Anglo-American Freemasonry (also self-described as Regular Freemasonry) is a loose network of overlapping chains of mutually recognized

Grand Lodge A Grand Lodge (or Grand Orient or other similar title) is the overarching governing body of a fraternal or other similarly organized group in a given area, usually a city, state, or country. In Freemasonry A Grand Lodge or Grand Orient is the us ...

s, forming a Regular Masonic jurisdiction. For the most part these trace their descent from one of "original" British Grand Lodges, with mutual recognition based on adherence to certain core values, rules and membership requirements (known as Landmarks).

Different branches of Freemasonry

Freemasonry is often said to consist of two branches ''not in mutual regular amity'': *Anglo-American style, or Regular Freemasonry * Continental style, or Liberal Freemasonry The majority of Masonic jurisdictions around the world follow the Anglo-American style. The

United Grand Lodge of England The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is the governing Masonic lodge for the majority of freemasons in England, Wales and the Commonwealth of Nations. Claiming descent from the Masonic grand lodge formed 24 June 1717 at the Goose & Gridiron ...

lists 194 Grand Lodges which it considers to be Regular and the Grand Lodge of New York lists 202 which ''it'' considers to be Regular, while the umbrella organisation for Liberal Freemasonry, CLIPSAS, lists 90 members.CLIPSAS
Members List, retrieved 10 June 2013 The Anglo-American style is especially dominant in the United States, and the countries that once formed the

British Empire The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts e ...

. It has a minority presence in France and most Latin American countries. The Anglo-American branch has several noteworthy sub-branches, most notably

Prince Hall Freemasonry Prince Hall Freemasonry is a branch of North American Freemasonry for African Americans founded by Prince Hall on September 29, 1784. There are two main branches of Prince Hall Freemasonry: the independent State Prince Hall Grand Lodges, most of ...

(a legacy of past racial segregation in the United States, and so predominantly found in that country). The Swedish Rite (which is exclusively open for confessors of the Christian faith, and has a significant presence in Scandinavia), although recognised by this branch of masonry, is best viewed as a separate rite.The Swedish Constitution, Nordic Esotericism in Baroque Splendour
"It would therefore be fair to describe it as a major system, and one that differs greatly from the Anglo-American forms we are accustomed to", retrieved on 10 June 2013. The Continental Style dominates in France, and has a majority presence in several European countries and in most Latin American countries. It has a minority presence in other parts of the world. There are three core issues that separate the Anglo-American Branch and the Continental Branch of Freemasonry:

References

External links

The Web of Hiram at Bradford University
an electronic database of historic Masonic material for Great Britain held in the University's Special Collections {{Freemasonry footer Freemasonry