When was the first Grand Lodge formed?
The first Grand Lodge, known as the Premier Grand Lodge of England, was established in 1717 in London. This significant event marked a transition from the informal operative guilds of stonemasons to the more structured and philosophical fraternity of speculative Freemasonry that we recognize today. The formation occurred through the union of four lodges at the Goose and Gridiron tavern, which is widely regarded as the genesis of modern Freemasonry. This consolidation laid the groundwork for governance and standardization, facilitating the spread of Freemasonry across the globe.