrie was first founded, and he himselfe comanded, and also then caused, that is should be read at any tyme when it should happen any Mason or Masons to be made to give him or them their Charges, and from that, until this Day, Manners of Masons have been kept in this Manner and forme, as well as Men might Governe it, and Furthermore at diverse Assemblyes have been put and Ordained diverse Charges by the best advice of

 Masters and Fellows.

GRAND LODGE FORMATION The formation of the Grand Lodge of England on St. John’s Day (June 24) in 1717 is essentially the beginning of what is known as the “historical period of Freemasonry.” However we do know that the term “Freemason” and “Freemason’s Lodges” was in use during the mid 1600s. The formation of Grand Lodge itself established rules for running Lodges the same way, so as to make them “Regular.” Before the formation of the Grand Lodge of England, there were no standard rules for recording membership, or meeting proceedings. Thus, the events leading up to the formation of Grand Lodge are difficult to verify. While the word “Free Mason” appears in the Halliwell poem, one of the earliest references to being a “Freemason” prior to the formation of Grand Lodge in 1717, appears a generation before during the height of the English Civil War.

Elias Ashmole wrote in his diary entry for 16 October, 1646; it reads in part: “I was made a Free Mason at Warrington in Lancashire, with Coll: Henry Mainwaring of Karincham [Kermincham] in Cheshire.” Many scholars believe that Freemasonry was one of many social clubs that arose during the English Civil War. Elias was a English polymath, part of a circle known at that time as the Invisible College, which was a network of intellectuals who maintained correspondence with each other on natural philosophy (i.e., what we now call “science”). Another notable member of the Invisible College, believed to be a Freemason, was Christopher Wren, who built St. Paul’s Cathedral and many other buildings after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Scholars disagree as to the level of Wren’s involvement in the Fraternity. Some say that he was even the Grand Master of Freemasons, a title that is disputed because it is difficult to have a Grand Master, without a Grand Lodge, unless the title is entirely ceremonial.

From the evidence we do have, we know that Lodges existed before 1646 and operated with some regularity between themselves, before a governing body was formed to govern over them all. The exact members of each Lodge, where they met, what rituals they practiced, and the methods of recognition allowing members to visit or join other Lodges was never written down, and thus impossible to document with certainty. What we do know is that the Grand Lodge of England was formed when four Lodges gathered together on June 24th, 1717 at the Goose and Gridiron Ale House out side of St. Paul’s Church yard in London. However, it is evident that they had been discussing forming a governing body for several years before this time. The Grand Lodge was used primarily to provide legitimacy to Freemasonry in general, as well as a public awareness campaign to promote the growth of the Fraternity. Shortly after the formation of Grand Lodge, Lodges were chartered in dozens of cities across England.

It should be noted that many of those Lodges “formed” after the formation of Grand Lodge, may have already been operating as Freemasons long before Grand Lodge, and their “chartering” would have been an annexation of the Lodges under the Grand Lodge of England as part of consolidation. There is considerable controversy about what motivated the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. It seems possible that the Hanoverians wanted to know who the Masons were — because they tended to favor the House of Stuart — and thus wanted Freemasonry more “out in the open.” Many Lodges beyond London are said to have destroyed their records in response to the formation of the Grand Lodge – a fact that adds some credence to the Hanoverian theory. With the influx of so many Lodges under Grand Lodge, Dr. James Anderson, a Scottish Presbyterian minister, was commissioned to record the history of Freemasonry up to that point. The Book of Constitutions includes many of myths, rumors and legends already mentioned here on our site, along with others. Unfortunately this being a consolidation after the fact, we cite everything written in it as fact, as he cannot reference any primary sources. As a result it cannot be considered as fact without supporting sources.

After the publication of Anderson’s Book of Constitutions, the minutes of every meeting of every Lodge were recorded. It is for this reason that after this point, Freemasonry entered its historical period. ANCIENTS VS MODERNS After the formation of the Grand Lodge of England, several lodges chose to remain independent by not merging with the larger superstructure. By not adopting the constitutions of the Grand Lodge of England, the rituals of many of these Lodges had variations that often were loved and held in high regard by their members. In an effort to preserve what they felt were older and more authentic rituals than the Grand Lodge of England, they formed their own Grand Lodge, which they called “The Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons” according to the Old Constitutions, now simply known as the “Ancients” (then, often written as “Antients”). EVOLUTION OF THE LODGES As Grand Lodges formed in the United Kingdom to solidify the organization of preexisting Lodges of Masons, and Charter new ones as well, so too they sprang up across Europe and the world. During the Colonial American period, Grand Lodges often planted or influenced the formation of new Grand Lodges in the United States.

These likewise cross pollinated, forming different styles of Freemasonry in what eventually would become the various states of the newly formed United States of America. Thus, to this day, each state, under its own sovereign Grand Lodge, often exhibits a combination of different traditions in their rituals and constitutions, resulting in slight, but usually insignificant discrepancies in ceremonial order, ritual wording, terminology, and nuances of their respective Grand Lodge organizations. Most of the Grand Lodges of the United States were formed during the age of expansion from the original 13 colonies to the creation of new Lodges as new States were brought into the union. Oftentimes, Grand Lodges would be formed over territories, and then subsequently broken up as territories were then divided into states, thus forming new Grand Lodges whose Jurisdictions corresponded to state borders. The same is true in Canada, and in most parts of the Commonwealth. As an illustration of the mixing and matching, this photo is taken from a a self-published Masonic book entitled “From Whence Came We” By George B. Clark, written in 1941. It illustrates how most states are descendants from not just one colonial mother Grand Lodge, but are actually a mixture of previous Grand Lodges.

CONCORDANT BODIES Concordant bodies of Freemasonry are organizations that are affiliated with Freemasonry, and often require their members to be Master Masons before joining. Their creation, evolution and spread followed in the wake of the British, French and Spanish empires as Freemasonry spread across the globe, as well as tangentially — as new Grand Lodges of Freemasonry were established around the world. Each Concordant body enjoys its own rich history, traditions, ceremonies, and missions. YORK RITE The York Rite is a collection of Concordant bodies that originally had evolved independently. The result is a coalition of successive bodies, through which one advances by going through the degrees of one body before being eligible to join the next, in the following order: Royal Arch 20TH CENTURY The 20th century saw two large phases of growth of Freemasonry, followed by a steady decline. The cause of these trends has been a topic of debate by our membership over the last twenty years. Due in part to the institutionalized nature of Freemasonry, it was made popular as a networking organization for male community leaders after the turn of the last century.

It was a place where men of every class could speak to each other as equals with the understanding of common values and commitments to themselves, their country, and their neighbor. After World War II, there was a second surge in Lodge membership, because it helped maintain the types of brotherly relationships they had built during the war. While this was the largest boom for the Fraternity, it also carried with it the seeds of its steady decline in popularity over the next several decades. The Freemasons who were WWII veterans tended to be single-minded during the post-war boom in the USA, particularly during the 1950s, which meant that it increasingly came to be viewed as being in alignment with the “establishment,” (if not “the Establishment” itself) and as an organization of white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant males. In retrospect, it appears that the collective euphoria of enjoying massive numbers of members had the unintended consequence of watering down the depth and importance of Masonic ritual. At the same time, the lesser importance of ritual resulted in a lack of depth in relationships, a desire for study and commitment to the Enlightenment values which had nourished the evolution and spread of modern Freemasonry.

This reacted with the culture of the 1960s very poorly, when anti-establishment was the trend, and Freemasonry was on the wrong side of youth. The perceptions that most young people (of draft age) held regarding traditional institutions of all kinds were at odds with those held by their parents – a situation that was dubbed the “generation gap.” Young people at that time saw Freemasonry — and Freemasons (often their fathers and uncles, of course) as part, if not often even the cause, of the countries conflicts which they sought to address, whether by peaceful civil disobedience or violent protest. Whereas normally the Fraternity had been passed on from Father to son, laden with values that actually had many roots in the rebellions of the 18th century that led to the American and French revolutions, an entire generation of Americans opted out of Freemasonry for what they saw as more effective, if not more progressive movements. Due to the Baby Boomers’ lack of interest in Freemasonry, the numbers greatly diminished across the country in the period of 1970-2000 as the WWII and Korean War veterans slowly died off.

The initial lack of popularity of Freemasonry grew into lack of familiarity and eventually, many young people did not even know that Freemasonry existed. Ironically, this vacuum proved to be fertile ground for the Renaissance of Freemasonry in the late 1990s – a trend that is continuing as we approach the third decade of the 21st century. MODERN RENAISSANCE The last two decades have witnessed an amazing, organic surge in the interest that (now!) young Millennials have in Freemasonry. Many of them attribute popular culture for their interest, but most find the Craft as a way to connect more deeply with themselves and others by exploring the ancient Craft. Many Masons of all ages see this trend as the rebirth of the Fraternity because, in a very significant way, whereas in the past, young men are not simply picking up where their fathers left off — by going where their fathers lead them — but instead, most are walking into Lodges on their own. Freemasonry is particularly growing in urban areas where Millennials are flocking in droves attracted by technology jobs to major urban centers. The ironic bit is that it’s the authenticity, the bonding of ritual and genuineness of relationships that attract them most.

What is not ironic is that this trend “rhymes” with the way Freemasonry expanded in the colonial period, when it found fertile ground for growth in thriving seaboard cities that attracted young tradesmen and other professional and educated men to the burgeoning mercantilism of international commerce and eventually the industrial revolution. Stories in the LA Times and NPR elaborate on this modern renaissance of Freemasonry. The idea of self, is something that many Millennials find themselves in constant flux about. A Millennials’ brain is so shaped by technology that identity is something that is always in flux; as such, everyone is on a constant journey of self discovery. Essentially, this is the idea of Freemasonry, that we are all on a journey of self-becoming, and that the friendships we make help determine who we become. Thus, in a very real way, the growth seen in the past two decades is a result of Freemasonry being able, because of the changes in society — which emerge from changes in technology — to return to its true purpose, building relationships between men who share values, allowing them to live and work in brotherhood, and live more enriched lives.

As ever, but in ways that are new, Freemasonry brings men together who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance. Premier Grand Lodge of England - Metapedia Premier Grand Lodge of England From Metapedia Jump to: navigation , search This section or article contains text from Wikipedia which has not yet been processed. It is thus likely to contain material which does not comply with the Metapedia guide lines . You can help Metapedia by editing the article and cleaning it from bias and inappropriate wordings. Masonic Bodies Masonic DeMolay · A.J.E.F.

· Job's Daughters · International Order of the Rainbow for Girls Views of Masonry Anti-Masonry · Anti-Masonic Party · Anti-Freemason Exhibition · Christianity and Freemasonry · Catholicism and Freemasonry · Suppression of Freemasonry · Masonic conspiracy theories · Taxil hoax People and Places Masonic Temple · James Anderson · Albert Mackey · Albert Pike · Prince Hall · John the Evangelist · John the Baptist · William Schaw · Elizabeth Aldworth · List of Freemasons · Lodge Mother Kilwinning · Freemasons' Hall, London · House of the Temple · Solomon's Temple · Detroit Masonic Temple · List of Masonic buildings Other related articles This box: view • talk • edit The Premier Grand Lodge of England was founded on 24 June 1717 as the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster and it existed until 1813 when it united with the Ancient Grand Lodge of England to create the United Grand Lodge of England . It was the first Masonic Grand Lodge to be created. The basic principles of the Grand Lodge of England were inspired by the ideal of tolerance and universal understanding of the Enlightenment and by the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century.

Contents 6 Sources History The Grand Lodge was founded shortly after George I , the first Hanoverian king of the Kingdom of Great Britain , ascended to the throne on 1 August 1714 and the end of the first Jacobite rising of 1715. [1] Officially, the Grand Lodge of England was founded in London on St. John the Baptist 's day, 24 June 1717, when four existing Lodges gathered at the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house in St. Paul's Church-yard in London and constituted themselves a Grand Lodge. The four lodges had previously met together in 1716 at the Apple-Tree Tavern, "and having put into the Chair the oldest Master Mason (now the Master of a Lodge), they constituted themselves a Grand Lodge pro Tempore in due form." It was at that meeting in 1716 that they resolved to hold the Annual Assembly and Feast and then choose a Grand Master from among themselves, which they did the following year. 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. [2] [3] During the early decades of the Grand Lodge it was not the "Grand Lodge of England," either by function, in name on in the minds of its members. Rather, it limited its scope to lodges in London and Westminster, a restriction that also applied to the old London Masons' Company. [4] Constitution George Payne , in his second term as Grand Master in 1720, wrote the General Regulations of a Free Mason , which were printed in 1722/3 [5] .

In 1723 the Grand Lodge of England set up a constitution for Free and Accepted Masons The Constitutions of the Free-Masons containing the History, Charges, Regulations, & of that most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity: For use of the Lodges , written by the Revd. Dr. James Anderson (1680–1739). A reworked version of the Constitutions was published in 1738 (by Anderson) and again in 1818 after the union of Ancients' Grand Lodge and the Moderns Grand Lodge. Grand Masters

Question: What was the name of the tavern in London where the Masonic Grand Lodge of England was founded in the 18th Century?
Answer: Goose and Gridiron