The basics

The 2016 Prestonian Lecture, „The Foundations: A New Look at the Founding and Early Years of the Grand Lodge of England“ traces the development of Freemasonry from the mid-14th century to the founding of the first Grand Lodge of England. Rick Berman challenges old Masonic myths, explains the connections between Freemasonry, the Grand Lodge and the new Hanoverian rule of Britain, and outlines how and why its leaders positioned the Craft as a bulwark against the Jacobites, followers of James Stuart – „the King beyond the Sea“. The book provides context for the tercentenary of the founding of the Grand Lodge of England – the world’s first Grand Lodge.

The Second Grand Lodge: The Grand Lodge of Ireland, the London Irish, and Freemasonry of „"The old ones""

A remarkable overview of the formation of the Grand Lodge of the "Old Ones" and the early conflicts with the first Grand Lodge in the mid-18th century, as well as the subsequent events in its history. The book also provides the historical context of the Irish in London at the time and tells how they became a major support for the formation of the new Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of the "Old Ones" was undoubtedly highly successful and more egalitarian in outlook, with its membership drawn primarily from the middle and lower classes of society. The author tells us that this rival Grand Lodge provided prestige, patronage and authority that counterbalanced the Grand Lodge of England.

Creating the Future: The Constitutions of 1723.

Berman covers a wide range of topics, from the social context in which the framers of the constitutions worked, including the recent creation of the Grand Lodge, to biographies of key figures, including the three principal framers—Desagulier, Paine, and Anderson; the first noble Grand Master, the Duke of Montagu; and a number of other important figures. Berman also covers the content of the constitutions themselves, how they differed from previous ones, and the influence they had around the world. The book pays special attention to their impact on America, devoting ten pages to this topic, including connecting many of the Enlightenment principles embodied in the constitutions with those of the American Declaration of Independence.