British Freemasonry, 1717-1813 Volume 3

British Freemasonry, 1717-1813 Volume 3 explores Freemasonry as a major cultural and social phenomenon and a key element of the Enlightenment, with an international influence across the globe. This primary resource collection charts a key period in the development of organised Freemasonry, culminating in the formation of a single United Grand Lodge of England.

The secrecy that has historically surrounded Freemasonry has often made it difficult to access information and documents about the organisation and its adherents. This collection, the result of extensive archival research and transcription, highlights the most significant themes associated with Freemasonry.

The documents included are drawn from masonic collections, private archives, and libraries worldwide. Interestingly, the majority of these texts have never before been republished. The collection comprises various documents, including rituals (some written in code), funeral services, sermons, songs, certificates, an engraved list of lodges, letters, pamphlets, theatrical prologues and epilogues, as well as articles from newspapers and periodicals.

This collection will enable researchers to identify many key masons for the first time, and it will be of interest to students of Freemasonry, the Enlightenment, and researchers in eighteenth-century studies.