what led to the schism between the ancients and moderns and how long did it last

The schism that divided English Freemasonry in the eighteenth century grew out of several converging grievances and ritual divergences within the Craft. Joseph Fort Newton identifies a primary cause in the growing apprehension that the ancient democracy of the Fraternity was being infringed upon by the premier Grand Lodge formed in 1717 2. This included allowing the Grand Master to appoint Wardens and, by 1735, restricting the selection of Grand Officers strictly to Past Grand Stewards 2.

A second factor was a tendency among active clergymen to introduce a distinctively Christian tinge into the ritual and symbolism 2. Differences in usage between Scottish and English Masons, local pride, and personal ambitions also contributed to the rift 2. By 1753, the formal schism crystallized when a group of predominantly Irish Masons in London—unrecognized by the premier Grand Lodge—formally denounced it, claiming it had adopted "new plans" and departed from the ancient landmarks 2.

To protect against intrusion, the premier Grand Lodge had altered certain modes of recognition 1. The seceding Masons adopted the title of "Antients," asserting their adherence to older customs and bestowing the name "Moderns" upon the original body 12. Laurence Dermott, who seceded to join the Antients and became their leading driving force, actively kept religious and procedural rivalries alive 3. Under his influence, the Antients emphasized distinctively Christian elements in their documents 3, though Newton notes that the Atholl (Antient) Masons eventually insisted on removing distinctively Christian color to restore Masonry to its original unsectarian foundation at the reconciliation 2.

A major ritual point of division concerned the Royal Arch. In the Antients' system, the Royal Arch was worked as an integral part of Craft Masonry 1, whereas the Moderns did not officially recognize it as part of the Craft degrees 1. Albert C. Mackey outlines two historical theories for this divergence: either the Royal Arch was originally part of the Master's degree and severed by the Moderns, or it was a later creation adopted by Dermott for the Antients 1.

The division lasted sixty years, running from the formal establishment of the rival body in 1753 2 until 1813 14. An initial attempt at union failed in 1797 1. Following the death of Dermott in 1791 3 and extensive negotiations led by the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Kent 4, the two bodies formally amalgamated on December 27, 1813, to form the United Grand Lodge of England 234. The compromise declared that ancient Craft Masonry consists of three degrees, including the Holy Royal Arch 1, while establishing that the Royal Arch should be worked within a separate body or chapter 1.

The union between the Antients and Moderns Grand Lodges was negotiated and brokered primarily by two royal brothers: Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, Grand Master of the Moderns, and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, Grand Master of the Antients 41. The brothers had vowed to bring the two competing bodies together from the time they became Masons 1.

Preparatory work towards reconciliation had been initiated earlier in 1809, when the Earl of Moira warranted the Lodge of Promulgation to prepare the way for union 1. In September 1813, formal committee negotiations began. The Duke of Kent headed an Antient committee consisting of Deputy Grand Master Harper and Past Deputy Grand Masters Perry and Agar 4. They held conferences with the Duke of Sussex, who was assisted by Waller Rodwell Wright, Provincial Grand Master of the Ionian Isles, and Past Grand Wardens Tegart and Deans 4.

Together, this joint committee drafted the Articles of Union, which were signed and sealed at Kensington Palace by the Dukes of Sussex and Kent on November 25, 1813 41. After both Grand Lodges solemnly ratified the articles in early December, the formal ceremony of union took place at Freemasons' Hall on December 27, 1813, establishing the United Grand Lodge of England 41. At this assembly, the Duke of Kent stood down in favor of the Duke of Sussex, who was elected Grand Master of the newly united body 3.

The eighteenth-century division in Craft Masonry did not involve existing Premier Grand Lodge lodges splitting into internal factions; it arose primarily when Irish Freemasons in London formed a distinct rival Grand Lodge in 1751, as a paper read before Quatuor Coronati Lodge notes.

In the English provinces, lodges did not split into opposing sides. Instead, distinct Antient and Modern lodges existed side by side under their respective governing bodies in various towns and areas, often co-operating locally for joint processions and events, as a paper read before Quatuor Coronati Lodge records.