One of the quintessential discussions surrounding the birth of Freemasonry revolves around the Grand Lodge of York. Members of the York or American Rite base their claims to antiquity on the legend that King Athelstan’s (son/ Half-Brother?) Prince Edwin founded the Grand Lodge at York circa 929 A.D.

This was disputed in the late 17^th century by Dr. Plot in his 1686 Epitome in Natural. History of Staffordshire. The York Rite countered with The Golden Remains Of The Early Masonic Writers by Rev George Oliver.

Unfortunately, the legend falls apart for several historic reasons. First most of the stonemasons working in England in the 10^th century were imported by the Catholic Church from mainland Europe. The Anglo-Saxons built their civil structures and castles out of wood. Even if they had built in stone, the story of Prince Edwin would not hold up for one other reason. In 929 York was located in the kingdom of Northumbria and was not under English control, and had not been since 866 A.D.,when the Vikings raided it and made it one of their capitals.

Ten years later the Danish King Halfdan shared out the lands of Northumbria from his capital, Jorvik, and the former warriors settled down to a peaceful existence. Jorvik became a major river port, part of the extensive Viking trading routes throughout northern Europe. The last Danish ruler of Jorvik, Eric Bloodaxe, was driven from the town in the year 965 by King Eadred of Wessex who succeeded in uniting Northumbria with the southern kingdom.

Having punched a hole in the legend you can drive a double-decker bus through, let me say that there is very strong evidence to support that the Grand Lodge at York is still considerably older than the premiere Grand Lodge of London and Westminster.

It is acknowledged by no less a personage than Preston, in his 1781 edition of "Illustrations of Masonry."

"While Masonry was spreading its influence over the southern part of the Kingdom, it was not neglected in the North. The General Assembly, or Grand Lodge, at York, continued regularly to meet as heretofore. In 1705, under the direction of Sir George Tempest, Bart., then Grand Master, there were several Lodges and many worthy Brethren initiated in York and its neighborhood. Sir George being succeeded by the Right Hon. Robert Benson, Mayor of York, a number of meetings of the fraternity were held at different times in that city, and the .Grand Feast during his membership is said to have been very brilliant. Sir William Robinson, Bart., succeeded Mr. Benson in the office of Grand Master, and the fraternity seem to have considerably increased in the North under his auspices.”