The first Grand Lodge in the UK (and the world) was established in London on June 24, 1717, when four existing lodges met at the Goose and Gridiron alehouse in St Paul’s Churchyard.
This entity is now known as the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE).
Four Original Lodges: The four lodges that formed the Grand Lodge of England met at the Goose and Gridiron, the Crown, the Apple Tree, and the Rummer and Grapes.
Oldest Surviving Lodge: The oldest continuously operating masonic lodge in Scotland (and the world) is the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary’s Chapel) No. 1, with records dating back to 31 July 1599.
First Grand Master: Anthony Sayer was elected the first Grand Master in 1717.1723 Constitutions: The Grand Lodge published its first book of regulations, The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, in 1723.United Grand Lodge of England: The current UGLE was formed on 27 December 1813 by the merger of the “Antients” and “Moderns” grand lodges.
History of the Bluecoat
How a charity school founded in the eighteenth century was transformed into the UK’s first arts centre.Dating from 1717, Bluecoat is the oldest building in both central Liverpool and the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It was also the first arts centre in the UK. This collection provides an overview of the building’s development from school to arts centre, through a timeline, publications, images and other material.
Timeline wall at Bluecoat, created for the tercentenary in 2017. The large backdrop image is from a print, Recollections of the Blue-Coat Hospital, Liverpool, St George’s Day, 1843.
This lithograph by Thomas Picken was published in 1850 by Skinner, Professor of Water Colouring, Liverpool, and printed by G. Webb & Co, London. The print was after a painting by Henry Travis in the collection of the Liverpool Blue Coat School and shows the school band leading the children through the gates, watched by teachers, school governors and the public.
Bluecoat timeline – 1700 to 2017PDF
Bluecoat timeline – 1700 to 2017
Narrative of the rise and progress of the Charity School, or Blue Coat Hospital
Boys should not be trained above sailor !! Quote from original education documents
The Magenta Cow 