This study investigates the transitional phases of English Freemasonry from the midseventeenth
century into what can be described as a Masonic Enlightenment during
the eighteenth century. This movement was part of a wider enterprising evolution led
by the Newtonian experimental natural philosopher Dr. John Theophilus Desaguliers
and James Anderson, both members of the London based Grand Lodge founded in
1717 and both staunch Hanoverians. The ritual, along with the accompanying
Masonic symbolism, quickly became adopted into what would become known as
'Modem' Freemasonry, which spread its influence around England.
One of the aims of this thesis is to assess why it was embraced by some areas, yet
rejected by others, such as York. Scholarship to date has avoided analysis of the
Masonic ritual, with Freemasonry being seen as a secret society, and many of the
original documentation relating to Masonic lodges being held in private collections.
The United Grand Lodge of England has only recently opened its 'archive and library
to the public, though this has only revealed how much documentary material has
either been lost or destroyed. An example of this is the absence of personal
correspondence relating to Desaguliers' Masonic ritual changes, despite the evidence
that changes where made by him. An objective of this dissertation is to examine why
the development of 'Modem' Freemasonry was so successful, and why Desaguliers,
and other members ofthe Royal Society were attracted to the Craft.
The study will also assess the fermentation of Freemasonry as it transmuted from the
'operative' society into 'a more 'speculative' one during the seventeenth century.
Precious little academic work has been published on this aspect of the society, and
this study will analyse the contributions of Christopher Wren and Isaac Newton on the
development of the Craft, concentrating on their emphasis upon the search for the
divine measurement of Solomon's Temple. The later changes to the Masonic ritual
reflected their work, displaying themes for the search of lost ancient knowledge set
against the backdrop of the construction of Solomon's Temple. In this Masonic quest
the ethos ofFreemasonry became shaped by fashionable and attractive concepts ofthe
'New Science' merging with the 'Old Science' of magic and alchemy. These
concepts which became appealing in the light ofthe social and political atmosphere of
the Whig Oligarchy of early eighteenth century England, will also be discussed, the
study concluding with an examination of the overall contribution of the Masonic
Enlightenment on English society
