Premier Grand Lodge of England
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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.
Officially, the Grand Lodge of England was founded on St. John the Baptist
's day, 24 June 1717, in London, when four Craft 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. The four participating lodges were accustomed to meeting 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 near Drury Lane; the Apple-Tree Tavern in Charles Street, Covent Garden
(Lodge now called Lodge of Fortitude and Old Cumberland No. 12); and at the Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Channel Row, Westminster (Lodge now called Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No. IV). The Rummer and Grapes appears to have been a lodge of accepted and speculative masons, while the other three lodges were still mainly operative lodges.
During the early decades of the Grand Lodge it was not the "Grand Lodge of England," either in name on in the minds of its members. Rather, it limited its jurisdiction to lodges in London and Westminster. This was a restriction that had applied to the old London Masons' Company.
, who was succeeded by George Payne esq. in 1718. The Grand Masters John Theophilus Desaguliers
and John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu
were Fellows of the Royal Society
.
United Grand Lodge of England
The United Grand Lodge of England is the main governing body of freemasonry within England and Wales and in other, predominantly ex-British Empire and Commonwealth countries outside the United Kingdom. It is the oldest Grand Lodge in the world, deriving its origin from 1717...
. It was the first Masonic
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
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
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
and by the Scientific Revolution
Scientific revolution
The Scientific Revolution is an era associated primarily with the 16th and 17th centuries during which new ideas and knowledge in physics, astronomy, biology, medicine and chemistry transformed medieval and ancient views of nature and laid the foundations for modern science...
of the 17th century.
History
The Grand Lodge was founded after George IGeorge I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
, the first Hanoverian
House of Hanover
The House of Hanover is a deposed German royal dynasty which has ruled the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
king of the Kingdom of Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
, ascended to the throne on 1 August 1714 and the end of the first Jacobite rising
Jacobite rising
The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in Great Britain and Ireland occurring between 1688 and 1746. The uprisings were aimed at returning James VII of Scotland and II of England, and later his descendants of the House of Stuart, to the throne after he was deposed by...
of 1715.
Officially, the Grand Lodge of England was founded on St. John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
's day, 24 June 1717, in London, when four Craft 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. The four participating lodges were accustomed to meeting 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 near Drury Lane; the Apple-Tree Tavern in Charles Street, Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
(Lodge now called Lodge of Fortitude and Old Cumberland No. 12); and at the Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Channel Row, Westminster (Lodge now called Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No. IV). The Rummer and Grapes appears to have been a lodge of accepted and speculative masons, while the other three lodges were still mainly operative lodges.
During the early decades of the Grand Lodge it was not the "Grand Lodge of England," either in name on in the minds of its members. Rather, it limited its jurisdiction to lodges in London and Westminster. This was a restriction that had applied to the old London Masons' Company.
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. 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
The first Grand Master was Mr. Anthony SayerAnthony Sayer
Anthony Sayer . On 24 June 1717 , at the formation of the first Premier Grand Lodge of England of freemasons at London, the members present elected as their first Grand Master "Antony Sayer, Gentleman," "about whom less definite information is known than any of his successors in that high office."...
, who was succeeded by George Payne esq. in 1718. The Grand Masters John Theophilus Desaguliers
John Theophilus Desaguliers
John Theophilus Desaguliers was a natural philosopher born in France. He was a member of the Royal Society of London beginning 29 July 1714. He was presented with the Royal Society's highest honour, the Copley Medal, in 1734, 1736 and 1741, with the 1741 award being for his discovery of the...
and John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu
John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu
John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu, KG, KB, PC , styled Viscount Monthermer until 1705 and Marquess of Monthermer between 1705 and 1709, was a British peer...
were Fellows of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
.
- 1717, Anthony SayerAnthony SayerAnthony Sayer . On 24 June 1717 , at the formation of the first Premier Grand Lodge of England of freemasons at London, the members present elected as their first Grand Master "Antony Sayer, Gentleman," "about whom less definite information is known than any of his successors in that high office."...
- 1718, George Payne
- 1719, John Theophilus DesaguliersJohn Theophilus DesaguliersJohn Theophilus Desaguliers was a natural philosopher born in France. He was a member of the Royal Society of London beginning 29 July 1714. He was presented with the Royal Society's highest honour, the Copley Medal, in 1734, 1736 and 1741, with the 1741 award being for his discovery of the...
- 1720, George Payne
- 1721–1723, John Montagu, 2nd Duke of MontaguJohn Montagu, 2nd Duke of MontaguJohn Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu, KG, KB, PC , styled Viscount Monthermer until 1705 and Marquess of Monthermer between 1705 and 1709, was a British peer...
- 1723, Philip Wharton, 1st Duke of WhartonPhilip Wharton, 1st Duke of WhartonPhilip Wharton, 1st Duke of Wharton , powerful Jacobite politician, notorious libertine and rake, profligate, and alcoholic, was one of the few people in English history, and the first since the 15th century, to have been raised to a Dukedom whilst still a minor and not closely related to the...
- 1723–1724 Francis Scott, 2nd Duke of BuccleuchFrancis Scott, 2nd Duke of BuccleuchFrancis Scott, 2nd Duke of Buccleuch KT FRS was a Scottish nobleman.-Biography:He was the son of Sir James Scott, Earl of Dalkeith and Lady Henrietta Hyde, daughter of Laurence Hyde, 1st Earl of Rochester. He was baptised on 20 January 1694/95 in St...
- 1724 Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of RichmondCharles Lennox, 2nd Duke of RichmondThe 2nd Duke of Richmond has been described as early cricket's greatest patron. Although he had played cricket as a boy, his real involvement began after he succeeded to the dukedom...
- 1725, James Hamilton, Lord PaisleyJames Hamilton, 7th Earl of AbercornJames Hamilton, 7th Earl of Abercorn FRS PC was a Scottish and Irish nobleman, the son of James Hamilton, 6th Earl of Abercorn and Elizabeth Reading. He was styled Lord Paisley from 1701 until his accession in 1734...
- 1726, William O'Brian, Earl of InchiquinWilliam O'Brien, 4th Earl of InchiquinWilliam McWilliam O'Brien, 4th Earl of Inchiquin, KB, PC was an Irish peer and politician.-Background:O'Brien was the eldest son of William O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Inchiquin and his wife, Mary , sister of the 1st Earl of Jersey, and inherited his father's titles in 1719.-Political career:Inchiquin...
- 1727, Lord Colerane
- 1728, Lord Kingston
- 1730, Duke of NorfolkThomas Howard, 8th Duke of NorfolkThomas Howard, 8th Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal was the son of Lord Thomas Howard and Mary Elizabeth Savile. Upon his uncle's death, he gained the title of 17th Baron Furnivall and 8th Duke of Norfolk...
- 1731, Lord LovellThomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester (fifth creation)Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, KB was a wealthy English land-owner and patron of the arts. He is particularly noted for commissioning the design and construction of Holkham Hall in north Norfolk. Between 1722 and 1728, he was Member of Parliament for Norfolk.He was the son of Edward Coke ...
- 1732, Lord Viscount Montague
- 1733, Earl of StrathmoreJames Lyon, 7th Earl of Strathmore and KinghorneJames Lyon, 7th Earl of Strathmore was a Scottish peer and freemason.He was the son of John Lyon, 4th Earl of Strathmore and Lady Elizabeth Stanhope....
- 1734, Earl of CrawfordJohn Lindsay, 20th Earl of CrawfordLieutenant-General John Lindsay, 20th Earl of Crawford was a Scottish peer and the first colonel of the Black Watch on its formation in 1739.He was the son of Lt.-Gen...
- 1735, Lord WeymouthThomas Thynne, 2nd Viscount WeymouthThomas Thynne, 2nd Viscount Weymouth was an English peer, descended from the first Sir John Thynne of Longleat House.Thomas Thynne was born posthumously on 21 May 1710, the son of another Thomas Thynne and his wife Lady Mary Villiers....
- 1736, Earl of LoudounJohn Campbell, 4th Earl of LoudounMajor-General John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun was a British nobleman and army officer.-Early career:Campbell inherited the peerage on the death of his father in 1731, becoming Lord Loudoun. The earl raised a regiment of infantry that took part in the Jacobite Rising of 1745 on the side of the...
- 1737, Earl of DarnleyEdward Bligh, 2nd Earl of DarnleyEdward Bligh, 2nd Earl of Darnley was an English peer.He was educated at Westminster and at Geneva. He succeeded his mother to become Baron Clifton in 1722 and, in 1728, succeeded his father as Earl of Darnley....
- 1738, Marquis of CarnarvonHenry Brydges, 2nd Duke of ChandosHenry Brydges, 2nd Duke of Chandos, MP , known from 1727 to 1744 by his courtesy title Marquess of Carnarvon, was the second son of James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos PC and his first wife Mary Lake...
- 1739, Lord Raymond
- 1740, Earl of Kintore
- 1741, Earl of MortonJames Douglas, 14th Earl of MortonJames Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton KT FRS was a Scottish astronomer and representative peer who was President of the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh from its foundation in 1737 until his death...
- 1742–1744, Lord WardJohn Ward, 1st Viscount Dudley and WardJohn Ward, 1st Viscount Dudley and Ward , known as John Ward until 1740 and as the 6th Baron Ward from 1740 to 1763, was a British peer and politician....
- 1745–1747, Lord Cranston
- 1747–1752, William Byron, 5th Baron ByronWilliam Byron, 5th Baron ByronWilliam Byron, 5th Baron Byron , also known as "the Wicked Lord" and "the Devil Byron", was the poet George Gordon Byron's great uncle. He was the son of William Byron, 4th Baron Byron and his wife Hon...
- 1752–1753, Lord CarysfortJohn Proby, 1st Baron CarysfortJohn Proby, 1st Baron Carysfort KB PC was a British Whig politician.Carysfort was the son of John Proby, of Elton Hall, Huntingdonshire, and his wife Jane, daughter of John Leveson-Gower, 1st Baron Gower, and was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge...
- 1754–1757, Marquis of CarnarvonJames Brydges, 3rd Duke of ChandosJames Brydges, 3rd Duke of Chandos PC , styled Marquess of Carnarvon from 1744 to 1771, was a British peer and politician.-Background:...
- 1757–1762, Lord AberdourSholto Douglas, 15th Earl of MortonSholto Charles Douglas, 15th Earl of Morton was the son of James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton.In February 1754 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society...
- 1762–1764, Earl FerrersWashington Shirley, 5th Earl FerrersVice Admiral Washington Shirley, 5th Earl Ferrers, FRS was a British Royal Navy officer, peer, freemason and amateur astronomer.-Biography:...
- 1764–1767, Lord Blaney
- 1767–1772, Duke of BeaufortHenry Somerset, 5th Duke of BeaufortHenry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort KG was the only son of Charles Noel Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort and his wife, Elizabeth Berkeley. Styled Marquess of Worcester from 1746, on his father's death on 28 October 1756, he succeeded him as Duke of Beaufort.He succeeded to the title of 13th Lord...
- 1772–1777, Lord PetreRobert Edward Petre, 9th Baron PetreRobert Edward Petre, 9th Baron Petre was a British peer.Lord Petre was the son of Robert Petre, 8th Baron Petre , a renowned horticulturist, and Lady Henrietta Anna Mary Barbara Radclyffe , daughter of the 3rd Earl of Derwentwater who was the grandson of Charles II by his mistress Moll Davis.Lord...
- 1777–1782, Duke of ManchesterGeorge Montagu, 4th Duke of ManchesterGeorge Montagu, 4th Duke of Manchester PC was a British politician and diplomat.Manchester was the son of Robert Montagu, 3rd Duke of Manchester....
- 1782–1790, Duke of Cumberland
- 1792–1812, Prince of WalesGeorge IV of the United KingdomGeorge IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
- 1790–1812 Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Earl of MoiraFrancis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of HastingsFrancis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings KG PC , styled The Honourable Francis Rawdon from birth until 1762 and as The Lord Rawdon between 1762 and 1783 and known as The Earl of Moira between 1793 and 1816, was an Irish-British politician and military officer who served as...
(Acting Grand Master) - 1813, Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexPrince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexThe Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex , was the sixth son of George III of the United Kingdom and his consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.- Early life :His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus...