CONTEXT OF FREEMASONRY

Following the history of Freemasonry tends to focus exclusively on administration. Today, we loose a great deal by defining the nature of Grand Lodge according to the organization links.  New facts are helping us answer questions about the start.  Four lodges did not meet at the Goose and Gridiron.  The Apple Tree Lodge did not exist at the time, but within the immediate area, 15 bars had Apple Tree in the name.  1717 was a small meeting that established that there was interest in creating a Grand Lodge- in the future. We find, in minutes from the period that in September 1723 oaths were given to the Old Lodges never to abandon the Ancient Landmarks. In exchange, the Old Lodges gave over administrative control to the new Grand Master- The Earl of Montague.  The rally point was not fraternalism and since ritual was not to be developed into the 3 degree system until the early 1730's the benefits of ancient oaths and obligations were not available.   To understand the dynamics of our First Grand Ldoge, we need to understand the backstory.