At the time of Christ, there exists in Palestine three religious sects - 
the
Essenes, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees. The Essenes 
are the strictest with a high moral code, a secret ceremony, and a great 
similarity in character to the Craft today. It is sometimes argued that 
Christ was a member of the Essenes in his formative years up to 
manhood when he commenced his general 
preaching. He never spoke 
against the Essenes, but did against the Pharisees and 
Sadducees . 
 
Upon the fall of the Roman Empire, many Collegia migrate to the island
of Como and preserve the Stonemasons' art. They later emerge as the
Comocine Builders to construct the many Cathedrals during the Middle 
ages from 500AD until 1390 AD. This subject is still very much debated. 
    | 926 AD | 
    
    Prince Edwin, son of King Athelstan, 
    calls and presides over
    a meeting of Masons at 
    York. | 
  
  
    | 1088 AD | 
    
    A group of organized operative stonemasons in Germany are
     in existence. They are called the Steinmetzen, 
    and some claim
     they are the precursors of 
    Freemasonry today. | 
  
  
    | 1136 AD | 
    
    
    Melrose Abbey Church is in the 
    process of construction. 
    Traveling Masons leave their 
    marks on some of the stones. | 
  
  
    | 1215 AD | 
    
    The 
    Magna Carta is 
    signed by King John, establishing some
     basic rights for free and 
    bonded men. | 
  
  
    | 1271 AD | 
    
    The 
    Compagnonnage of France has 
    been in existence for 
    several hundred years. Some 
    suggestions have been made they
    they are the foundation for 
    modern Freemasonry. | 
  
  
    | 1278 AD | 
    
    The use of the word "lodge" 
    appears in the records of the 
    Vale Royal Abbey. | 
  
  
    | 1350 AD | 
    
 The Statute of Labourers is passed. It regulates 
    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. In this statute the words "mason"
    and "freestone" appear.
     
    A Tracing House is in use at Windsor Castle. | 
  
  
    | 1356 AD | 
    
    London Mason's Regulations are enacted. This 
    regulates the
    building trades of the period. It contains no mention of
    
    organized  groups of 
    workers, but it does have the earliest
    records of apprenticeships. | 
  
  
    | 1360 AD | 
    
    13 Sheriffs are ordered by the 
    Crown to send 568 Masons
     to work on Windsor Castle. | 
  
  
    | 1370 AD | 
    
    The York Minster Mason's Ordinance is passed. It 
    is 
    written in Middle English and contains the words "Mason" and
    "Masoun". | 
  
  
    | 1375 AD | 
    
    The Masons' Company of London 
    is represented at the Court
    of Common Council. It must have 
    been in existence for some
    years to be entitled to this 
    representation. | 
  
  
    | 1376 AD | 
    
    The Freemason and Mason Company of London is in 
    
    existence, 
    probably as a craft Guild. 
     
    The first known use of the word "Freemason" is recorded in 
    
    the City of 
    London Letter Book H dated 9th August. The word
    is later stricken off and 
    replaced with the word "Mason". | 
  
  
    | 1390 AD | 
    
    The Regius Poem, or Manuscript, (also 
    known as the 
     Halliwell Manuscript) is written or copied from older 
    
    manuscripts. It is written in Middle English, and is said to be 
    
    based on the
    Instructions for a Parish Priest or Urbanitas, 
    a book of 
    instruction on deportment and hygiene. 
 | 
  
  
    | 1400 AD | 
    
    The inventory of the Masons' 
    Lodge at York Minster contains
    two Tracing Boards. | 
  
  
    | 1425 AD | 
    
    The Cooke Manuscript is written. It is the second 
    oldest of
    the extant ancient manuscripts of Freemasonry. 
 | 
  
  
    | 1429 AD | 
    
    "Masons of the Lodge" is 
    mentioned in the records of 
    Canterbury Cathedral. | 
  
  
    | 1430 AD | 
    
    An ordinance is enacted 
    confirming the ancient form and 
    custom of taking apprentices. | 
  
  
    | 1463 AD | 
    
    A Tracing House is in use at Westminster Abbey.
     
    The Worshipful Company of Masons of the City of London
    erects its first Meeting Hall. | 
  
  
    | 1471 AD | 
    
    Robert Stowell is appointed 
    Master of Masons at 
    Westminster Abbey. | 
  
  
    | 1479 AD | 
    
    The term "Master Mason" appears after the name of William
    Orchard at Magdalen College, Oxford. | 
  
  
    | 1487 AD | 
    
    The word "Freemason" appears 
    for the first time in the 
    Statutes of England. | 
  
  
    | 1491 AD | 
    
    A municipal law is passed at St 
    Giles, Edinburgh, establishing 
    the conditions of employment of 
    Master Masons and co-workers. | 
  
  
    | 1534 AD | 
    
    The Act of Supremacy 
    is passed abrogating the Pope's 
    authority and makes the King 
    (Henry VIII) the head of the
    Church of England. | 
  
  
    | 1539 AD | 
    Francis I of France attempts to stamp out all Craft 
    Guilds. | 
  
  
    | 1581 AD | 
    
    The Masons' Company is 
    incorporated at Newcastle and 
    given certain powers and duties.  | 
  
  
    | 1583 AD | 
    
    The Grand Lodge No 1 Manuscript is written. Now 
    in the 
    possession of the United Grand Lodge of England, this is the
    third 
    oldest of the existing Manuscripts relating to Freemasonry.  
    These manuscripts are now collectively known under various
    names (the Gothic 
    Constitutions, the Ancient Charges, the 
    York Constitutions, or the Old 
    Charges) and number over 110.
    Rather than repeat each one on this page, we 
    have compiled a
    separate listing of most of the Old Charges along with a few 
    
    notes of interest. 
  | 
  
  
    | 1598 AD | 
    
    William Schaw, who became Master of the Works in 
    
    Scotland 
    in 1584 AD, promulgated two sets of rules - the first
    (in 1598) regulating 
    the Masons of Scotland, the second 
    (in 1599) giving the Lodge of Kilwinning 
    (No 0, GL of 
    Scotland) supervisory powers over the Lodges of West 
    
    Scotland. 
    It also uses the term "Fellow of the Craft". 
 | 
  
  
    | 1600 AD | 
    
    The first record is made of the admission of a 
    non-operative
    Mason in a Lodge in Scotland. John Boswell, Laird of
    
    Auchinlech, becomes a member of Lodge Edinburgh. 
    The York Manuscript No 1, commonly called the York  
     Rolls (now in the 
    possession of York Lodge No 236) contains 
    the word "Freemason" | 
  
  
    | 1617 AD | 
    
    
   Elias Ashmole is born at 
    Litchfield in England. A famous 
    historian, he is remembered by 
    the Craft because of the entries
    in his diaries. | 
  
  
    | 1619 AD | 
    
    The Account Book of the London Masons' Company uses 
    
    the 
    term "Acception" as a description of some members. | 
  
  
    | 1621 AD | 
    
    The records of the Worshipful 
    Company of Freemasons of 
    London indicates that there were 
    "accepted" and "operative" 
    members. | 
  
  
    | 1633 AD | 
    
    John Stow, in his Survey of London, 
    mentions the "Company
    of Masons being otherwise termed 
    Freemasons". | 
  
  
    | 1634 AD | 
    
    Lord Alexander, Sir Anthony Alexander, and Sir Alexander 
    
    Strachan are all made Masons at the Lodge of Edinburgh. | 
  
  
    | 1641 AD | 
    
    
    Sir Robert Moray is initiated 
    by a group of Masons in a 
    Scottish regiment at 
    Newcastle-on-Tyne on 20th May. This is 
    the earliest recorded initiation. | 
  
  
    | 1642 AD | 
    
    The Minutes of Mother Kilwinning 
    Lodge go back to this
     year. | 
  
  
    | 1646 AD | 
    
    Elias Ashmole writes in his 
    diary that he was made a 
    "Freemason" on 16th October. | 
  
  
    | 1650 AD | 
    The 
    Harleian Manuscript is written about this 
    year.  | 
  
  
    | 1655 AD | 
    
    "The Company of Freemasons of 
    the City of London" 
    changes its name to "The Company 
    of Masons". | 
  
  
    | 1656 AD | 
    
    
    John Aubrey begins writing A Natural History of 
    Wiltshire
    in which he states that "the Fraternity of Free-Masons are 
    
    known to one another by certain signs and watch words, and 
    
    other significant 
    words", and also described them as "adopted
    masons" and "accepted masons". 
    His History is not published
    until 1847. | 
  
  
    | 1660 AD | 
    
    The Royal Society is founded in 
    London with many 
    Freemasons among its members. | 
  
  
    | 1668 AD | 
    
    The hall of the Worshipful 
    Company of Masons of London is
    rebuilt. It is believed that a 
    speculative Lodge met in this 
    building. | 
  
  
    | 1670 AD | 
    
    The records of Lodge Aberdeen 
    begin. They show that some
    members were speculative, and 
    others were operative. | 
  
  
    | 1680 AD | 
    
Dr James Anderson is born in Aberdeen, Scotland. | 
  
  
    | 1682 AD | 
    
    Elias Ashmole writes in his 
    diary that he attends a Lodge 
    meeting at Masons Hall, London. | 
  
  
    | 1683 AD | 
    
John Desaguliers is born in Rochelle, France. | 
  
  
    | 1686 AD | 
    
    Dr Robert Plot publishes his Natural History of 
     
    
     Staffordhire in which 
    he ridiculed the Society of Freemasons. 
    This gives some proof that a 
    symbolic Lodge was in existence 
    at this time. | 
  
  
    | 1688 AD | 
    
    A Lodge of accepted Masons met at Trinity College, Dublin,
    Ireland. 
    Randel Holme III (a Chester genealogist and antiquarian) 
    described an 
    association with members of the "Society called Freemasons". 
    The "Society of Freemasons" is mentioned in a satirical 
    speech in July at the 
    commencement of exercises of the 
    University of Dublin. | 
  
  
    | 1690 AD | 
    
    The records of the Lodge of Melrose, between this year and
    1695, use the term "fellowcraft" | 
  
  
    | 1696 AD | 
    
    The Edinburgh Register House 
    manuscript states that Masons
    have "words", "a grip", "signs", 
    and "five points". | 
  
  
    | 1698 AD | 
    
    An anti-Masonic leaflet is 
    published warning people against
    the "Freed Masons". | 
  
  
    | 1702 AD | 
    
    The Haughfoot Lodge minute book 
    commences on 2nd 
    December. | 
  
  
    | 1709 AD | 
    
Sir Richard Steel publishes and article in "The Tatler" 
    (a 
    famous paper of the day) 
    discussing certain people in which he
    says "They have their signs and 
    tokens like Free Masons" and 
    "They have some secret 
    intimations of each like Free Masons". | 
  
  
    | 1710 AD | 
    
    The Hon. Elizabeth St Ledger (the famous "Lady Mason") 
    
    who 
    was supposed to have eavesdropped at a Masonic
    initiation is given two 
    degrees. She later marries Richard
    Aldsworth and is also known under that 
    name. | 
  
  
    | 1716 AD | 
    
    A meeting is held in 
the Apple 
    Tree Tavern in Charles St 
    Covent Garden to discuss revival 
    of the Quarterly 
    Communications and an Annual 
    Assembly. | 
  
  
    | 1717 AD | 
    
    The first Grand Lodge is formed 
    on 24th June (St John the
    Baptist's Day) in London by four 
    Lodges meeting in the City of
    Westminster. The Grand Lodge of 
    England (GL of E) | 
  
  
    | 1719 AD | 
    
    Rev Bro John Theophilius Desaguliers 
    is elected Grand 
    Master of the GL of E. | 
  
  
    | 1721 AD | 
    
    John, Duke of Montagu, is elected Grand Master of the GL 
    
    of E. This election bought much publicity and prestige to the
    Craft. 
    On 24th June, the GL of E adopts a regulation that all regular 
    Lodges are required to secure a 
    Charter from the Grand Lodge. | 
  
  
    | 1723 AD | 
    
    Dr James Anderson publishes the first edition of The 
     
    
    
  Constitutions of the Free-Masons | 
  
  
    | 1724 AD | 
    
    The 
Gormogons, an anti-Masonic group, makes its first
    appearance. 
    The Committee of Charity formed by the GL of E. | 
  
  
    | 1725 AD | 
    
The Grand Lodge of Ireland is formed. (GL of I) | 
  
  
    | 1730 AD | 
    
    Prichard's Masonry Dissected is published. It is 
    the first
    expose of Masonic ritual, and is of great value in studying the
    development of rituals used today. 
    Martin Clare publishes his Defense of Freemasonry in 
    answer to 
    Prichard's book. 
    The Grand Secretary of the GL of I, John Pennell, publishes
    his version of 
    the Book of Constitutions. | 
  
  
    | 1732 AD | 
    The first 
    traveling military Lodge is formed by the GL of 
    I.  | 
  
  
    | 1733 AD | 
    
    Freemasonry appears in Italy, 
    and persecutions follow in the
    city of Florence. | 
  
  
    | 1734 AD | 
    
The Grand Lodge of Scotland is formed. (GL of S) | 
  
  
    | 1737 AD | 
    
    A Warrant is issued by Lord Derwentwater for the formation
    of a Lodge in Sweden. 
    On 6th September, the first Lodge meets in Germany. | 
  
  
    | 1738 AD | 
    
    Dr James Anderson publishes the second edition of The 
     
    
    Constitutions of the Free-Masons. 
    A new edition of Masonry Dissected is published by Prichard. 
    Pope Clement XII issues his Papal Bull 
In Eminenti on April 
    28th. This is the first official 
    edict of the Roman Catholic Church
    against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1739 AD | 
    
    Dr James Anderson dies. 
    A committee meets in London to discuss proposed changes 
    for Freemasonry.  
    This committee eventually developed into the Antient Grand Lodge. | 
  
  
    | 1740 AD | 
    Members of an English Lodge in Madrid are imprisoned. | 
  
  
    | 1741 AD | 
    
The Grand Lodge of Germany is formed. (GL of G) | 
  
  
    | 1743 AD | 
    
    Freemasonry is introduced into Denmark. A duly constituted 
    
    Lodge, however, does not meet until 25th December 1745 
    
    when a Warrant is 
    issued by the GL of E. 
    John Coustos is questioned and tortured by the Inquisition in
    Portugal because he is a 
    Freemason. | 
  
  
    | 1744 AD | 
    
    Fifield Dassigny publishes A 
    Serious and Impartial 
    Inquiry
     into the Cause of the Present Decay of Freemasonry in the  
    
     Kingdom of 
    Ireland. It contains the oldest printed reference to 
    Royal Arch Masonry. | 
  
  
    | 1746 AD | 
    
    John Coustos publishes The Sufferings of John Coustos 
    for Freemasonry, giving a first hand report of the methods of the 
    Inquisition.  | 
  
  
    | 1749 AD | 
    
    On 17th January, Joseph Torrubia 
    (a Roman Catholic priest
    living is Spain) secures 
    permission from the Pope to become a 
    Freemason so as to find out who 
    and what are Freemasons. As
    a result of his joining the Order 
    he complied a list of who 
    belonged to the Order.  | 
  
  
    | 1751 AD | 
    
    In March, Torrubia gives a list of 97 Lodges to the Grand 
    
    Inquisition, which caused the arrest and punishment of members
    by the 
    Inquisition.
    Pope Benedict XIV issues his Papal Bull Providas on May 
    
    18th, 
    against the Craft. 
    On 2nd July, King Ferdinand VI suppresses the Order in 
    Spain. 
    The Antient Grand Lodge of England (AGL of E) is formed 
    on 17th July. This was formally 
    called a "schism" of the 1717 
    GL of E. It is formed by a group 
    of Masons opposed to the
    proposed changes to the 
    Landmarks. The GL of E becomes
    known as the "Moderns". | 
  
  
    | 1752 AD | 
    Laurence Dermott becomes Secretary of the AGL of E. | 
  
  
    | 1754 AD | 
    
    First known use of the term "Sublime Degree of a Master 
    
    Mason" in a certificate drawn by the GL of I. 
    Alexander Slade publishes The Freemason Examin'd which
    is a expose and claims the 
    Craft's ritual is based on the Tower
    of Babel. Six editions are 
    published in five years. | 
  
  
    | 1756 AD | 
    Laurence Dermott publishes Ahiman Rezon - the 
    constitution of the Antients. | 
  
  
    | 1758 AD | 
    "Strict Union" reached between the GL of I and the 
    Antients. | 
  
  
    | 1767 AD | 
    First Lodge is established in China by the GL of E.  | 
  
  
    | 1772 AD | 
    
    William Preston publishes Illustrations of Free 
    Masonry
    which goes through seventeen editions by 1861.  | 
  
  
    | 1773 AD | 
    "Strict Union" reached between the GL of S and the Moderns 
    (GL of E). | 
  
  
    | 1775 AD | 
    
    William Hutchinson publishes Spirit of Freemasonry 
    - the 
    first book on Masonic philosophy expressing the view that the 
    
    Craft is 
    a Christian association. | 
  
  
    | 1776 AD | 
    
    Masonic Hall is dedicated on 
    Great Queen St, London, 
    England. | 
  
  
    | 1784 AD | 
    
    The GL of E issues a Charter to 
    African Lodge No 459 on
    29th September. This is an 
    African-American Lodge. | 
  
  
    | 1788 AD | 
    
    The Royal Masonic Institution 
    for Girls is established in 
    England. | 
  
  
    | 1792 AD | 
    
    The first Masonic journal in England, The Sentimental 
    and  
     Masonic Magazine, is published monthly. | 
  
  
    | 1797 AD | 
    
    John Robison, a professor of the University of Edinburgh, 
    
    publishes Proof of a 
    Conspiracy against all the Religions 
     and Governments of Europe 
    carried on in Secret Meetings
     of the Freemasons, 
    Illuminati, and Reading Societies, 
     Collected from Good 
    Authorities. | 
  
  
    | 1798 AD | 
    
    The Royal Masonic Institution 
    for Boys is established in 
    England. | 
  
  
    | 1799 AD | 
    
    The English Parliament passes the Unlawful Societies 
    Act. 
    Freemasonry is 
    exempted from its provisions.  | 
  
  
    | 1802 AD | 
    The Irish Masonic Female Orphan School is founded. | 
  
  
    | 1809 AD | 
    
    The Lodge of Promulgation is formed in England (and lasts 
    
    until 1811) to report on the differences between the ritual of the
    Moderns 
    and Antients. The "schism" has now be in existence
    for 58 years. | 
  
  
    | 1813 AD | 
    
    The Moderns and Antients become reconciled and form "The
    United Grand Lodge of Antient, Free, and Accepted Masons 
    
    of England" on 27th 
    December (St John's Day) - UGL of E.  | 
  
  
    | 1814 AD | 
    
    The UGL of E, the GL of I, and 
    the GL of S sign the
    "International Compact" in which 
    they agree on basic points of Freemasonry.
     | 
  
  
    | 1815 AD | 
    The new Book of Constitutions is issued by the 
    UGL of E.  | 
  
  
    | 1816 AD | 
    The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland is formed. | 
  
  
    | 1817 AD | 
    
    The union of Royal Arch Chapters in England occurs. | 
  
  
    | 1818 AD | 
    
    William Preston dies. He left a substantial sum to the
    Benevolent fund and also established a fund for the giving of an
    annual 
    lecture - still given England and called the Prestonian 
    Lecture.  | 
  
  
    | 1820 AD | 
    
    "Australian Social Mother Lodge No 260" is warranted in 
    
    Sydney by the GL of I on 6th January. Now known as Lodge
    Antiquity No 1 - UGL of NSW & ACT.  | 
  
  
    | 1821 AD | 
    
    Pope Pius VII issues his Papal Bull Ecclesiam 
    on Sept 13th,
    against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1823 AD | 
    
    The Grand Lodge of Wigan is formed by 4 erased Lodges in
    Lancashire. It constitutes 6 lodges during its short existence 
    
    which ceases 
    in 1866. 
    The Irish parliament passes the Unlawful Oaths Act. It is 
    directed at many organizations, 
    but 10 months after it is passes
    an announcement is made that it 
    is not intended to cover 
    Freemasonry. | 
  
  
    | 1824 AD | 
    
    King Ferdinand VII of Spain decrees on 1st August the 
    death of all Freemasons without trial.  
    "Lodge Leinster Marine No 266" is warranted in Sydney by
    the GL of I on 
    12th August. Now known as Lodge Leinster 
    Marine No 2 - UGL of NSW & ACT.
     | 
  
  
    | 1825 AD | 
    
    Pope Leo XII issues his Papal Bull Quiograviora 
    on March 
    13th, against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1828 AD | 
    
    "Lodge Australia No 820" is warranted in Sydney by the
    UGL 
    of E on 21st June. Now known as The Lodge of
    Australia No 3 - UGL of NSW & 
    ACT.  | 
  
  
    | 1829 AD | 
    
    Pope Pius VIII issues his 
    Papal Bull Traditi 
    on May 21st,
    against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1832 AD | 
    
    Pope Gregory XVI issues his 
Papal Bull Mirari 
    on August 
    15th, against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1836 AD | 
    
    The first Book of Constitutions 
    is issued by the GL of S - 
    102 years after it was formed.  | 
  
  
    | 1837 AD | 
    The Grand Lodge Library is founded by the UGL of E. | 
  
  
    | 1838 AD | 
    
    The Benevolent Institution is 
    founded for the aged and needy 
    Masons in England. It is the 
    third charitable project of the 
    Grand Lodge.  | 
  
  
    | 1839 AD | 
    
    
James Halliwell discovers the Regius Manuscript 
    in the 
    British Museum. | 
  
  
    | 1840 AD | 
    
    Inaugural meeting of "Maitland Lodge of Unity No 804" UGL
    of E on 4th November. Now known as The
Maitland Lodge of
    
    Unity 
    No 4 - UGL of NSW & ACT. It was the first country
    Lodge in NSW.  | 
  
  
    | 1842 AD | 
    
    First Lodge formed in New Zealand. | 
  
  
    | 1845 AD | 
    
    
Albert Mackey publishes A Lexicon of Freemasonry. 
    After
    many editions this develops in the Encyclopedia of  
    
     Freemasonry.
     | 
  
  
    | 1846 AD | 
    
    Pope Pius IX issues his Papal Bull 
Qui Fluribus 
    on Nov 9th,
    against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1849 AD | 
    
    Pope Pius IX issues his Papal Bull 
Quibus quantisque 
    Malis
    on April 20th, against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1857 AD | 
    
    "Sydney - St Andrews Lodge No 358" is warranted in 
    
    Sydney 
    by the UGL of S on 4th August. Now known as Lodge
    St Andrew Twilight No 7 - UGL of NSW & ACT.  | 
  
  
    | 1861 AD | 
    
    J.G.Findel publishes A History of Freemasonry, 
    the first
    English edition of which appears 
    in 1865. | 
  
  
    | 1864 AD | 
    
    Between 21st and 24th May, Guiseppe Garibaldi unites all 
    
    Masonic groups on Italy. 
    Pope Pius IX issues his 
Papal Bull Quanta Cura on Dec 8th,
    against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1865 AD | 
    
    Pope Pius IX issues his Papal Bull Multiplires Intern 
    on 
    Sept 25th, against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1866 AD | 
    
    A Lodge is formed in Japan by the UGL of E. | 
  
  
    | 1869 AD | 
    
    Pope Pius IX issues his Papal Bull 
Apostolicae Sedis 
    on Oct
    12th, against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1873 AD | 
    
    Pope Pius IX issues his Papal Bull 
Esti Multa 
    on Nov 21st,
    against the Craft. | 
  
  
    | 1880 AD | 
    Gould's History of Freemasonry is published. | 
  
  
    | 1884 AD | 
    
    Pope Leo XIII issues his Papal Bull Humanum Genus 
    on 
    April 20th, against the Craft. 
    This is the last Papal Bull directed
    against Freemasonry. Over a 
    period of 146 years a total of 13
    Bulls were issued.  | 
  
  
    | 1886 AD | 
    
    
Quatuor Cononati Lodge No 2076 (UGL of E) is constituted.
    It is to become the premier research Lodge in the World. Its 
    
    first 
    Transactions were published in 1888, and have been
    published yearly ever since.  | 
  
  
    | 1888 AD | 
    
The United Grand Lodge of NSW is formed. | 
  
  
    | 1894 AD | 
    
    Pope Leo XIII establishes an Anti-Masonic Bureau. 
    Edward Conder publishes Records of the Hole Crafte and
     Fellowship of 
    Masons in London. | 
  
  
    | 1899 AD | 
    
    Leader Scott (Lady Lucy Baxter) publishes The 
    Cathedral  
     Builders in which she 
    tries to show the missing link between the
    Masons of ancient times and the 
    Freemasons of her day. | 
  
  
    | 1914 AD | 
    
    Bro Rev Joseph Fort Newton writes The Builders 
    for the 
    Grand Lode of Iowa - a copy of 
    which is given to all new 
    Masons. This book is still 
    popular today. | 
  
  
    | 1923 AD | 
    
    On 13th Feb, the Grand Fascist 
    Council issues its first 
    resolution against Freemasonry. | 
  
  
    | 1926 AD | 
    
    The Salvation Army issues a "confidential" communication 
    to 
    its officers expressing opposition to secret societies. 
    The Fascists confiscate property of the Craft in Italy. | 
  
  
    | 1929 AD | 
    
    The Lateran Treaty is made between the Pope and Mussolini. 
    Bro Eugen Lennhoff publishes The Freemasons which was 
    translated into English in 1934. | 
  
  
    | 1931 AD | 
    
    The Portugal Police order that 
    all Masonic meetings are 
    prohibited. | 
  
  
    | 1938 AD | 
    
    King George VI of England invested as Past Grand Master 
    
    of 
    the UGL of E. 
    Knoop, Jones, & Hamer publish The Two Earliest Masonic
     Manuscripts. 
    Knoop, Jones, & Hamer publish An Introduction to  
     Freemasonry. | 
  
  
    | 1940 AD | 
    
    Knoop & Jones publish A Short History of Freemasonry 
     
    
     to 1730. | 
  
  
    | 1947 AD | 
    Knoop & Jones publish The Genesis of Freemasonry. | 
  
  
    | 1949 AD | 
    
    The Spanish Government includes 
    an item in its budget to 
    spend over $100,000 for the 
    maintenance of a special tribunal
    to suppress Freemasonry. | 
  
  
    | 1950 AD | 
    
    Bernard E. Jones publishes A Freemasons Guide and
     Compendium. | 
  
  
    | 1951 AD | 
    
    The January issue of the English magazine Theology 
    publishes
    are article entitled "Should a 
    Christian be a Freemason?" by the
    Rev Walton Hannah. The article 
    creates a storm within the
    Anglican Church. | 
  
  
    | 1953 AD | 
    
    
The Grand Lodge of the State of 
    Israel is consecrated by the
    GL of S on 20th Oct. | 
  
  
    | 1954 AD | 
    
    The Rev Walton Hannah publishes the anti-Masonic book
    
     
    Masons by Degrees. 
    Pick & Knight publish The Pocket History of Freemasonry. 
    Freemasons are imprisoned in Spain. | 
  
  
    | 1955 AD | 
    
    Dr Mauro Baradi (PGM of the 
    Philippines) is opposed by the
    Roman Catholic Church from 
    holding public office on the 
    grounds that he is a Freemason. | 
  
  
    | 1956 AD | 
    
    The Feb 23rd issue of the Christian Science Monitor- has a long favorable article about Freemasonry.   The High Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church petitions the Minister of the Interior to withdraw government recognition of Freemasonry.  The Church of Nazarene states that it is opposed to Freemasonry. The Oct 8th issue of Life magazine is devoted almost entirely to Freemasonry.  
 | 
  
  
    | 1957 AD | 
    
    The Grand Lodge of Japan is formed. 
    A court in England rules that Freemasonry is not a religion. 
    The Lutheran Church fails to achieve unity at a meeting due to
    the 
    opposition of one group of its members to membership of 
    Lodges by members of 
    the Church. 
    Bernard E. Jones publishes The Freemason's Book of the
     Royal Arch. 
    Paul Nettl publishes Mozart and Masonry. | 
  
  
    | 1959 AD | 
    
    21 Freemasons are imprisoned in 
    Spain, without trial, under
    the 1st March 1940 law. | 
  
  
    | 1960 AD | 
    A further 14 Freemasons are imprisoned in Spain. 
    H.V.B.Booth publishes The Royal Order of Scotland. | 
  
  
    | 1961 AD | 
    
    
The Grand Lodge of India is formed by the UGL of Em the
    GL 
    of I, and the GL of S.  
    Harry Carr publishes Mother Kilwinning Lodge. 
    Robert L. Duncan publishes The Reluctant General - a
    biography of Albert Pike.  | 
  
  
    | 1962 AD | 
    
    Liberty Lodge No 70 formed in Biaritz, France as a 
    travelling
    Lodge to serve Spanish Freemasons.  
    H.C.Ronins-Landon publishes Mozart and the Masons -  
     new light on the 
    Lodge of Crowned Hope.  
    Harry Carr (editor) publishes Minutes of the Lodge of  
     Edinburgh 
    (Mary's Chapel) | 
  
  
    | 1963 AD | 
    
    Knoop, Jones, & Hamer publish Early Masonic Catechisms
    (2nd ed). 
    H.L.Haywood publishes Masonic Essays. | 
  
  
    | 1964 AD | 
    
    On 29th Dec, Bishop Mendez Arceo of Mexico, expresses
    his 
    view at Vatican II that Roman Catholics should make peace
    with the 
    Freemasons of the World.  
    Harry Carr (editor) publishes Collected Prestonian 
     Lectures. 
    Alec Mellor (a Roman Catholic) publishes Our Separated
     Brethren - The 
    Freemasons. He later becomes a Freemason 
    and a member of Phoenix Lodge 
    of Research No 30 (GLNF). 
    Discussions were held in England as to whether to modify the
    ancient penalties of the Craft 
    degrees. | 
  
  
    | 1965 AD | 
    
    The BBC presented a program entitled Freemasonry - The
     Open Secret purporting to be an expose of Freemasonry. | 
  
  
    | 1967 AD | 
    
    The UGL of E celebrated its 250th anniversary, and 
    publishes
     Grand Lodge:1717-1967. | 
  
  
    | 1968 AD | 
    
    Bro Harry Carr meets with Cardinal Heenan 
    in London on 
    8th March to discuss the 
    relationship of Freemasonry and the 
    Roman Catholic Church. As a 
    result of these discussions, the 
    anti-Masonic tracts sold in Roman 
    Catholic churches in
    London are removed from the 
    stacks.   | 
  
  
    | 1969 AD | 
    
    The Masonic Book Club is formed in Bloomington, Ill, USA 
    
    and publishes its first book in 1970 - a facsimile of the Regius
     Poem. 
    A Pocket History of Freemasonry by Pick, Knight, & Smith
    is published | 
  
  
    | 1971 AD | 
    
    Bro Harry Carr has several more conferences with Cardinal 
    
    Heenan. This leads to a friendly relationship developing
    between the Craft 
    and the Roman Catholic Church. On 26th 
    April it is rumored that the Church 
    is about to change its rule 
    about barring Masonic membership to its members. 
    King Solomon's Temple in the Masonic Tradition by Alex
    Horne is 
    published. 
    Early French Exposures by Bro Harry Carr is published. 
    Mozart's opera The Magic Flute, which is generally believed
    to 
    contain Masonic themes, is examined by Jacques Chailley
    and his comments 
    published.  | 
  
  
    | 1972 AD | 
    
    A Register of Grand Lodges Active and Extinct by 
    George
     Draffen is published.  | 
  
  
    | 1973 AD | 
    
    A Commentary on Masonic Ritual (2nd Edition) by 
    E.B.
    Cartwright is published, with comments by Bro Harry Carr. 
    Emulation - A Ritual to Remember by C.F.W.Colin is
    published. | 
  
  
    | 1974 AD | 
    
    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 19th June
    informing them that Cannon 2335 
    prohibiting its members from
    joining Freemasonry is to be 
    interpreted to apply to such 
    groups as are opposed to Church.  | 
  
  
    | 1976 AD | 
    A Freemason at Work by Bro Harry Carr is 
    published. | 
  
  
    | 1977 AD | 
    
    Several Prince Hall Lodges in South Africa give up their 
    
    Charters from the USA and join the regular Craft in South
    Africa. 
    Quatour Coronati Lodge publishes in facsimile the 1723 and
    1738 editions 
    of Anderson's Constitutions in one volume. 
    • 600 Years of Craft Ritual by Bro Harry Carr is published. | 
  
  
    | 1978 AD | 
    
    • The Craft in the Far East by Bro Christopher 
    Haffner is 
    published. 
    The York Legend in the Old Charges by Alex Horne is
    published. 
    Prince Hall, Life and Legacy by Dr Charles Wesley is 
    published 
    and reviewed in AQC vol 90, pp 306-322. | 
  
  
    | 1979 AD | 
    
    Pope John Paul II visits Chicago while the Grand Lodge is 
    in session. The Grand Master and Grand Wardens, by special 
    invitation, attend a Mass conducted by the Pope in Grant Park.  
    Freemasonry is banned in Iran. Several Arab nations assume
    an anti-Masonic stance under the erroneous belief that the 
    Craft is controlled by the Jews. | 
  
  
    | 1980 AD | 
    
    Rose Croix - A History of the Ancient and Accepted 
    Rite
     for England and Wales by A.C.F. Jackson is published.  |