Frequently
Asked
Questions
1 / When did Freemasonry as we know, it begin
The questions of when, how, why and where Freemasonry originated are still the subject of intense speculation.
As we know it, Craft Freemasonry was formed on July 24th 1717 by the action of four existing Lodges that were accustomed to meeting at the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house in St. Paul’s Church-yard; Crown Ale-house in Parker’s Lane near Drury’s Lane; Apple Tree Tavern in Charles Street, Covent Garden; and Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Channel Row, Westminster. This was the founding of the Premier Grand Lodge, the first of its kind anywhere in the world and the origins of the United Grand Lodge of England.
By 1723 the new Grand Lodge had published its first rulebook – The Constitutions of the Free-Masons – written by a priest named James Anderson. The newly formed Grand Lodge was meeting quarterly and recording its meetings.
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1725 saw the formation of The Grand Lodge of Ireland.
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1726 saw the formation of The Grand Lodge of Scotland.
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By 1751 A rival Grand Lodge appeared in London with different practices. London Scottish and Irish Freemasons had formed a rival Grand Lodge. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Irish and Scottish freemasons in London didn't hold to the beliefs and practices of English freemasons. They established a separate Grand Lodge in 1751 and published their own constitutions, "Ahiman Rezon" in 1756, labelling the original Grand Lodge ‘Moderns’ and calling themselves ‘Antients’. The two rivals existed side by side – both at home and abroad – for nearly 63 years, neither recognising each other as regular.
The Antients (Ancients), as they quickly became known, believed themselves to be part of an older masonic tradition and criticised their rivals for modern innovations.
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In 1813 after nearly 63 years, the two Grand Lodges in England united on 27 December 1813 to form the United Grand Lodge of England. This union led to a great deal of standardisation of ritual, procedures and regalia.
2 / What does Freemasonry and the Knights Templar have to do with each other
The questions of when, how, why and where Freemasonry originated are still the subject of intense speculation. Much time, study and many publications have attempted to connect Freemasonry to the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon; known as the Knights Templar.
While it is acknowledged that other Rites of Freemasonry adopt aspects of medieval military orders including Knights Hospitaller, Knights of Malta and the Knights Templar, the official history of Craft Freemasonry takes us back to the dates in 1717 as mentioned above.
It is also acknowledged and recognised that the original London Lodges and other Lodges in many other locations could not have "sprung up" out of nowhere and practices such as supporting fellow "brothers" in times of distress and having recognised locations (Lodges) were such "relief" could be obtained are behaviours that are readily understood and available to organisations such as the Knights Templar.
As a result, many other Rites of Freemasonry incorporate and align may of their practices with these medieval military orders including but not limited to York Rite and Scottish Rite Freemasonry.
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3 / Can women become Freemasons
Only men aged over 18 are allowed to join the United Grand Lodge of England in England and Wales.
The two leading women’s Grand Lodges, that we have the closest relationship, with are: Freemasonry for Women and the Order of Women Freemasons. These two groups only admit women because that is the choice of their memberships. Both of the women’s organisations, and ourselves, prefer to practice our Freemasonry in single sex environments. The United Grand Lodge of England regularly hires its facilities out for meetings of the two women’s Lodges due to our mutual respect and close relations.
4 / Do you have to believe in God to become a Freemason
When becoming a Freemason, members are expected to be able to affirm a belief in a ‘Supreme Being’. This is deliberately phrased so as to be fully inclusive; most of our members generally believe in a God - be it Christian, Muslim, Sikh or Jewish etc - of some sort, and there is no requirement to be an active practitioner of any particular religion.
5 / What is meant by The Volume of the Sacred Law
The holy book of one’s prevailing faith and the Great Light in Freemasonry.
6 / Must all Masons be obligated on the Bible?
The primary requirement of a Freemason is a belief in a Supreme Being, whether He be called God or Allah or Jehovah or any of the names by which the Supreme Architect of the Universe may be designated. Hence a candidate for Freemasonry should be obligated on a book he considers to be a Volume of the Sacred Law of his religious faith, (e.g. Holy Bible, Torah, Koran).