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Loading...Chronological History of Freemasonry
| 967 BC | Building of King Solomon’s Temple commenced |
| 960 BC | King Solomon’s Temple completed |
| 587 BC | King Solomon’s Temple is destroyed |
| 290 BC | Roman operative masons ; Severus ; Severianus ; Carpophorus & Victorius are put to death for refusing to pay homage to a Pagan God and become known as “The Four Crowned Martyrs” and giving the Quatuor Coronati Lodge #2076 UGLE its name. |
| 926 | Prince Edwin, son of King Athelstan, calls and presides over a meeting of Masons at York, England. |
| 1136 | Masons “Marks” found in Melrose Abbey Church |
| 1215 | The Magna Carta is signed by King John, establishing some rights for free & bonded men. |
| 1278 | The use of the word “Lodge” appears in the records of Vale Royal Abbey |
| 1306 | Knights Templar persecuted by Philip the Fair |
| 1314 | Battle of Bannockburn and the Legend of the Mystery Knights in Battle |
| 1350 | The “Statute of Labourers” is passed regulating the wages of workmen. It also prevents the escalation of wages due to the shortage of experienced workers and the great amount of construction work available . The words “mason” and “freestone” appear in this document. |
| 1348/50 | Black Death experienced in all of Western Europe |
| 1356 | “London Mason’s Regulations” are enacted which regulates the building trades & notes apprentices. |
| 1390 circa | Regius Manuscript also known as the Halliwell Manuscript==the Old Charges |
| 1400 | The inventory of the Mason’s Lodge at York Minster contains two Tracing Boards |
| 1420 circa | Cooke Manuscript ==the Old Charges |
| 1429 | “Masons of the Lodge” is mentioned in the records of Canterbury Cathedral |
| 1463 | The Worshipful Company of Masons of the City of London erects its first meeting hall. |
| 1471 | Robert Stowell is appointed “Master of Masons” at Westminster Abbey |
| 1475 | Edinburgh Deal of Cause/ Incorporation of St Mary’s Chapel |
| 1479 | The term “Master Mason” appears in the name of William Orchard at Magdalen College, Oxford. |
| 1483 | Reference to Lodge at Aberdeen |
| 1485 – 1509 | Reign of Henry VII of England |
| 1487 | The word “Freemason” appears for the first time in the “Statutes of England” |
| 1491 | First reference to Lodge at Edinburgh.
A Municipal Law is passed at St Giles, Edinburgh, establishing the conditions of employment of Master Masons and co-workers |
| 1509 – 1547 | Reign of Henry VIII of England |
| 1509 | Commencement of the separation of Church & State in England and the move from Roman Catholicism To Church of England |
| 1534 | The “Act of Supremacy” is passed abrogating the Pope’s authority and making Henry V111 the head of the Church of England |
| 1538 | Roman Catholic Monasteries in England are looted & sacked |
| 1547 | The Act disendowing all religious Fraternities is passed & enacted |
| 1547 – 1553 | Reign of Edward VI of England |
| 1553 – 1558 | Reign of Mary of England. Sometimes referred to as “Mary Queen of Scots” & “Bloody Mary” as she
Worked very hard to restore Papal Power to England and had many burned at the stake for not sharing her ambitions. |
| 1558 – 1603 | Reign of Elizabeth I of England |
| 1567 – 1603 | Reign of James VI of Scotland
Champion of the Stuart claim to the Throne of England and advocated the return of Papal Powers to Great Britain |
| 1581 | The Masons’ Company is incorporated in Newcastle and given certain powers and duties. |
| 1583 | Grand Lodge #1 Manuscript ===The Old or “Antient Charges” are written |
| 1583 | William Schaw appointed “Master of the Works” in Scotland by James V1 |
| 1587 | Execution of Mary Queen of Scots |
| 1598 | Schaw Statutes No 1 Regulating the Masons in Scotland |
| 1599 | Schaw Statutes No 2 Regulating the Masons of Scotland BUT giving Lodge of Kilwinning supervisory powers of the Lodges in Western Scotland |
| 1599 | Earliest Edinburgh Lodge Minutes |
| 1600 | First record of the admission of a non-operative mason in a Lodge.
James Boswell of Auchinlek at Lodge Edinburgh Scotland |
| 1601 | First St Clair Charter (Scotland) |
| 1601 | Conflict between James V1 of Scotland and the St Clair family over control of Masonry in Scotland. |
| 1601 | James V1 of Scotland initiated into Lodge of Scoon & Perth. |
| 1603-1625 | Reign of James I of England who was also James VI of Scotland |
| 1605 | Guy Fawkes attempts to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London in support of the return of Roman Catholicism to England on November 5th, 1605 |
| 1609-1673 | Robert Moray born in Scotland |
| 1617-1692 | Elias Ashmole born in Lichfield England |
| 1621 | “Making of Masons” in London Mason’s Company. The records indicate that there were both “accepted” & “operative” members on the records |
| 1625 | Death of James 1 of England |
| 1625 – 1649 | Reign of Charles I |
| 1627 | England declares war on Spain |
| 1629 | English Parliament dissolved and tradition of “Black Rod” begins. |
| 1633 | John Stow, in his “Survey of London” mentions “The Company of Masons being otherwise termed “Freemasons” . This appears to be the first record of the use of the term “Freemason” since 1487 |
| 1634 | Lord Alexander of Stirling ; Sir Thomas Alexander and Sir Thomas Strachan are all made Masons at Lodge Edinburgh. |
| 1637 | Charles 1 forces the use of Episcopal Prayer Book on Scottish Churches |
| 1638 | Creation of “Covenantors” in Scotland to defy Charles 1 |
| 1639 | The First Bishops War begins. |
| 1640 | The Earl of Stafford is executed |
| 1641 | Sir Robert Moray is initiated by a group of Masons in a Scottish Regiment at Newcastle-on-Tyne on May 20, 1641. This is the first recorded & undisputed initiation. |
| 1642 | First Minutes of Record for Kilwinning Lodge Scotland |
| 1642-1646 | Start of the First English Civil War |
| 1642 | Battle of Edgehill |
| 1644 | Battle of Marston Moor |
| 1645 | Battle of Naseby |
| 1646 | Elias Ashmole Initiated at Warrington England on October 16th, 1646 and noted to be a “Freemason” at age 29 |
| 1646-1648 | Second English Civil War with the victor being Oliver Cromwell |
| 1647 | The King in custody |
| Trial and subsequent execution of the King Charles I | |
| 1649 – 1660 | The Commonwealth is established under Oliver Cromwell |
| 1650 | The Harleian Manuscript is written about this date. |
| 1653 | Robert Moray uses a veiled reference to `Hiram Abiff `in a letter to Charles II |
| 1655 | The Company of Freemasons of the City of London changes its name to “The Company of Masons” one might reasonably ask WHY? |
| 1660 – 1685 | Reign of Charles II |
| 1660 | The Royal Society of London is formed |
| 1666 | The Great Fire of London |
| 1670 | The records (Minutes) of Lodge Aberdeen show that some members are operative and others are not. |
| 1672 circa | Rendel Holmes’s Lodge at Chester |
| 1676 | Accepted Masons mentioned in “Poor Robin’s Intelligence” |
| 1682 | Elias Ashmole’s diary records that he attended a Lodge meeting at Mason’s Hall in London |
| 1685 – 1688 | Reign of James II |
| 1686 | Society of Freemasons mentioned in Plot’s “Natural History of Staffordshire” and Aubrey’s “Natural History of Wiltshire” |
| 1688 | Society of Freemasons mentioned in Randal Holm’s “Academie of Armoury”
A Lodge of accepted Masons met at Trinity College Dublin Ireland. |
| 1689 – 1702 | Reign of William & Mary, & William III |
| 1690 | The Battle of the Boyne fought in Ireland between the Protestant forces of William & Mary and those of the Roman Catholic forces of James II. The victory of the Protestant forces in this battle defused the ambitions of James II to restore Roman Catholicism as the official religion in the British Isles. |
| 1691 | Aubrey’s date for Sir Christopher Wren’s initiation. |
| 1692 | Death of Elias Ashmole at age 75 |
| 1693 | York #4 Manuscript of Old Charges lists lodge members |
| 1696 | The Edinburgh Register House Manuscript states that Masons have “words” “grips” “signs” and “five points” |
| 1698 | An Anti-Masonic leaflet is printed in London |
| 1694 | James Anderson claims there are eight Lodges working in London. |
| 1702 – 1714 | Reign of Queen Anne |
| 1702 | The Minute Book of Haughfoot Lodge (England) commences on December 2nd. |
| 1705 | Scarborough Manuscript of Old Charges lists members at a Lodge at Scarborough. |
| First records of a Lodge at York | |
| 1707 | Act of Union of England and Scotland |
| 1709 | Freemasons modes of recognition mentioned in the “Tatler”. A popular newspaper of the day. |
| 1710 | George Gray made a Mason at Bedale, England |
| 1713 | York Lodge makes eighteen masons at Bradford England |
| 1714 – 1727 | Reign of George I |
| 1715 | Jacobite Rebellion in Scotland |
| 1716 | A meeting is held in The Apple Tree Tavern , London, to discuss the forming of a Grand Lodge |
| 1717 | Formation of the Grand Lodge of England by four London Lodges and the installation of Anthony Sayer as 1st Grand Master. |
| 1719 | Rev. Bro. John Theophilius Desaguliers installed as Grand Master |
| 1720-1791 | Laurence Dermott born in Ireland. |
| 1721 | 2nd Duke of Montagu installed as the First Grand Master of Noble Blood.
The Grand Lodge of England adopts a regulation that all regular Lodges are now required to obtain a Charter from the Grand Lodge of England |
| 1723 | First Edition of “Grand Lodge Constitutions” published by Rev. Dr. James Anderson. |
| William Cowper appointed as first Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge of England. | |
| First Grand Lodge of England Minutes taken | |
| First Registration of Members | |
| First confirmed Minute Book of a private Lodge | |
| 1725 | First mention of the Third Degree. (Hiramic Legend) |
| The Grand Lodge of Ireland is formed | |
| First Provincial Grand Masters appointed by Grand Lodge of England | |
| 1727 | Nathaniel Blackerby appointed Treasurer of Grand Lodge of England |
| 1728 | Lodges constituted in Gibraltar and India |
| 1730 | Pritchard’s “Masonry Dissected” published exposing Masonic Ritual |
| 1732 | First Military traveling Charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Ireland |
| 1734 | Grand Lodge of Scotland formed |
| 1737 | Frederick Lewis; Prince of Wales, initiated. First Royal Freemason |
| 1738 | Anderson’s 2nd Edition of the Constitution for the Grand Lodge of England |
| 1738 | Pope Clement XII issues his Papal Bull against membership in Freemasonry on April 28th
This is the first official edict by the Roman Catholic Church against the Craft. |
| 1741 | Earliest record of the existence of the Royal Order of Scotland, in London |
| 1743 | John Coustos is questioned and tortured by the Inquisition in Portugal because he is a Freemason |
| 1744 | First undisputed reference to the Holy Royal Arch in the publication “A Serious & Impartial Inquiry into the Cause of the Present Decay of Freemasonry in the Kingdom or Ireland” by Fiefield Dassingy. |
| 1746 | Laurence Dermott exalted into the Holy Royal Arch in Dublin Ireland |
| 1751 | The Antient Grand Lodge of England is formed on July 17th. in London. The formation of this NEW Grand Lodge was in protest to the changing of Masonic Secrets by the Grand Lodge of England.
This NEW Grand Lodge referred to itself as the “Antients” and the Grand Lodge of England as the “Moderns” Pope Benedict XIV issues his Papal Bull against Freemasonry on May 18th |
| 1752 | Laurence Dermott becomes Secretary of the Ancient Grand Lodge of England |
| 1753 | First extant (undisputed) minute in the making of Royal Arch Masons in the Lodge At Fredericksburg. Virginia |
| 1753 | Grand Lodge of “the old Institution founded” (Antients) sometimes referred to as “Atholl Masons” as their first Grand Master was Lord Atholl of Ireland. |
| 1754 | Thomas Dunkerley exalted as a Royal Arch Mason in his Lodge at Portsmouth England |
| 1756 | Jon Entick completely revises the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of England. (Moderns) |
| 1756 | Laurence Dermott publishes “Ahiman Rezon” which is the Constitutions of the Antient Grand Lodge of England. (Antients) |
| 1761 | Grand Lodge of All England revived at York England |
| 1762 | New printed exposures of Masonic Ritual begin to appear in England |
| 1766 | Grand and Royal Arch Chapter formed by Charter of Compact in England |
| 1768 | Grand Lodge of England begins registration of members |
| 1772 | William Preston publishes “Illustrations of Freemasonry” and goes through 17 Editions by 1861. |
| 1776 | Freemason’s Hall dedicated in London at Great Queen Street in London. |
| 1777 | First ENGLISH record of Masonic Knight Templar at Portsmouth England |
| 1779 | Grand Lodge “South of the River Trent” formed in London |
| 1788 | Royal Masonic Institution for Girls founded |
| 1790 | HRH. George, Prince of Wales, elected Grand Master |
| 1790 | First record of the Conferral of the Royal Ark Mariner at Bath |
| 1791 | Grand Conclave of Knights Templar formed by Dunkerley |
| 1798 | Royal Masonic Institution for Boys founded. |
| 1799 | Freemasonry excepted from the provisions under the “Unlawful Societies Act” |
| 1809 | Lodge of Promulgation warranted with the task of investigating the differences in ritual between the Antient & Modern Grand Lodges (by open debate) and seeking some form of resolution & compromise between these two Grand Lodges. |
| 1809 | Negotiations begin toward seeking a union of the TWO Grand Lodges. |
| 1813 | HRH Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, installed As Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England |
| 1813 | HRH Edward, Duke of Kent, installed as Grand Master of the Ancients Grand Lodge |
| 1813 | Union of Grand Lodge of England (moderns) & Antients Grand Lodge of England (Antients) completed to form the United Grand Lodge of England on December 27th |
| 1814 | An “International Compact” is signed by the United Grand Lodge of England; the Grand Lodge of Ireland & the Grand Lodge of Scotland, in which they all agree on the basic points of Freemasonry. |
| 1814 | Standard patterns for Regalia introduced |
| 1815 | UGLE presents a new Grand Lodge Book of Constitutions issued for discussion |
| 1816 | UGLE approves the New Ritual devised by The Lodge of Reconciliation. |
| 1816 | Supreme Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons in Scotland formed |
| 1817 | Supreme Grand Chapter of The Holy Royal Arch formed in England uniting Antients & Moderns into one common structure. |
| 1818 | HRH, the Duke of Sussex, receives a patent from France to form a Supreme Council of the Ancient
And Accepted Rite. |
| 1818 | William Preston author of “Illustrations on Freemasonry” and leaves a substantial legacy to fund
“The Prestonian Lectures” on Masonic Education for future generations. |
| 1819
|
Liverpool Rebellion leads to the formation of the Wigan Grand Lodge in 1823 and ceases to exist in 1866 |
| 1821 | Pope Pius VII issues a Papal Bull “Ecclesiam” against Freemasonry on Sept 13th |
| 1823 | The Irish Parliament passes the “Unlawful Oaths Act” which is directed at many organizations, however, 10 months later announces that it is not intended to cover Freemasonry |
| 1824 | King Ferdinand VII of Spain decrees the death of all Freemasons without trial. |
| 1825 | Pope Leo XII issues his Papal Bull “Quiograviora” against Freemasonry on March 13th |
| 1827 | Craft Installation of Officers ceremony agreed |
| 1829 | Pope Pius VIII issues hi Papal Bull “Traditi” against Freemasonry on May 21 |
| 1832 | Pope Gregory XVI issues his Papal Bull “Mirari” against Freemasonry on August 15th |
| 1834 | Special Committee formed to revise the Royal Arch Ritual |
| Chapter of Promulgation chartered | |
| 1836 | Grand Lodge of Scotland issues its first Book of Constitutions since its formation1734 |
| 1837 | United Grand Lodge of England Grand Lodge Library & Museum formed |
| 1838 | UGLE ==Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution formed |
| 1839 | James Halliwell discovers the Regis Manuscript in the British Museum |
| 1845 | Grand Conclave of Knights Templar revived. |
| 1845 | Supreme Council, Ancient & Accepted Rite formed |
| 1846 | Pope Pius IX issues his Papal Bull “Qui Fluribis” against Freemasonry on Nov 9th. |
| 1849 | Pope Pius IX issues another Papal Bull “Quibus quanhtisque Malis” against Freemasonry on Apr 20th |
| Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons formed. | |
| Ontario Lodges (Canada) withdraw from United Grand Lodge of England to form First Independent Colonial Grand Lodge | |
| 1861 | J.G. Fidel publishes Ä History of Freemasonry” First edition appears in 1865 |
| 1864 | Pope Pius IX issues his Papal Bull “Quanta Cura” against Freemasonry on Dec8th |
| 1865 | Societas Rosicrusiana in Anglia formed |
| Grand Council of Red Cross of Constantine formed | |
| Pope Pius IX issues his Papal Bull “Multiplires Intern” against Freemasonry on Sept 25th | |
| 1869 | New Freemason’s Hall London opened |
| Pope Pius IX issues his Papal Bull “Apostolicae Sedis” against Freemasonry on Oct 12th | |
| 1872 | Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters formed |
| 1873 | Pope Pius 1X issues his Papal Decree “Esti Multa” against Freemasonry on Nov 21st |
| 1874 | Marques of Ripon resigns as Grand Master on becoming a Roman Catholic |
| HRH Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, elected Grand Master | |
| 1879 | Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees formed |
| 1880 | Gould’s “History of Freemasonry” is published |
| 1884 | Pope Leo XIII issues his Papal Decree “Humanum Genus” against Freemasonry.
This is the last Papal Decree directed against Freemasonry. Over a period of 146 Years 13 Papal Bulls were issued against Freemasonry |
| 1886 | Quatuor Coronati (The Four Crowned Martyrs) (Refer 290BC) Lodge #2076 United Grand Lodge of England is constituted and becomes, to this day, the premier Masonic Research Lodge in the World.
Its First “Transactions” were published in 1888 and yearly since that date. |
| 1887 | Especial Grand Lodge held to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria |
| Grand Council of Order of the Secret Monitor formed | |
| 1894 | Pope Leo XIII establishes an Anti-Masonic Bureau |
| 1897 | Especial Grand Lodge held to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria |
| 1898 | Albert G. Mackey publishes his “History of Freemasonry; Symbolism of Freemasonry ; Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite & Encyclopedia and the Royal Order of Scotland.” |
| 1901 | Edward V11 becomes Grand Protector of the Order |
| 1908 | Albert G. Mackey publishes “Lexicon of Freemasonry” |
| HRH Arthur, Duke of Connaught, installed as Grand Master | |
| 1913 | Worshipful Society of Free Masons; Wallers; Slaters; Paviours; Plaisterers and Bricklayers (the operatives) formed |
| 1914 | Commencement of the First World War |
| 1914 | Bro. Rev. Joseph Ford Newton writes “The Builders” This book is still very popular today |
| 1917 | Albert G. Mackey publishes an Encyclopedia of Freemasonry & its Kindred Sciences. |
| 1917 | Bicentenary of United Grand Lodge celebrated |
| 1918 | Armistice reached ending the First World War |
| 1923 | Grand Council of Knight Templar Priests formed |
| 1923 | Grand Fascist Council issues its first resolution against Freemasonry (Italy) |
| 1933 | Current Freemasons Hall dedicated |
| 1936 | King Edward V111 (HRH Duke of Windsor) elected as a Past Grand Master UGLE |
| 1938 | King George V1 elected as a Past Grand Master UGLE |
| Knoop Jones & Hamer publish “The Two earliest Masonic Manuscripts”
Knoop Jones & Hamer publish “An Introduction to Freemasonry” |
|
| 1939 | HRH Duke of Connaught resigns as Grand Master of UGLE |
| HRH George, Duke of Kent, Installed as Grand Master of UGLE | |
| Temporary suspension of meetings due to declaration of war | |
| 1940 | Knoop & Jones publish “A Short History of Freemasonry to 1730″ |
| 1942 | Earl of Harewood installed as Grand Master by King George V1 |
| 1947 | Knoop & Jones publish “The Geneses of Freemasonry” |
| 1950 | Bernard E. Jones publishes ” A Freemason’s Guide and Compendium” |
| 1952 | Earl of Scarbrough installed as Grand Master of UGLE |
| 1954 | Pick & Knight publish ” The Pocket History of Freemasonry” |
| 1956 | Feb 23rd Issue of the “Christian Science Monitor” publishes a long favourable article on Freemasonry
The Oct 8th Issue of “Life” magazine is devoted entirely to Freemasonry The High Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church petitions the Greek Minister of the Interior to withdraw government recognition of Freemasonry. |
| 1957 | A court in England rules that Freemasonry in not a Religion.
Bernard E. Jones publishes ” The Freemason’s Book on the Holy Royal Arch” |
| 1964 | Dec 29th. Bishop Mendez Arceo of Mexico expresses his view at Vatican II that Roman Catholics should make peace with the Freemasons of the World.
Alec Mellor (a Roman Catholic) publishes “Our Separate Brethren- The Freemasons” He later becomes a member of the Craft. Discussions held in England as to whether to modify the ancient penalties of the Craft Degrees. |
| 1966 | Bi-Centenary of Supreme Grand Chapter celebrated |
| 1967 | 250th Anniversary of United Grand Lodge of England celebrated and publishes “Grand Lodge 1717-1967″ |
| 1968 | Bro. Harry Carr meets with Cardinal Heenan on London on March 8th to discuss the relationship of Freemasonry and the Roman Catholic Church. As a result of these discussions “Anti-Masonic” tracts are removed from sale in Roman Catholic Churches in London. |
| 1971 | Bro. Harry Carr has several more conferences with Cardinal Heenan. This leads to friendly relationship developing between the Craft and the Roman Catholic Church.
On April 26th it is rumoured that the Roman Catholic Church is about to change its rule about barring Masonic membership to its members. |
| 1974 | The Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (as the Roman Inquisition was renamed by the Pope in 1965) sends a letter to the various Episcopal Conferences on June 19th informing them that Canan 2335 prohibiting its members from joining Freemasonry is to be interpreted to apply to such groups as opposed to Church. |
| 1974 | HRH Edward, Duke of Kent, installed as Grand Master of the UGLE |
| 1976 | Bro Harry Carr publishes ” A Freemason at Work” |
| 1979 | Pope John Paul II visits Chicago while the Grand Lodge of Illinois is in session. The Grand Master & Grand Wardens , by special invitation, are invited to attend a Mass conducted by the Pope in Grant Park. Chicago. |
| 1986 | Removal of physical penalties from the obligations approved by United Grand Lodge of England. |
| 1989 | Major revision of the Royal Arch ritual approved by Supreme Grand Chapter |
| Annual Assembly of Royal Mark Mariners revived | |
| 1991 | Bi-centenary of Great Priory celebrated |
| 1992 | 275th Anniversary of Grand Lodge |
| 25th Anniversary of HRH Duke of Kent as Grand Master | |
| 40th Anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty the Queen celebrated by 12,500 Masons and their guests at Earl’s Court followed by a dinner for 4,000 |
