America, Modern and Ancient Influences in

America, Modern and Ancient Influences in. From 1751 to 1813, English Freemasonry was divided between the ”Modern” Grand Lodge and the ”Ancient” Grand Lodge. This rivalry manifested in the American Colonies. Modern lodges, particularly in major urban centers, often trended toward the aristocracy and Tory sympathies, while the more aggressive Ancient lodges (often allied with Scottish and Irish influence) expanded rapidly, especially through Military Lodges during the French and Indian W*r and the Revolution.

By the end of the Revolution, the influence of the two factions was roughly equal, but the Ancient ritual and law—particularly the inclusion of the Royal Arch degree—eventually prevailed in many jurisdictions. The competition between these two bodies of Masonic thought shaped the development of American Grand Lodges, leading to a variety of practices and terminology that persist to this day. Coil provides an essential breakdown of the ”Modern” vs. ”Ancient” makeup of the original 13 American Grand Lodges, noting that names like ”F. & A. M.” or ”A. F. & A. M.” are not always reliable indicators of a Grand Lodge's historical ancestry.

Macoy Collector's Note: Coil provides the definitive analysis of the ”Modern” and ”Ancient” struggle, which serves as the key to understanding the ritualistic and jurisdictional differences in American Freemasonry.