History, values, and what actually happens, from a lodge that has been practising it since 1930.
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest and largest fraternal organisations. There are around six million Freemasons worldwide, and over 200,000 in England and Wales alone.
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation. Its members are of many faiths and none. It has no involvement in politics. Its traditions are private, not its existence: men meeting in friendship, following a shared moral code, and giving back to their communities.
An introduction from the United Grand Lodge of England
Core principles
Freemasons regard all people with tolerance, respect, and kindness. The lodge is a place where that practice begins: men of different backgrounds, beliefs, and professions meeting as equals.
A commitment to charitable giving and to helping those in need. Freemasons in England and Wales give over £50 million to charitable causes every year, supporting hospitals, hospices, education, and community projects across the country.
A high standard of moral behaviour, in the lodge and outside it. Freemasons are expected to be honest in their dealings, reliable in their commitments, and accountable for their actions.
These three principles are not aspirations. They are expectations. Every Freemason takes an obligation to uphold them when he joins.
Craft Masonry
Every Freemason passes through three degrees. Each is conferred by ceremony: a combination of ritual, symbol, and obligation that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
The first degree. A new member is initiated into the lodge and introduced to the principles of Freemasonry through ceremony, symbol, and obligation. The degree teaches humility: the candidate is entering something larger than himself and is asked to listen before he speaks.
The second degree advances the member further, with an emphasis on learning and the application of knowledge. The Fellow Craft is encouraged to study, to improve his mind and contribute more fully to the world around him.
The third and highest degree of Craft Masonry. The ceremony is dramatic and moving, and is considered the centrepiece of the Masonic experience. A Master Mason has full standing in the lodge and is encouraged to put into practice everything he has learned.
The governing body
Founded in 1717, the United Grand Lodge of England is the oldest and largest Grand Lodge in the world. It regulates Freemasonry in England and Wales, sets standards for ritual and conduct, and represents English Freemasonry internationally.
Fortis Green Lodge is constituted under the UGLE and is also part of the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London, the provincial body overseeing Masonic lodges across the county.
About Freemasonry
The UGLE's own introduction: history, principles, common questions.
ugle.org.uk →
The Freemasons' Charity
Where much of the charitable giving goes. Grants, care homes, education.
freemasonscharity.org.uk →
Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London
Fortis Green Lodge is one of many lodges under the Province.
londonmasons.org.uk →
Women and Freemasonry
Fortis Green Lodge is constituted under the United Grand Lodge of England, which governs male-only Craft lodges in England and Wales.
Women who are interested in Freemasonry are served by two fully established Grand Lodges that work the same traditional Craft ritual and uphold the same principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth:
Order of Women Freemasons
Lodges across England and Wales.
owf.org.uk →
Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons
An independent Grand Lodge with lodges nationwide.
hfaf.org →
Both are long-established, independent, and thriving organisations. If you are a woman interested in Freemasonry, we would encourage you to explore both directly.
Charitable giving
Charitable giving is built into Freemasonry, not as an afterthought but as a core obligation. The principle of Relief means Freemasons are expected to support those in need, both within the brotherhood and in the wider community.
In England and Wales, Freemasons give over £50 million to charity every year. Much of this flows through The Freemasons' Charity, supporting hospitals, hospices, education, and thousands of community causes.
See what Fortis Green Lodgegives locally →Fortis Green Lodge, season 2026-27
Community grant supporting Stewarts Road Adventure Playground in SW8. Built a new play structure and converted a chicken coop into an outdoor chill-out space for young people.
Donation from Relief Chest. Drama-based therapeutic approaches for very young children in South East London.
Donation from Relief Chest. Assistive technology for children with life-limiting conditions in hospices, including tablets, eye-gaze equipment, and specialist computers.
Contribution via Metropolitan Grand Lodge appeal for London appeals.
Primary beneficiary. Every festive board raffle and collection supports the Freemasons Charity, the central charity of United Grand Lodge of England.
The raffle at every dinner goes to the Lodge Almoner for member welfare.
Our lodge
Fortis Green Lodge meets at Freemasons Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ and has been doing so since 1930.
We work Taylor's, one of the most widely practised workings in English Craft Masonry: all three degrees conducted in full and performed from memory.
1930
Consecrated
5145
Lodge number
4
Meetings a year
Taylor's
Ritual
Taylor's
Fortis Green Lodge works Taylor's, performed from memory without prompting. Members who take ritual roles rehearse regularly at the Lodge of Instruction to maintain the standard.
For visitors and new members, there is nothing to know or do. The ceremonies are witnessed, not tested. What strikes most people afterwards is how the formality created space for something genuine.
We hold social evenings open to anyone curious about the lodge. Come and see what we are about.
