Searching for the Apple Tree: What Happened in 1716?
by Andrew Prescott
Brethren, immerse yourselves in a fascinating journey back to early 18th-century London with Professor Andrew Prescott, a leading authority in Digital Humanities and Freemasonry history. In this compelling lecture, Professor Prescott explores the vibrant, bohemian world of Covent Garden, a place of creativity, danger, and intrigue, where the seeds of modern Freemasonry were sown.
Covent Garden was no ordinary district; it was a melting pot of artists, writers, freethinkers, and yes, even rogues. It was here, at the Apple Tree Tavern on Charles Street, that four London lodges are traditionally said to have met in 1716, setting the stage for the historic 1717 feast at the Goose and Gridiron and the election of the first Grand Master, the birth of the Grand Lodge and modern Freemasonry.
But how much of this story is fact, and how much is legend? Drawing on meticulous research and historical records, Professor Prescott challenges us to reconsider the narrative and uncover the true role of the Apple Tree and Covent Garden in our fraternity’s origins.
This lecture is a rare opportunity to deepen your understanding of our heritage, presented by a scholar who has dedicated decades to Freemasonry research, including his work as founding Director of the Centre for Research into Freemasonry.
Watch the full lecture here: The Apple Tree Tavern and the Origins of the Grand Lodge
Join the conversation, enrich your Masonic knowledge, and celebrate the rich history that binds us all.
