At the time of our Constitution in 1789, Freemasonry in England was divided, there being two ‘Grand’ Lodges. The first of these, the ‘Grand Lodge of England’ dated from 1717, but in 1751 a difference over matters of procedure and ritual came to a head, the dissenters breaking away and forming their own ‘Grand’ Lodge. These seceders could not accept certain ‘modern’ innovations and departures from ancient landmarks, and re-affirmed their allegiance to the earlier traditions and practices.

The original Grand Lodge became known as the ‘Moderns’ whilst the new Grand Lodge as the ‘Antients’.

The Antient Grand Lodge, for the greater part of it’s existence was under the Grand Masterships of the 3rd and the 4th Dukes of Atholl (also Grand Masters of Scotland) and thus became known as the Atholl Grand Lodge, and those lodges constituted under it’s aegis as ‘Atholl Lodges’.

Lodge No. 258 (now 192) was so warranted in 1789 by the Earl of Antrim (although holding an Irish title, he was a Macdonald of Glengarry) who was Grand Master during the break in the Atholl succession. The warrant was obtained by a Lodge of Operative masons, Lodge No 234, now the ‘Domatic’ No177.

During these formative years, Lodge no 258 was virtually a ‘Masters’ Lodge, there being no initiations or subsequent ceremonies. Brethren were ‘proposed’ and thus became members. One such eminent brother was Thomas Harper, Senior Grand Warden, who was proposed by the W.M. on February 9th 1792. In 1796, the Lodge Warrant was purchased from No 234 (a not unknown procedure in those days) and henceforth became independent of it’s parent, pursuing an entirely separate existence.

The Lodge, from it’s first Master, Sir Watkin Lewes MP, gradually acquired considerable standing and authority, it ‘was very generous in its benefactions, as well as lavish in its expenditure’, so much so, that at one time ‘it was pestered with petitions for relief’.

Whilst this prestige was thus being established, contacts had been made to heal the differences between the rival Grand Lodges, Bro. Harper, now Deputy Grand Master of the ‘Antients’ being also elected a Grand Officer of the ‘Moderns’. After many delays and vicissitudes, the differences were composed, and in December 1831, the two Grand Lodges were reconciled and merged and thus the present ‘United Grand Lodge of England’ came into being.

In order to effect this merger, the two reigning Grand Masters, viz., the Duke of Atholl and the Earl of Moira, resigned their Offices in favour of the two sons of the Monarch, King George III; HRH The Duke of Kent and Strathern being elected Grand Master of the ‘Antients’ and HRH The Duke of Sussex, the Grand Master of the ‘Moderns’. At the same time ‘Articles of Union’ were approved, being ‘Done at the Palace of Kensington’ on 25th November 1813.

The document was signed on behalf of the ‘Antients’ by:-

Edward         Grand Master.
Thos. Harper  Deputy Grand Master.
J. Perry Past  Deputy Grand Master.
J. Agar Past   Deputy Grand Master.

For the ‘Moderns’ by Augustus Frederick Grand Master and three others.

Thereafter a ‘Lodge of Reconciliation’ was formed, comprising 18 of ‘the ablest ritualists of the day’, nine from each side, and amongst the ‘Antients’ was Br. James McCann, elected member of No 258 in November 1811.

Having given this background, necessarily very brief but nevertheless entirely factual, we can now consider the name ‘Lion and Lamb’

As some brethren are aware, upon the centenary of the Lodge in 1889, its reputation over the preceding 100 years was so high that Bro. W.J. Hughan, described as ‘that giant of Masonic research’ and also as ‘the leading Masonic historian of the day’ undertook the task of writing our history. His work is entitled ‘The Illustrated History of the Lion and Lamb Lodge and Chapter No 192’. The book was financed and published by our own Bro. G. Kenning P.M., and copies are in the Library at Grand Lodge, and also in the City of London Library, Guildhall, E.C.

Respecting the name, Bro. Hughan writes "... the secretary, Bro. Lane, records the name in 1816 ... ... ... The name is peculiar and probably the only one of its kind anywhere. It would be easy to suggest reasons, but in the absence of evidence it appears to me better to leave the matter in abeyance".

Our own Lodge Minutes are singularly silent as to the meaning of the name, but after a lapse of 150 years we can now claim to have solved the mystery.

Firstly there is a complete list of all the taverns and other meeting places of the Lodge, and the name ‘Lion’ or ‘Lamb’ does not appear.

Secondly, we do know that the name was adopted during, or shortly before 1816, and this is also confirmed on the Centenary Warrant of 1889. During 1814/15, the new United Grand Lodge was allocating new numbers to the Lodges, we became no 325, and the Grand Lodge also asked the Lodges to adopt names, in addition to their numbers.

To the Lodge brethren, the ‘Lion’ was self evident; it is the Lion Rampant of Scotland, one of the emblems on the banner of the Antient Grand Lodge, which arms had also been adopted in their entirety by our Lodge (and appear on our present banner).

But I am indebted to Bro. Newton, Assistant Librarian at Grand Lodge, for the information that the ‘Lion’ also appeared on the Armourial Bearings of the Duke of Kent, whilst the ‘Lamb’ on those of the Duke of Sussex.

Thus the Name ‘Lion and Lamb’ was adopted by the lodge at the time of the formation of the United Grand Lodge, and it symbolises the merging of the ‘Antients’ represented by the ‘Lion’ with the ‘Moderns’ represented by the ‘Lamb’ of the duke of Sussex. There is also the Old Testament quotation, "The Lion and the Lamb shall lie down together".

The name was also adopted to commemorate the very noteworthy participation of the brethren of the Lodge in the negotiations culminating in the creation of the United Grand Lodge.

The ‘Lion’ is also a constant reminder of our roots in the Antient Grand Lodge, the ‘Atholl Masons’.

All the foregoing information is historical fact, not conjecture. It was the incongruity of the Heraldic Lion Rampant, quartered with the three other figures in more natural attitudes which set me on enquiry, that the solution lay away from Inn names. My fortunate meeting with Bro. Edward Newton at Grand Lodge provided the final key.

We can certainly speculate upon the conversations between the Lodge brethren upon this subject. They already had the Lion, and the termination of the rivalry between the two Grand Lodges would doubtless bring to mind the Biblical analogy. They were quite possibly unaware of the heraldic coincidence, and the fact that the ‘Articles of Union’ were signed left to right, i.e. Lion and Lamb. And human nature, even Masonic, being what it is, our early brethren would be gratified that, as ‘Antients’, this title would give them the edge over their erstwhile rivals.

It is apparent that this solution for the reason of the names was not appreciated or known to the later brethren, for in the design of the Past Masters jewel in 1866, the Lion is depicted lying down, in a natural attitude, with the Lamb beside him. The heraldry had gone.

*This thesis has been approved by Bro. Newton, and I suggest that the Lodge can now accept the facts as stated, and that the ‘mystery’ is no longer in abeyance.

The quotations in parenthesis are taken from the ‘Illustrated History’ previously mentioned, and also from a ‘History of Freemasonry’ by W/Bros. Pick and Knight, and other standard books. Also consulted, ‘Catalogue of Contents of Grand Lodge’ by Sir A. Tudor-Craig.

* There is much more internal evidence and supporting inferences, but space does not permit their being quoted here.