The Ancient and Accepted Rite, was developed in France in 1762. At that time, it consisted of just twenty-five degrees, which were formalised by William Francken. This manuscript, now know as the Francken Manuscript, was followed by The Grand Constitutions of 1786, which describe the Ancient and Accepted Rite, consisting of thirty-three degrees which we know today.
In May 1801, in Charleston, the first Supreme Council following the Grand Constitutions was opened. This now widely known as as The Southern Jurisdiction of the USA. This was followed by France in 1804, Spain in 1811 and the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the USA in 1813. Ireland in 1826 was the sixth. England and Wales however did not receive their patent until 1845 from the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. There are now independent Supreme Councils in over 60 countries.