How many Grand Lodges? Scotland has been fortunate in that we have had only one Grand Lodge since 1736 which is remarkable considering the number of fallouts in Scotland. The GL of Ireland has had two: the GL of Munster 1726—33 and the Grand East of Ulster 1805—14 (next month). England was not so fortunate. 1.
The Grand Lodge of England formed in 1717 (or 1721 depending on who is asked) had many rivals before the current United Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1813.
2.
The Grand Lodge of All England at York with a list of ‘presidents’ from 1705 in York only to become dormant in 1738. For more info on this GL see Cross Keys February 2019.
3.
The Antients’ Grand Lodge was formed in 1753 by a group of Irish brethren in direct opposition to the original which was then called ‘The Moderns’ as they felt it was losing some of the original practices and also because many unskilled Irish were not allowed in the London lodges.
4.
The Supreme Grand Lodge (1770—75) was formed due to a disagreement over a member not being made Junior Grand Lodge and so the lodge refused to pay fees, but with two other lodges for this new Grand Lodge. All three re-joined the Antient GL.
5.
The Grand Lodge of All England South of the River Trent was another disagreement, this time with The Lodge of Antiquity No.1 in 1777. Bro. William Preston (founded the Prestonian Lectures) was expelled from the Craft was wearing regalia after a procession to a tavern where the lodge would meet. Thankfully, common sense prevailed and this was uplifted and he served as Depute of the lodge under the master, the Duke of Sussex (Grand Master of the United GL).
6.
The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) was formed under the guidance of the Duke of Sussex in 1813 and is the current GL at London.
7.
The Grand Lodge at Wigan was formed in 1823 when 6 Lancashire lodges were erased from UGLE with 26 brethren being expelled for insubordination. These six lodges eventually rejoined, the last being 1913.
8.
The Grand Lodge of Stockport was believed to have been formed in the 1830s, but no actual records exist and it faded away by 1843.
9.
The Regular Grand Lodge of England is an irregular body established in 2005.
I have avoided grand lodges with female members of which a few exist today.
Cross Keys February 2021
