The origins and purposes of this society have always been an enigma. Are we talking about some sort of Masonic society, or something entirely different?
But let's dwell on the definition of a lodge first. Free masonry is a sort of associative organization that allows members in by cooptation, and with rites that refer to Masonic secrets. On June 24, 1717, four lodges in London gathered at the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house. Their names referred to the taverns they used to meet at: the Goose and Gridiron, the Crown, the Apple-Tree, the Rummer and Grapes. These first lodges declared mutual support and elected one Anthony Sayer as their Grand Master.
The following year, in 1718, Georges Paynes, a secretary at the office of taxes, was appointed Grand Master, and the number of lodges increased. In 1719, the title was given to Jean Théophile Désaguliers, a friend of Isaac Newton and renowned lecturer. In a very short time frame, the Great Lodge of London acquired considerable fame, which would allow free masonry to spread across Europe, and as a consequence, across European colonies.
An eminent specialist on the subject (yes, these people can be found already), marooned on Tortuga for obscure reasons, claims that this Lodge of The Nine has several symbolic ties with something very specific. He did not say what it was, but leaves the discussion open by suggesting nine possibilities: - The Bible tells about The Nine Plagues of Egypt.
- The number Nine is associated with satanic imagery.
- There are nine muses in Greek mythology.
- Nine knights have founded the Order of the Temple in Jerusalem.
- There are nine major divinities in the Egyptian pantheon.
- It took nine days and nine nights for Odin to learn the secret of the runes.
- In Norse mythology, the tree Yggdrasil was rising above nine worlds.
- Nine corpses were found in a theatre loge in Paris during the opening of "Naufrage à Port-à-l'Anglois" in 1718.
- Italian author Manara wrote "A Spy in the Courts of Christian Princes" in eight volumes, published from 1696 onwards. However, rumour has it a ninth volume has been written.
As you can see, there are multiple options, but I've got my own idea about all this. If the description of the Great Lodge of London is accurate, clues to this elusive Lodge may be found in some tavern somewhere. But it's like looking for mercy in the soul of a pirate! And there are so many cheap taverns in the Caribbean...

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