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MASONRY IN SAXON ENGLAND
CHAPTER VIII
the arcane schools
John Yarker
During the period embraced in this heading, which includes
British times, all the manual arts were Clerical professions in so far as this,
that the Monks acted as teachers and directors of lay associations, more or less
attached to the Monasteries. Architecture was exercised under the shadow of the
church, and M. Blanqui in writing of the French Monasteries observes that "they
were the true origin of industrial Corporations; their birth confounds itself
with the Convents where the work was arranged; it is thence that serving with
the Franks liberty and industry, long enslaved by the Romans, goes out free to
establish itself in the bosom of the towns of the middle ages." Nor is this
all, from the earliest times of Christianity a community of interests, and of
knowledge and art, was maintained by means of Couriers journeying to and fro
throughout the world, amongst the whole Christian Fraternity, which may account
for the sudden and widespread adoption, of particular styles, in countries
distant from each other.
There is no doubt that, even in Druidical times, the
Romans organised in the chief cities of this country Colleges of Artificers on
the Latin model, although the Britons were themselves, at the time, noble
architects. These Colleges were continued by Romanised Britons after the
withdrawal of the Roman troops near the middle period of the fifth century, and
though the wars with the Saxons must have greatly retarded the labours of the
societies, the Saxons interfered but little with city life, {245} contenting
themselves with rural affairs. We may therefore conclude that the
Art-fraternities were continued, even if influenced by the Clergy and by such
Guild life as the Saxons may have brought over with them.
Arranmore has some ancient fortresses. One of these,
built 2,000 years ago, had walls 220 feet long, 20 feet high, and 18 to 20 feet
thick, and is built on a cliff hundreds of feet sheer to the sea; three sets of
massive walls surround the largest fort.
As we have remarked the "Articles and Points" of the
Masonic MSS. are in agreement with the Corpus Juris of the Collegia,
which again are found in an Egypto-Greek source.
As the Clergy were the builders of their Churches, the
chief Monks and Bishops figure in the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge, prepared
in 1723, as Grand Masters of the Fraternity; and it must at least be admitted
that Anderson was half correct, and there is little of any other mode by which
the matter can be treated in this chapter; for Art was an Oath-bound Society the
property of those who had learned Art by an Apprenticeship.
There are numerous Roman remains in this country of
buildings which were erected during the occupation of the island by the Latin
troops; and amongst these are to be found many interesting particulars in York,
London, Chichester, St. Albans, but scattered over the whole island. Newcastle
was in ancient times a place of great importance, and the Romans had a military
station in the place by A.D. 78, and a bridge was built over the river to
connect it and Gateshead and named the "Pons" Aelii. The Roman foundations were
eventually occupied by Monks, for we learn that when Aldwin, with two Monks,
travelled from Gloucester in 1194 to restore the religious foundations, the
place was known as Monkchester; and the mother church of St. Nicholas is said to
have been erected upon a Roman temple; and St. Mary's Church at Gateshead is
said to be as old, if not older. {246} Pandon, now a part of Newcastle, was
peopled by Saxons, and was a Royal residence before 654 A.D.
Didron<<"Ichnography," i, p. 456.>> gives a Latin
sculpture, of the first ages, on which is represented a pair of callipers,
compasses, square, skirret, level, maul, chisel, and pen or stylus; an ordinary
set-square is often found as an amulet on Egyptian mummies. With the exception
of the first and last these comprise the symbolic tools of a Free-mason, and
though the plumb rule, 24 inch gauge, which is an old Egyptian emblem of Truth
and of Thoth, the perfect Ashlar, a symbol everywhere as ancient as Man, are
lacking, these are found on other Roman remains, with many other emblems, and
Masons' Marks of which mention has already been made.
In Masonic history special mention is made of Verulam, out
of the Roman remains of which St. Albans was built, and, it is said that the
town was walled round by Alban the Martyr. It is a legend which may have been
taken from some Monastic history by a Masonic lodge of the 13th century in that
place. Chichester had a College of Roman Artisans that erected a temple circa
46-52 A.D., and Masons' Marks are found in the remains of the city. In the year
114 Marius the British Pendragon, so named as the military chief of the great
golden Dragon-standard of Britain, executed a treaty with Tacitus by which Roman
law was to be recognised in such towns as might become Municipia or colonies;
and the garrisons of York, Chester, and Bangor were to be recruited from British
Volunteers; as Rome strengthened herself Christianity was tolerated, but
Druidism was prohibited. A quantity of Roman coins was found in the South-basin
at Chichester in 1819, and three with the following emblems: Nerva 96 A,D., two
joined hands, and "concordia execretus," encircling. Hadrian, 117 A.D., moon
and seven stars. Antonius Pius, 138 A.D., two joined hands, two ears of corn, "Cos
III."<<"Freemasonry in Havant," 892a, Thos. Francis.>> We might assume
that {247} Chichester in Sussex was the centre of the Roman fraternity, and
Verulam a branch. Upon St. Rook's hill is the remains of an ancient building
with entrenchments which during the last and the previous century was used as a
place of Masonic Assembly, and near this, at Lavant, are caves with a series of
chambers where a very curious copper level, intended to be worn, was
discovered.<<"A.Q.C.," 1898, W. H. Rylands.>>
York has a multitude of Roman remains dating from the time
of Adrian and Severus, 134-211 A.D., and later under Constantius. There was
discovered at Toft Green in 1770 beneath the foundation of a Roman temple of
brickwork a stone with this inscription, Deo sancto Serapi Templvm asolo
fecit Cl. Hieronymianus leg. vi. vic. -- "This temple, sacred to the god
Serapis, was erected, from the ground, by Claudius Hieronymianus, Lieutenant of
the sixth conquering legion." On each side of the inscription are two identical
ornaments which it is difficult to describe, each is of three circles with a
rod, or straight line drawn through them; the other is a peculiar trisula having
in its centre a star of six points; at the bottom is a circle with an
eight-pointed star in the centre, and in that a point. There was also found in
Micklegate in 1747 a piece of sculpture said to represent Mythras sacrificing a
bull; and in 1638 was found an altar erected to Jupiter by the Prefect Marcianus.
A semi-subterranean temple of Mythras was discovered in 1822 at Housesteads in
Northumberland, containing an Altar dedicated in 235 A.D., and there are other
remains in Chesterholm and Rutchester in the same county; at the latter place is
a recess hewn out of the solid rock, called the giant's grave, measuring 12 X 4
1/2 by 2 feet deep. At one end is a hole; this seems to resemble "St. Patrick's
hole," in Donegal. Several altars have been found in Cumberland and Westmorland
dedicated to Baalcadris. Acta Latamorum and Rebold give a very probable
explanation of the Masonic Legend of Verulam. Carausius caused himself to be
elected and proclaimed Emperor of Britain by the {248} Channel Fleet in 284
A.D., and braved all the efforts of Diocletian to dethrone him. He renewed the
privileges of the Collegia in their entirety as these had been much curtailed in
the course of centuries, and is therefore supposed to have appointed Albanus as
his Inspector. An inscription to Carausius was found at Carlisle in 1894, and
his coins are numerous. He was assassinated at York in 295 A.D., and
Constantius Chlorus took up his residence there, and confirmed the privileges of
the Guilds or Collegia. Brother Giles F. Yates states that an old MS. of the
life of St. Alban, the proto-martyr, in British characters was found in the
tenth century, and Matthew Paris refers to a book of great antiquity as existing
in the Monastery of St. Albans.
Britain had clearly attained architectural distinction in
the time of Carausius and was able to send competent men to instruct the Gauls,
for Eumenius, the panegyrist of Maximium, congratulates the Emperor on behalf of
the city of Autin, which he informs us was renovated by architects from this
country, in the following words: "It has been well stored with Artificers since
your victories over the Britains, whose provinces abound with them, and
now by their workmanship the city of Autin rises in splendour by rebuilding
their ancient houses, the erection of public works, and the instauration of
temples. The ancient name of a Roman brotherhood which they long since enjoyed
is again restored by having your Imperial Majesty as their second founder."<<"Paneg.
Maximian Aug. dict." -- Oliver's "Remains," iii, and v; also "Masonic
Mirror," 1855, p. 32.>>
Christian architecture, however, is not much in evidence
until Saxon times, though the "new superstition," as the Romans termed it, is
said to have entered Glastonbury in the Apostleship of Joseph of Arimathea.
Welsh historians assert that Christianity was accepted in a National Council
held by King Lucius A.D. 155, when the Archdruids of Evroc, Lud, and Leon,
became Archbishops and the Chief Druids of 28 cities became bishops. It is
{249} further asserted that of the British captives carried to Rome, Claudia and
Pudens are addressed by name in the Gospel. King Lucius is said to have been
educated at Rome by St. Timotheus, the son of Claudia, to have been proclaimed
King in the year 125, and to have been baptised by Timotheus 155 A.D.; after
which he proceeded to erect churches at Winchester; Llandaff; St. Peter's,
London; and St. Martin's, Canterbury; the faith was then styled Regius Domus, or
Royal house. British history says that at this time there were in existence 59
magnificent cities, and numberless handsome residences. Of Monasteries the
Triads say: There are three perpetual Choirs in the Isle of Britain -- Great
Bangor, Caer-Salog (Salisbury), Avillon (Glastonbury); the first named was
munificently endowed by King Lucius; it covered a square of five miles, had
10,000 teachers, and every graduate had to learn some profession, art, or
business. Minucius Felix comments upon the absence of temples and altars
amongst the Christians of the 3rd century, and of the uselessness of such works
in honour of an all embracing Deity, and then says: "Is it not far better to
consecrate to the Deity a temple in our heart and spirit?" It was not until
about the year 270 that Christians were allowed to assemble in buildings of
their own at Rome, and these appear to have been first erected in imitation of
the "Scholae" or Lodge rooms, of the artizans, but in Britain there was but one
year's persecution of the Christians, when Socrates, Archbishop of York, the
Bishop of St. Albans, and others lost their lives. About the year 300 church
was erected at Verulam over the martyred body of St. Alban, which Bede says was
a handsome structure; and Tanner says that there was a church at Winchester,
dedicated to Amphibalus who converted him. There was an Archbishop of York at
this time, for Eborius in the year 3I4 attended the Council of Arles in Gaul and
is described as Episcopus de civitate Eboracum Provincia Brit. The same
Council was attended by Restitus of {250} London, and Adifius of Caerleon on Usk,
which is Lincoln.
These Christian Britains -- monks, priests, and bishops,
were known as Culdees, servants of God; they established Monasteries and
Churches in various parts of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, and there is
no doubt that many of them were converts from the Druidical faith; in these
countries they opened Colleges, and Schools where handicrafts, arts, sciences,
and religion were taught to the people. Their faith was heretical according to
the standard which the Church of Rome had adopted after the succession of
Constantine, and they were what Cardinal J. H. Newman terms Platonising
Christians, or of the esoteric Arcane Discipline. They believed in the
immortality of the soul, but not in the Jewish doctrine of a resurrection of the
material body, which was the teaching of Judaising Christians. They are also
accused of denying the existence of a personal devil, and the personality of
Jesus, in which case they were Gnostics, but the reader may refer back to the
subject in Chapter VI. St. Patrick is said to have been born a Druid and to
have left Dumbarton for Ireland in the year 432. Both ancients and moderns
charge them with possessing a secret doctrine, and when in 589 Columban went to
Burgundy with 12 companions from Ireland (as Columba had previously done in 561
to Icolmkili, the Arcane Mystery gave offence; the King demanded of him, why, as
in his own country, "access to their secret enclosures was not granted to all
Christians," upon which the Culdee sternly replied, that if he sought to destroy
the Cenobia of God his kingdom would assuredly perish. This mission founded the
Abbey of Luxeville, and others in France and Italy. In England their principal
seat was York, in Wales Bangor, in Ireland Donegal, in Scotland the Hebrides.
Those Masons who possess intuition, and the faculty of reading between the lines
of such writers as we have quoted, will perceive that Philosophy found it
essential, and safe, to openly embrace Christianity, whilst secretly conforming
{251} to their old ideals, had it been necessary we could have given plain proof
of this. Even Eusebius says: "In order to render Christianity more acceptable
to the Gentiles, the priests adopted the exterior vestments and ornaments used
in the Pagan culte." Philosophy thus secured the survival of its secrets, hence
we find the 12 sons of Jacob assimilated to the Zodiacal signs; and much Gnostic
symbolism is found in church architecture -- lions, serpents, and things to be
named in due course.
The Rev. W. L. Alexander in writing upon "Iona" says that
whilst the Roman armies were harrying the Druids at Anglesea there was a College
of them in the Scottish islands situated 56 Degrees 59' N.L. designated
lnnis-nan-Druid-neach -- the Isle of the Druids -- and that that priesthood
prevailed over all the other islands until the year 563-4 when Colum or Columba
arrived with 12 companions who were continued in that number till after ages.
It is said that there existed there certain Druidical priests who professed to
be Christians in the hope of inducing Columb to withdraw, and after the
settlement of Columb and his friends, the island began to he known as
li-cholum-chille -- the island of Columbus' Cell, corrupted to Icolmkill,
and we have also li-shona -- the holy island, corrupted to Iona.
We may now say something in reference to the construction
of their churches. Prior to the 5th century, all Christian churches were after
the model of the ancient temples of Egypt divided into three parts, and which
corresponded with the secret or esoteric doctrine; and we need have no doubt
that the emblematical significance of the architecture was a "close tyled"
Mystery of the Initiated builders, and that as in the ancient temples, they were
built to symbolise a spiritual doctrine, which ordinary Christians were
unacquainted with. The first part, or Ante-temple, was for the
Catechumens, disciples, and penitents; the second part or Nave was for
the lay members and the faithful; the third part or Sanctuary was a
semi-circular recess with an arched roof, raised above {252} the floor by steps;
it represents the Sanctuary of the ancient gods, open only to the priests;
within it was the throne of the Bishop which was usually veiled, and placed
besides it were smaller thrones for the Clergy; in the centre of this most holy
place was the altar. In Gothic buildings, of a later date, this part is called
the Chancel and was separated by a Rood-screen of carved wood or
other material; and it is remarkable that the carvers, at times, took great
liberties with the Monks and priests, in the representation of their vices.
There is even much recondite symbolism to be found on the outer walls of such
buildings. The Secret Discipline, at these early dates, regulated the symbology
of the edifices, and the Vesica-piscis, so often found on ancient
temples, and churches of all eras, is held to be the great secret of
constructive measurements, and, as has been stated, the Sign of the Epopts both
in Philosophy and Christianity.
In regard to early erections, a small church of rough
stone was raised at Peranzabulae in Cornwall about the year 400 by the Culdee
Pirau an Irish saint, over whose tomb was found an equilimbed cross of the Greek
form, when the building was disinterred in 1835, after having been covered over
for ten centuries. Thong Castle in Lincolnshire was erected for the Saxons
about the year 450, it must have been a British labour. A church of stone was
erected at Candida Casa, by the Culdee bishop Ninian 488 A.D.; and Matthew of
Westminster tells us that the British King Aurelius Ambrosius, who slew the
Saxon Hengist at Conisborough in 466, repaired the churches, travelling to and
fro for that purpose, and sent for Cementarii or Masons, and Lignarii, or
Carpenters. Legends state that he erected Stonehenge with blocks brought from
Ireland by the engineering skill of Merlin, and that both himself and his
brother Uther the Pendragon were buried within its circle (but Norman Lockyer
examining it as a Planetarium, dates it, by the Sun, at 1680 B.C.); he defeated
Hengist's sons at York in 490. In 524 Arthur son of Uther, defeated the Saxons,
and at {253} Christmas of that year he held a Council at York to consider
ecclesiastical affairs, and methods were taken to restore the churches and the
ruined places at York, which had been occasioned by his wars to expel the
Saxons. Though Arthur the Pendragon is alleged to have been buried at
Glastonbury the legends of the Prince seem to belong chiefly to Cumberland and
the adjacent parts, which formed the Kingdom of the Strathclyde Britains; the
names used in the Romances of his Round Table and in the connected tales, are
Cambrian, and Blase of Northumberland is said to have registered his doings.
Denton says that near St. Cuthbert's Church, Carlisle, in Cumberland, "stood an
ancient building called Arthur's chamber, taken to be part of the mansion house
of Arthur, the son of Uter Pendragon, of memorable note for his worthiness in
the time of antient Kings."<<Quoted in "Hist. Cumb." by Wm. Hutchinson,
1794. ii, p. 606.>> The Prince was no doubt a Romanised Briton, though his name
does not belong to the Celtic language, and that he was a real person who strove
to unite the British Christians against the Saxons is beyond serious question.
The allegorical history of the Round-table, and the Knights' "Quest of the
Sangrael," or cup of the blood of Christ, is supposed to refer, in mystic terms,
to Culdee rites; and in spite of the efforts of Rome the Culdee culte continued
to exist in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland down to the Norman conquest,
and, in places, until long afterwards. At Caerleon on Usk were two churches,
and an important Culdee "College of two hundred Philosophers learned in
Astronomy, and in all the sciences and the arts."
It is more than probable that the peculiarities of the
Culdee system arose from the engraftation of Druidical beliefs upon the
Christian faith. Many learned writers have sought to derive Free Masonry both
from a Druidical and Culdee establishment. The latter is not at all improbable
for one of the branches. The following may be pointed out at random: -- The
custom of symbolising Craft officers by the sun and moon; for the Arch {254}
Druid bore the sun and crescent moon on his head dress, whilst the Bard was
designated by the crescent moon, equally the tonsure of a Culdee Monk went from
ear to ear, in crescent, as opposed to the coronial tonsure of the Romans. A
Culdee origin has also been claimed for the Templars, and the modern ceremonies
of that body commemorate the 13 of Iona.
St. Cibi's, as asserted by Sir John Stanley, was founded
in 550 on a Roman temple at Holyhead. It was, however, rebuilt temp.
Edward III., and again in the reign of Henry VII.
Toland says that the Druidical College of Derry was
converted into a Culdee Monastery. About the year 561 Columba and twelve
companions left Ireland to build the Monastery of Icolmkill, and Masonic legend
assigns the lectures of the Mastership of Harodim to this Monastery; they
founded Colleges at Govan and Kilwinning; and Aidan, one of the twelve,
established the original Abbey of Melrose. The fraternity had other
establishments in Scotland; at Abernethy; St. Serf in Lochleven; Dunkeld; St.
Andrews; Moneymusk in Aberdeenshire; Dunblane; Dunfermline; and Aberdeen. Their
establishment at Brechin has left a cylinder or Round Tower of unknown date. At
each side of the western entrance, near an ancient gateway, is carved in relief
an elephant having the feet of a lion and a horse. Brother R. Tytler, M.D., in
a paper read before the Antiquarian Society of Scotland,<<Vide "Freem. Quart.,"
1834.>> makes a precise comparison between this and an astronomical allegory, in
like situation, in various Hindu temples. Above this carving is an apparently
later crucifixion scene with two Monks. It is said that during the life of
Columba 100 monasteries were erected, and the Irish claim to have sent
architects to Britain some centuries before this time.
The voyage of Bran, son of Febal (a MS. of 1100), to the
Island of Joy, or the Land of the Living, is attributed to Adamnan, Abbot of
Ionia, who died in 703; it mentions {255} nine grades of heaven in three steps,
and that a fiery circle surrounds the land of the blessed. The throne is a
canopied chair with four columns of precious stones, and beneath it are seven
glassen walls. The sect in England had seats at Lindisfarne, York, and Ripon.
Mr. Grant Allen in his Anglo-Saxon Britain (1884) says:
"It is possible that the families of Craftsmen may at first have been Romanised
Welsh inhabitants of the cities, for all the older towns -- London, Canterbury,
York, Lincoln, and Rochester -- were almost certainly inhabited without
interruption from the Roman period onward."
The Roman law, and therefore the Guilds or Collegia, never
became extinct in any place where the Romans had once had a footing. They
entered Germany with the sack of Rome by the Goths, a country unconquered by
arms. Alaric II. of the Wisegoths, 484-507, commissioned Roman Jurists to
compile a code on the basis of the Lex Theodosii which was adopted by all Gaul.
Theodrich the Ostragoth in the year 500 promulgated a similar code, which aimed
at fusing Roman and Goth into one people. A third compilation of Roman law
called the Burgundian Lex Romano was promulgated about the year 520 by
Sigmund. <<"Arminius," Thos. Smith, F.S.A.. London, 1861.>> It follows
from this that, so far from the Roman Collegia being extinguished with the
Empire, they spread throughout Germany. Smith further says: "These Colleges are
evidently the Guilds of the Middle ages; in the Roman Disciple we may detect the
modern Apprentice, and in the hereditary obligation to follow a particular
trade, we may discern the origin of freedom by birth, or by servitude, in
Corporate towns. The leading idea in Roman institutions was Municipal. Every
franchise was the result of belonging to some College, and we thus infer that
the franchise of Cities owe their origin to Rome. Thus to the Municipia of
Rome, not to German institutions, are to be ascribed the origin and form of the
Municipal Corporations of the middle ages."<<"Arminius," Thos. Smith,
F.S.A.. London, 1861.>>
Apropos of this quotation is the existence of the Magistri
{256} Comacenes, settled near the lake of Como, who hired themselves out to
build for the Lombards and are mentioned by the Rev. Charles Kingsley.<<"Roman
and Teuton," 1891, Lec. x. p. 253.>> They are supposed to have fled to a
small island on Lake Como, on the sack of Rome by the Goths, where they kept
alive the ancient rules of their art, whence was developed the various Italian
Styles, the Norman, and the Saxon. Not only was their organisation that of the
Collegia but the ornamentation of their architectural work. They venerated the
Four crowned Martyrs, and were divided into Scolia or Apprentices; Laborerium,
operii or those who did the actual work; the Opera or Fabbrica, or the Magistri
who designed and taught the others. Leader Scott quotes an Edict of the Lombard
King Rotharis, dated 22nd Nov., 643, conferring privileges on the Magistri
Comacini, and the Colligantes, and this when they had been long established.
She also quotes an inscribed stone of 712 to shew that they had then Magistri
and Discipula under a Gastaldo or Grand Master and that the same terms were kept
up in Lombardy, amongst Free Masons, until the 15th century, and it is known
that St. William, Abbot of Benigne in Dijon, a Lombard by birth, brought in his
countrymen to build his monastery, and that Richard II., Duke of Normandy,
employed this architect for 20 years in like work.<<The "Cathedral Builders,"
Leader Scott, 1899, London.>> It is not so difficult to connect Freemasonry
with the Collegia, the difficulty lies in attributing Jewish traditions to the
Collegia, and we say on the evidence of the oldest charges that such traditions
had no existence in Saxon times.
"In this darkness which extended over all Italy, only one
small lamp remained alight, making a bright spark in the vast Italian
Necropolis. It was from the Magistri Comacini. Their respective names
are unknown, their individual works unspecialised, but the breath of their
spirit might be felt all through those centuries, and their name collectively is
legion. We may safely say that of all the {257} works of art between 800 and
1000, the greater and better part are due to that brotherhood -- always faithful
and often secret -- of the 'Magistri Comacini.' (J. A. Llorente, Hist.
of the Inquisition; London 1826. I. Maestri Comacini; Milano 1893.)
The conquest of Rome, by the Teutonic nations, led to a
great extension of the Christian Monasteries, during the 5th and 6th centuries,
and these were usually placed in quiet or inaccessible situations, the better to
escape from the tumults of the times. Here libraries were established and the
ancient learning found a resting place. This led to the cultivation of the
Mystical and the spiritual in man, and it may be observed that the term Mystic
is derived from the rank of Mystae in the Mysteries, even as the term "Mystery"
was adopted by trade Guilds to mean their art, and "closed lips."
Stowe says that in the 7th or 8th century the walls of
London were rebuilt by Benedictine Monks brought from Birkenhead. The founder
of this brotherhood was St. Benedict, born at Nursia in Umbria about A.D. 480;
he went to Monte Cassino, 530, afterwards the centre of his order, and there
composed his rule, which entered England between the 6th and 7th century.
Archdeacon Prescott says: "The finest Abbeys, and nearly all the Cathedrals,
belonged to the order."
About the year 597 Augustine came over to England from the
Church of the Quatuor Coronati at Rome. His instruction from Pope Gregory was:
"Destroy the idols, never the temples; sprinkle them with holy water, place in
them relics, and let the nations worship in the places accustomed." He is said
to have brought over Roman Masons, and a further number in the year 601; he died
in 605. It has been supposed that he built the Church of the Four crowned
Martyrs at Canterbury, which is mentioned casually by Bede in 619. This
introduction of Masons from Rome is usually taken to prove that the building
fraternities had become extinct in this country, but it does no such thing.
There was no doubt a scarcity {258} of capable men amongst the Saxons for the
work which the Romish Saint had in view, but we cannot altogether rely upon the
good faith of their historians, nor are we at all justified in assuming that the
native British Masons, Carpenters, and the building fraternities derived from
the Romano-heathen population were extinct, and we have proofs to the contrary
in the Culdee erections of St. Peter at York in 626, and in the Culdee
establishment at Lindisfarne in the year 634 by Aidan, a Monk of Icolmkill in
Iona; and in the "Holy Island" St. Cuthbert was interred before the City of
Durham existed. There lies, behind, the fact that Rome considered all British
Christianity as heretical, and all the successors of Augustine followed his
role, with the unsuccessful object of wholly destroying Culdee influence. Bede
informs us that the British Christians refused either to live, or eat, with the
Augustinians, and they replied to a demand for obedience: "We owe obedience only
to God, and after God to our venerable head, the Bishop of Caerleon-on-Uske."
Bede complains also that Monasteries had been established by laymen with
themselves as Abbots, whilst still continuing married relations with their
wives, a Culdee custom, sanctioned by example of Bishop Synesius. He says also
that a Martyrium of the "four blessed Coronati" existed at Canterbury 619-24.
The British Pendragons seem to have kept the Saxons in
check, but they were able to destroy Bangor in the year 607. Deira was strongly
reinforced by Angles from the Saxon coast, and King Edwin solicited from his
friend Caswallon, the British Pendragon, that he might assume the regal crown as
Bretwalda, but Caswallon refused his sanction, on the ground that there was "one
sole crown of Britain." Kemble says that, "The Saxons neither took possession
of the towns, nor gave themselves the trouble of destroying them." The
Heptarchial princelings and their villagers were Pagans, and exercised but small
influence. Pope Boniface IV. is credited with the grant {259} of privileges in
614 to those architects who had the erection of sacred buildings.
In 616 Ethelbert King of Kent built the Church of St.
Peter, and St. Paul, at Canterbury, upon the site of a small church erected by
the early Britains; also the church of St. Andrew in Rochester; and he is
thought to have restored St. Paul's in London, erected on the site of a temple
to Diana, though other writers suppose it to have been built within the area of
what was the Roman Pretorian Camp in the time of Constantine. Siebert King of
the West Saxons, in 630, built the Monastery of Westminster, on the site of a
Temple to Apollo, and it was repaired in the next century by Offa King of Mercia.
About the middle of this century, say 650, an Irish saint of the name of Bega
established a small Nunnery at the place now called St. Bees in Cumberland, then
a British port, and a church was erected afterwards in her honour.
The Romans had a temple at Teignmouth, and here an
important Priory was erected. In the reign of Edwin over Yorkshire, Durham, and
Northumbria, circa 626, a wooden edifice was erected here, similar to Aidan's
Church at Lindisfarne, and was followed by a church of stone erected by his
successor St. Oswald, circa 663. After it had been destroyed by the Danes, it
was restored by Ecgfrid, in the 15th year of whose reign the neighbouring church
at Jarrow was dedicated, and which, with that of Wearmouth, is in the diocese of
Hexham.
In the year 675, Benedict Biscop is said to have brought
over from France skilled Masons to erect the Monastery at Jarrow. At the same
date Wilfrid founded Ripon, Hexham, and Ely, bringing Masons from Rome or Italy
and France. King Ina also rebuilt Glastonbury; and William of Malmesbury
informs us that it possessed a sapphire of inestimable value, perhaps the origin
of the legend of the Graal cup. The same writer says: "In the pavement are
stones designedly laid in triangles and squares, and fixed with lead, under
which if I believe some sacred enigma to be enshrined I do no injustice to {260}
religion"; he also alludes to two pyramidical structures in the churchyard.
Anglo-Saxon building, sometimes of wood, and then of
stone, continued upon their gradual conversion to Christianity. In 643 Kenweath
of Wessex "bade timber the old Minster of Winchester." In 654 "Botulf began to
build a Monastery at Icambo" (Boston). In 657, Penda of Mercia and Oswin of
Northumbria built a Monastery at Medeshamstede (Peterborough). Oswin built six
in Deira. In 669 Echbert of Kent gave "Reculver to Bass, the Mass-priest, to
build a Monastery." In 669 St. Ethelreda "began the Monastery at Ely." Before
735, religious houses existed at Lastringham, Melrose, Lindisfarne, Whithern,
Bardney, Gilling, Bury, Ripon, Chertsey, Barking, Abercorn, Selsey, Redbridge,
Aldingham, Towcester, Hackness, and several other places. The Irish Monks were
active abroad; in 582 St. Peter's Convent at Salzburg was erected by Rudbert.
About 610, convents at Costnitz and Augsburg erected by Edumban. About 606,
convents at Regenburg under Rudbert. About 740, convents at Eichstadt under the
Irish monk Wildwald. As to military architecture we read that Edward, the
father of Athelstan, had twenty fortresses between Colchester, Manchester, and
Chester. Why then should we dispute the existence of such Guilds as are
shadowed in our ancient Masonic MSS.? Professor Freeman says that St. Mary le
Wigford Church was built by Coleswegan.
Ælfred, brother of Ecfrid King of Northumberland,
sojourned in Ireland to acquire from the Monks the learning of the period, and
on the death of Ecfrid, in 685, he was recalled to succeed him, but it is very
doubtful whether the Britons recognised these Saxons as Kings, until Egbert
became Bretwalda in the year 824. In 690 Theodore, Bishop of Canterbury,
erected King's School in that city. In 716 Ethelbald built Croyland in
Lincolnshire. Of this period a series of drawings exist amongst the Cottonian
MSS. in the British Museum, and have been engraved for the Freemasons'
Magazine, scenes in the {261} life of St. Guthlac; one of these represents
him in the act of building his chapel. The Saint is hoisting up material to a
Mason who is laying a stone at the top of the building; near the Saint is a
stone-cutter who is hewing the stone into shape with an axe. We shall see later
that a chisel was used in Norman times,
and soon after a claw-adze. Although the Arch had its origin
in high antiquity, and is said to have been found in Babylonian remains near
10,000 years old, preference was given in early English church architecture to
the straight lintel of the Pagan temples, then Arches followed, but it was not
until the 10th century that vaulted roofs came into use, and soon spread over
the whole of Europe. As early as the 8th century the English Monk, St. Boniface
or Winifrid, established in Germany a special class of Monks for the practice of
building, with the grades of Operarii or Craftsmen, and Magistri operum or
Masters of Work. Some of these acted as designers, others as painters or
sculptors, others wrought in gold and silver embroidery, and others were
Cementarii or Stone Masons: occasionally it was necessary to employ laymen under
their superintendence.<<Ludwig Steiglitz, quoted by Mackey.>>
The church of York, erected in 626, was damaged by fire in
741, and Archbishop Egbert began a new church. About the year 793 Offa King of
Mercia erected the Monastery of St. Albans near the old Roman Verulam, and in
the Cottonian Library is a picture, also engraved for the Freemasons'
Magazine, shewing him in the act of giving instructions to his Master Mason,
who has the square and compasses in hand; a Mason on the top is using a
plumb-rule, whilst another is setting a stone; below are two Masons squaring
stones with an axe. These drawings are by Matthew of Paris about the year
1250. Offa before beginning this work made a journey to Rome by way of France,
and Brother C. C. Howard, of Picton, supposes that he brought Masons thence for
his work. At Lyminge in Kent there is an old church built upon a {262} Roman
Basilica by Saxon Masons; it is noteworthy as having an old Roman sun-dial built
into the south wall of the Nave by St. Dunstan circa 965. It may be noted here
that in recent times a bronze square and compasses were dug up at Corfu, along
with coins and vessels of the 8th and 9th centuries.
The Romans seem not to have had a settlement at Durham,
and we do not hear of the place during the time of the Saxon Heptarchy. The
Bishop's See was founded at Lindisfarne as early as 635. In 883 the Bishop and
his clergy took up their abode at the Roman Chester-le-Street, where they
remained with the body of St. Cuthbert until 995, when the Danes caused them to
take up their wanderings with the body of that Saint. In 999 Aldune the Bishop
caused the Cathedral to be erected, and ere 90 years had passed this small
edifice gave place to the present stately fabric.
During all this period the Saxons had a Guild system in
full operation; and the old laws of Alfred, Ina, and Athelstan reproduce still
older laws acknowledging the Guilds. The old Brito-Roman cities must have
continued their Guilds during these centuries, even whilst the Saxons were
making laws on the subject, and establishing new ones on the old lines. The
laws of Ina, 688-725, touch upon the liability of a Guild, in the case of
killing a thief. In 824 England had absorbed Britain and Saxon under Egbert,
and the latter had become the ruling element. These Guilds exacted an Oath of
secrecy for the preservation of trade "Mysteries," and obedience to the laws.
The Judicia Civitatis were ordinances to preserve the social life of Guilds, of
the time of Athelstan. A law of Edgar, 959-75, ordains that "every priest for
increase of knowledge shall diligently learn some handicraft," but this was only
enforcing old Culdee customs. There is said to be a letter of the 9th century,
written by Eric of Auxerre to Charles the Bald of France, in praise of certain
Irish philosophers, who, as "servants of the wise Solomon," were visiting France
under the King's protection, who "for {263} the instruction of his countrymen,"
attracted thither Greeks and Irishmen. This probably refers to the erection of
Aixe-la-Chapelle by his grandfather Charlemagne. It was introduced into the
Irish Masonic Calendar by the late Brother Michael Furnivall, and has created an
impression that there existed in Ireland at this period some Society analogous
to the Sons of Solomon in France, which we shall mention shortly. St. Werberg
at Chester is said to be erected on the site of a Saxon Church as old as 845.
About the year 850 Ethelwolf, King and Bretwalda, is said
to have employed St. Swithin to repair the pious houses. The Danes burnt
Croyland Monastery in 874 and slew Abbot Theodore at the altar steps. Alfred
the Great, about 872, fortified and rebuilt many towns, and founded the
University of Oxford. In 865, and again in 870, the Priory of Teignmouth, where
the Nuns of Hartlepool had taken refuge, was destroyed by the Danes and again
rebuilt.
It is certain that in these times, a large number of
timber structures were erected; it was a style of building which admitted of
rough stone and rubble work, and was equally common both in England and France.
This is probably the reason why our ancient Constitutions state, as they
do, that the original designation of the Fraternity was Geometry, which was as
necessary in buildings of wood as of stone, and is some evidence of the
antiquity of these ancient MSS. An authority maintains that later erections of
stone, by the Saxons, were influenced by this style, as in the use of stone
buttresses in imitation of timber beams, and in window balustres or pillars made
to imitate work turned in a lathe.<<"Freems. Mag.," J. F. Parker, F.S.A.,
1861. iv, p. 183.>> Doubtless many of the churches burnt by the Danes were of
wood, and rebuilt of stone. In Constantinople, and the East generally, wooden
structures continue, and are preferred to stone.
In the year 915 Sigebert, King of the East Angles, began
the erection of the University of Cambridge, which was completed by Ethelward
the brother of King Edward {264} the elder. This latter erected many
considerable works and fortifications, repairing, says Holinshed, in 920, the
city of Manchester, defaced by the wars of the Danes. He was succeeded by his
elder, but illegitimate, son, Athelstan, who is said in the oldest MS.
Constitution to have "built himself churches of great honour, wherein to worship
his God with all his might." Anderson says that Athelstan rebuilt Exeter,
repaired the old Culdee church at York, and also built many castles in the old
Northumbrian Kingdom to check the Danes; also the Abbey of St. John at Beverley;
and Melton Abbey in Dorsetshire. If for the advancement and improvement of
architecture this King granted an actual charter to York, he would naturally do
the same to Winchester, in which city he fixed his royal residence; and there we
find architecture flourishing. Few Saxon specimens of architecture now exist;
there is the tower of Earl's Barton Church, Lincolnshire; Sempling in Sussex;
St. Michael's in Oxford.
A fine specimen of military architecture of the period is
Castle Rushen in Man. It is believed to have been begun by King Orry and
completed by his son Guthred, circa 960; it resembles so closely one at Elsinore
in Denmark that they are both supposed to be by the same architect. The one in
Man is built of the limestone of the district, and is in a state of perfect
preservation; the elements have had no effect upon the stone, owing to a hard,
glass-like glaze, admitting of a high polish, from which it may be inferred that
the military architects were acquainted with some chemical secrets that remain a
secret to this day.
In 942 Odo, Archbishop of Canterbury began the restoration
of his Cathedral; it was afterwards much injured by the Danes in 1011, and King
Canute ordered its restoration; again it suffered by fire in 1043. In the time
of Ethelworth and St. Dunstan, who was a Benedictine Monk, Anderson says, 26
pious houses were erected, and under Edgar 48 pious houses. Between 963-84,
{265} Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester, erected 40 Monasteries, and is styled the
"Constructor," of his Cathedral church. Edgar, in 969, at the instance of
Dunstan, repaired Westminster Abbey church. In 974, Ednoth, a Monk of
Winchester, superintended the erection of Romsay Abbey church. From 977-81,
Ælfric, Abbot of Malmesbury, is said to have been skilful in architecture.
There is a charter of King Æthelred of the year 994 which
describes the Deity in Masonic terms as "Governor of the bright pole and
Architect of the great ethereal design . . . .of the world, unexpressibly
placing in order the Fabric." Another of King Canute uses the same
preface.<<Thorpe's "English Charters," 1865.>> The paucity of
Anglo-Saxon remains prevents our dealing largely with their Masonic Symbolism.
There is, however, a bronze seal of Ælfric Duke of Mercia, 992, with the legend
" Zigillum Ælfrici
 ," thus placing the cross, and the square and
compasses in juxtaposition.<<"Freem. Mag.," I855, p. 509.>> De Caumont
mentions a sarcophagus, of this period, which bears a cross within a circle, and
two levels placed sideways.
With the close of the year 1000 A.D. a great impulse was
given to church building, as a feeling prevailed that this year would see the
end of the world. When the panic had passed the Christian nations in
thankfulness began building. The Danes had caused great havoc in this country,
and especially at York, and had even revived heathen rites, which Canute
proclaimed in the year 1030. There is no reason to suppose that these wars
extinguished the building fraternities, and Canute in 1020 erected a stone
Minster at Assingdon, and also repaired the Minsters throughout England, as we
are informed by William of Malmesbury. Leofric Earl of Coventry, circa 1050,
built the Abbey of that City and 12 pious houses. King Edward the Confessor
rebuilt Westminster Abbey, devoting to the work a tenth of all his substance.
Of this reign there was a curious inscription at Kirkdale, W.R. Yorkshire, which
says that Orin, son of Gemel, rebuilt the {266} church; Chelittle was architect,
assisted by Howard and Brand the Priest. Yorkshire being strong in the Danish
element, Mason's Marks are often Runic letters.
Remains of Saxon architecture yet exist in the churches of
Jarrow; Monkwearmouth (both Biscop's 681); at Repton, Co. Derby (875); Ripon,
Hexham, York (in Crypts); Earls Barton, and Barnick, Co. Northampton; Barton on
Humber; Sompting, Co. Sussex; Caversfield; Deerhurst, Brixworth, etc. It is
well known that the Tower of Babel was one of the most ancient traditions of
Masonry, and there is an old Saxon MS. which represents it in course of erection
with the Saxon pick, and on the top step of a very tall ladder is the Master
Mason giving the hailing sign of a Craftsman yet used, whilst behind him, on the
same level, is the angel with drawn sword; a copy of it in Cassells' History of
England, of the year 1901, can readily be examined. It is said that the keep of
Arundel Castle dates from Saxon times, but the chief entrance is a fine Norman
doorway.
Mr. James Ferguson says that in these times the working
bands of Masons served under Bishop, Abbot, or Priest, and this continued down
to the 13th century. In travelling from one place to another their costume was
a short black, or grey, tunic open at the sides, to which a gorget, or cowl or
hood was attached; round the waist was a leathern girdle from which depended a
short, heavy sword, and a leathern satchel. Over the tunic they wore a black
scapulary, similar to that worn by the priests, which they tucked up under the
girdle when working. They had large straw or felt hats; tight leather breeches,
and long boots. Attached to the Monasteries were Oblali, who were
usually received as Monks, acted as serving brothers of the Masons, and whose
costume was similar to the travelling Masons, but without the cowl.
Owing to the fact that modern Free Masonry has always
looked to the North of England as its Mecca, inasmuch so that last century its
system was denominated "Ancient" York Masonry in opposition to the Grand {267}
Lodge of England organised in 1717, which was termed "Modern," we will retrace a
little in respect to this division of the old Saxon Heptarchy, which bore the
name of Deira, and extended from Humber to Forth, save the Western half which
was the Kingdom of the Stratchclyde Britons. It was these two portions which
continued to form the centre of Culdee influence, the capital of Deira being
York, and the centre of Ancient Masonry.
The city of York possesses numerous remains of the Roman
occupation, which the early Christians converted to the use of the Church. The
Monastery of the Begging Friars is known to have been a temple dedicated to the
Egyptian Serapis, and we have already mentioned the inscription to Serapis
discovered at Toft Green in 1770. In this City the British Legionaries, on the
death of Constantius Chlorus, raised his son Constantine, surnamed the Great, on
their shields, and proclaimed him Emperor 25th July, 306. The Culdee King
Arthur is believed to have occupied and repaired it in 522.
It is considered that the Crypt of York Minster affords
evidence of the progress of Masonry from Brito-Roman times to Saxon occupation.
The Crypt has a Mosaic pavement of blue and white tiles, laid after the form
used in the 1st Degree of Masonry; it shews the sites of three stone altars and
such triplication was of Egyptian derivation; but these stone altars are also
said to have had seats which were used by the Master and his Wardens who met
here, after the manner related by Synesius of the Priests of Egypt, as a sacred
and secret place, during the construction of the edifice. It is known that the
Craft occasionally met in this Crypt during last century, and the alleged
Masonic custom of meeting in Crypts elsewhere is no doubt founded in fact.
As the Christian worship at York was of Culdee origin, so
the veneration paid to Mistletoe was derived from the Druids. The learned
Brother Dr. Wm. Stukeley has this passage in his Medallic History of
Carducius: "The {268} custom is still preserved, and lately at York on the
eve of Christmas Day they carry mistletoe to the high altar of the Cathedral and
proclaim a public and universal liberty, pardon, and freedom to all sorts of
inferior and even wicked people at the gates of the city towards the four
quarters of heaven."
It follows from what we have seen that the Roman Collegia
and the Mysteries of Serapis existed side by side at York, and amongst the
members of these it is no improbable thing to suppose -- after the close
connection which we have shewn to have existed in Egypt -- that there were
Brito-Romish Christians who established the Culdee fraternities at York, before
the days of Constantius Chlorus, about 2 1/2 centuries before King Arthur was in
possession of the city, and that these Culdees influenced the Masonic Collegia,
and the same remark equally applies to other cities of the time; and though
there is no absolute proof that York was the first centre of Culdee influence in
the North, yet everything lends itself to that supposition. Every circumstance
gives weight to the statements of the old Northern Constitutions of Masonry,
that, as Associates in Geometry, it was of Greco-Roman derivation from Egypt;
and that when it was thought fit to reorganise the Fraternity of Artisans, the
Craft produced MSS. in Greek, Latin, and British, which it is said were "found
to be all one "; and through this descent we reach those Sodalites which studied
in Symbols, Geometry, Science, and Theosophy in their home at Alexandria.
When we examine the MSS. which embody the ancient Laws of
Freemasonry we find that their historical statements and organisation are as
much in agreement as their ceremonies were, with the Arcane and Mystic schools.
Nor is this to be wondered at since the Culdee Monks were equally Serapians,
Christians, and the Schoolmasters who taught science and religion to the
people. As the Colleges of Artisans, which were introduced by the Romans as
early as 46 A.D., ceased to exist in the lapse {269} of years, if ever they did
cease to exist, which is very improbable, the members became attached to the
Culdee Monasteries and transmitted, through this alliance, their traditional art
secrets, and as the priests had their own version of the ancient Mysteries, they
understood that which the Masonic MSS. imply.
It is an historical fact that the early Culdee priests
were sometimes educated in Rome, and that they were converted Druidical
Initiates; generally speaking it must have been so. Toland says that in
Ireland, Columba, the follower of St. Patrick, converted the Druidical
Sanctuaries into Christian Monasteries.<<Toland, i, 1726, p. 8.>> He also
provides us with a theory to explain the preservation of the Masonic
Constitutions in rhyme in this, that with the absorption of Druidism, which was
prohibited by Rome, into Christianity, it was found necessary to frame new
Regulations for the Bards and Minstrels. Accordingly in 537 an assembly was
held at Drumcat in modern Londonderry, at which was present the King Ammerius,
Aidus King of Scotland, and the Culdee Columba, when it was resolved that, for
the preservation of learning, the Kings and every Lord of a Cantred or Hundred,
should have a Bard, and that schools should be endowed under the supervision of
the Arch-poet of the King.<<Ibid, p. 4.>> Thierry<<"Norman Conquest.">>
states that when Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmorland, circa 1138, formed
part of Scotland, the Anglo-Saxon traditions were preserved by the Minstrels,
and that from thence the old English poetry, although obsolete in places
inhabited by the Normans, again made itself heard in a later age.
The oldest version of the Constitutional Charges is in
poetical form, and was first printed by Mr. James Orchard Halliwell, who
considers it to be a copy written in the latter part of the 14th century.
Recently a copy has been printed in fine facsimile, with a most valuable
Commentary by Brother Robert Freke Gould, P.M. 2076, who conferred upon it its
present name of "Regius MS." He {270} adduces strong evidence for our belief
that this version of Masonry may have been patronised by the Culdee Monks of
York, and that the system actually dates from the time of Edwin King of Deira,
who was converted to Christianity in the year 626 and for whose baptism a small
church or Oratory was constructed of wood, completed by St. Oswald in 642, and
repaired by Bishop Wilfrid in 669.
The Culdee Alcuin, surnamed Flaccus and also Albinus, was
engaged with Eanbald under Aldbhert, who became Archbishop, in the rebuilding of
York Minster of stone between the years 760 and 780. Alcuin and Eanbald made
some journeys to the continent together, and on one occasion at least to Rome,
between the years 762 and 766, in search of books and other knowledge, and it
was in the year 766-7 that Aldbhert became Archbishop, and converted Alcuin from
a Layman into an ordained Deacon. Two years before his death in 788 the
Archbishop created Eanbald Coadjutor Bishop, and gave to Alcuin the charge of
his schools, and the now renowned library.
When Alcuin went to France and became the friend and tutor
of Charlemagne it would seem that French Masonry would interlace with that of
the North of England. Charlemagne was crowned a King in the year 754, hut his
father King Pepin lived until 768; and when Alcuin speaks, as he does, "of the
temple at Aachen which is being constructed by the art of the most wise
Solomon," he is paying a compliment to his friend Charlemagne; and again in his
treatise De animae ratione for the King's cousin Gundrede he also
compares him for wisdom to Solomon. Hence it seems to be possible that Alcuin
might have some knowledge of a Solomonian Masonry, and the Moslems then were, or
had been, occupying the South of France. It is a curious fact that the
receptions into the Vehm, founded by Charlemagne, embraces all the salient
points of Masonic reception, though the aims of the two Societies were so
dissimilar; {271} and this must be considered in estimating German Masonic
receptions.
The ancient Monasteries possessed a "book of gestures," by
which they could converse by signs. The Trappists in Africa use it at this
day. The Masons of old seem to have had a knowledge of this.
We have every just reason to believe that a Masonic
organisation was thus early in existence, and that it was ratified and
sanctioned by King Athelstan, who now ruled all England from Winchester to
Edwinsburg, now called Edinburgh; and who visited York in the year 933, and
again in 937, conferring great privileges upon Beverley and Ripon of which Saxon
charters, in rhyme, are produced; he also enriched the Coldei, as they are then
termed at York, where they were acting as the priests of St. Peter's, and where
they continued until they were relegated to St. Leonard's Hospital by the
Bastard to make room for Norman clerics at St. Peter's. According to this
poetical Constitution, Athelstan, in order to remedy divers defects which
existed in the organisation of Craft Geometry or Masonry, invited all the Men of
Craft to come to him with their Council: --
"Asemble
thenne he cowthe let make,
Of
dyvers lordes yn here state,
Dukys,
Erlys, and barnes also,
Knyzthys, squyers, and mony mo,
And
the grete burges of that syte,
They
were there alle yn here degree."
The details of this poetical MS. is confirmed by a prose
copy attached to a more modern historical version in a MS. written before the
year 1450, and which is known to have been in possession of Grand Master Payne
in 1721, and which was first printed in 1868 by Brother Matthew Cooke and is
hence termed the "Cooke MS." A very precise examination of this MS. has been
made by Brother G. W. Speth in a Commentary which he has issued with a
facsimile, as well as the MS. itself, in book form bound in oak-boards, which
Brother W. J. Hughan {272} has justly described as a gem. Brother Speth
has clearly demonstrated that this MS. is a copy made about 1450 by a later
writer than the original compiler. The first part is a Preface drawn by the
author from various histories, Masonic traditions and charges, and is of a later
period than the Saxon Charges. To this Preface has been attached an actual copy
of the most ancient Book of the Charges. With some slight differences;
which we will note from time to time, the poetical "Regius MS.," and the closing
"Book of Charges" of the "Cooke MS." are in substantial agreement, and either
might well be the original of the other. The prose version of the composition
of Athelstan's Assembly is not so ornate as that of the poetical, but informs us
that "for grete defaut founde amongst Masons" he ordained "bi his counsellers
and other greter lordys of the londe, bi comyn assent," a certain rule. A
number of such old MSS. tells us that Athelstan granted a charter to hold such
Assembly to his son Edwin, and although Athelstan had no son of the name, he had
a younger brother Edwin, whom he is accused, on very insufficient evidence, of
having caused to be drowned in 933; Mabillon says, on equally doubtful evidence,
that this Edwin was received into the Benedictine Monastery of Bath in 944<<"Annals
of the Order of St. Benedict," Paris, 1703.>>
It has been recently held by Brother R. F. Gould, in a
paper of 1892 upon the nature of the Masonic General Assemblies that it may
refer, not to a grant of their own Masonic right of Assembly by Athelstan, but
to the Saxon Court-leets, Shire-motes, Folc-motes, or Hundred Courts of the
Sheriffs. The author of this theory grounds it chiefly upon that part of the
MSS., which we have already quoted, in regard to the great Lords forming part of
the Masonic Assembly. But such argument can amount to no more than this, that
the writers of these documents attribute the grant of the right of Masonic
Assembly by Athelstan at a meeting of the Witenagemote; and that the Masonic
Assemblies were held, or supposed to be held, {273} in similar form to the
Folcomtes, and they were in fact, a Court of this nature, confined strictly to
Masonic affairs. Probably Athelstan sanctioned the Masters' "Articles" in a
Council of Nobles, and the Masonic Council added the "Points" to govern
Craftsmen. The nature of the Constitutions, thus alleged to be sanctioned,
describe an organisation which is out of harmony with what we might expect to
find in Norman times, or at any period to which we might assign it after the
12th century. The Athelstan grant of Masonic Assembly was held for admitting
Fellows, and Passing Masters, whilst, on the other hand, the French Masons had
their "Masters' Fraternities" to which none were admited without much
difficulty. It has also been suggested by Brothers Speth, Rylands, and Begemann
that the Masonic Assemblies may have been held on the same day as the
Witenagemote to assure an appeal to the Sheriff if necessary.
In regard to the origin of the poetical Constitution which
is termed the "Regius MS.," there is good reason for believing that it was
handed down in rhyme in the Kingdom of Northumbria until it was committed to
writing in some other part of England; and that it was intended for a Guild or
Assembly of Speculative brethren consisting of Artisans of all descriptions
connected with buildings, and admitting Clerics and Esquires; for moral
addresses suited to all these classes are strung together in the same MS. Dr.
Begemann considers from the language that the copy was made in North Chester,
Hereford, or Worcestershire. In other words, it is addressed to, and for, an
Assembly similar to the imitation made by our present Grand Lodges. Charters of
privileges were given by the Norman Bishops of Durham, to a class of people, who
must have long existed, called "Hali-werkfolc"; for the name being Saxon they
were clearly pre-Norman work folk. The late Brother William Hutchinson, of
Barnard Castle, tells us that, in 1775, he had several Charters alluding to
these people, and gives the preamble of one, granted about 1100 by the then
Bishop of Durham, {274} which is addressed to both "Franci et Hali-werk folc."
This writer believes that the class were Speculative Masons, and he instances a
branch connected with the old Culdee Shrine of St. Cuthbert, and if his views
were accepted, it would give good grounds on which to assume the connection of
this fraternity with the poem.
It is worthy of note that the Culdee system existed in
Scotland for some centuries after the Norman Conquest, nor does it then seem to
have been extinct in Ireland. The continuation of the name of the Templars in
Scotland ages after its suppression in France, is probably owing to the
continuance of Culdee heresy. The Monastery of Brechin, as Mr. Cosmo Innes
points out, existed in the time of David I., the promoter of Royal Burghs,
1123-53, and that after the erection of the Episcopal See, the old Culdee
Convent became the electoral chapter of the new Bishopric; the Abbot of Brechin
was secularised, and transmitted to his children the lands which his
predecessors had held for the church; and one of these, in the time of William
the Lion, made a grant of lands to the monks at Arbroath.<<Quoted in Abbott's "Eccl.
Surnames," 1871.>> Now the seal of Arbroath has a design which has been
taken to refer to the secret Initiation of the Culdees: a priest stands before
an altar with a long staff in his right hand, upon the upper part of which is
"IO," the top forming a cross; before the altar kneels a scantily clothed man
with something in his hand, he might be swearing upon a relic; three other
persons are present, of whom two are brandishing swords. An antagonistic theory
is that the seal represents the murder of Thomas a Beckett. All we will say
here is that it is a very fair representation of the former view, and a very
poor one of the latter; and that, in consonance with the times, it may have a
double meaning. Sir James Dalrymple says that the Culdees kept themselves
together in Scotland until the beginning of the 14th century, and resisted the
whole power of the primacy.
Constitutional Charges. We will now make a slight
{275} examination of what we will call the Athelstan Constitution, as it appears
in the Regius MS., at times quoting the version of the Cooke MS. The former
includes much ornate comment, which is given more soberly in the latter, but
essentially the two documents are one. Both consist of two series of Charges
for two Classes, and a final ordinance. These, in both MSS., are
preceded by a simple history of the mode in which Euclid organised the
fraternity in Egypt, and the regulations by which Athelstan ensured a more
perfect system. The first series of Charges in the Regius MS. are 15, called
ARTICLES, and concern the duties of a MASTER to his Prentices, Fellows, and
their Lords or employers. The second series of Charges are called POINTS, and
arrange the duties of CRAFTSMEN to their Master and to each other. In the Cooke
MS. these "Articles and Points" have exactly the same bearing but are each
divided into 9 in place of 15. The closing part of the Regius MS. is headed
"Other Ordinances," and refers to the grant of a right of Assembly by Athelstan
and the duties it had to discharge; but a comparison with the Cooke MS. might
suggest that this portion is misplaced and should precede the Articles and
Points, though in another point of view it might be taken to be a later
addition, and to prove the much greater antiquity of the "Regius," as having a
history settled before the grant of the Assembly. In the Cooke MS. the last
thing is Charges to "New Men that never were charged before," which looks like a
more ancient form of the Points, but in the Regius MS. this part constitutes the
closing Points of a Craftsman, and is concluded in a very characteristic way.
It personates Athelstan himself, and is held to have the very ring of the
original grant; and is a record of that King's assent to.all that has been
related: --
"These Statutes that y have hyr y fonde,
Y
chulle they ben holde throuzh my londe,
For
the worshe of my rygolte
That
y have by my dygnyte."
{276}
Athelstan built several castles in Northumberland, and
there yet exists a family of the name of Roddam of Roddam who claim their lands
under the following Charter, and there is actually no greater improbability in
the one than in the other: --<<Burke's "Landed Gentry," 1848.>>
"I Konig Athelstane,
giffe heir to Paulane,
Oddiam and Roddam,
als gude and als fair,
als ever ye mine ware,
ann yair to witness Maud my wife."
Following the Regius Constitution we have a later section
devoted to moral duties and etiquette. It begins with the legend of the "Quatuor
Coronati," four "holy martyrs that in this Craft were of great honour,"
Masons and sculptors of the best. The church legend relates that they were
Christians who were employed in sculpture, and always wrought with prayer in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ, after signing with the cross, and their skill was
so great that the Philosophers attributed it to the mysterious words of art
magic. Diocletian gave them the option of worshipping the Pagan gods, which
they refused to do, and were put to death circa 290, and the Catholic Church
canonised them as the "Four Crowned Martyrs." After this they came to be
acknowledged as Patrons of the building trades, and as such are found in the
Strasburg, English, Lombard, and other Constitutions. They are respectively
represented with axe, hammer, mallet, compasses and square; sometimes wearing
crowns; at times a dog is represented with them.
Attached to the Regius Constitutions are two other
documents intended to complete the instruction in moral duties, begun in the
legend just related; the first of them is equally found in a MS. entitled
"Instruction to Parish Priests," and concerns behaviour at church; the closing
part of this portion is found in another MS. termed "Urbanitatis," and refers to
the general behaviour of {277} young persons, whether Artisans or Esquires; MSS.
of these two latter portions, as old as 1450 are found separately, but their
actual origin is unknown, and it is supposed that they may have had Norman
originals. The motto of William of Wykeham was "Manners makyth man," and line
726 has "Gode maneres maken a mon." Between the legend of the Four Martyrs and
the other documents is a portion which has the appearance of being imperfect,
but which refers to the building of Babylon and Euclid's tuition in the seven
liberal arts and sciences; it is a part of the matter forming the Preface to the
"Book of Charges" in the Cooke MS., so that it is possible there was a MS., now
lost, from which the writers of these two documents respectively copied
additions. In any case both these MSS. are but copies of older documents, both
have many imperfections attributable to the copyists, and which prove that they
were but copyists.
In both MSS. again, these Constitutions clearly prove that
there was a recognised Euclid Charge, who is termed "Englet" in the prose copy;
that these Charges were ratified by Athelstan; and the value which the ancient
Masons attached to these Charges is proved by the general agreement which exists
between two diverse documents, treated in a dissimilar manner, and no doubt used
in parts distant from each other. Both documents equally allude to Masters as a
degree of the General or Heptarchial, or provincial Assembly, both assert that a
Congregation might be made every year or third year, as they would; there is
mention also of Elders, and the "principal of the gathering "; and both equally
profess to give the Laws as transmitted from Egypt, and sanctioned by Athelstan.
The Regius MS., 12th Point, says that at these Assemblies:
--
"Ther
schul be maystrys and felows also,
And
other grete lordes many mo;
Ther
schal be the Scheref of that contre
And
also the meyer of that syte,
Knyztes and sqwyres ther schul be,
And
other aldermen, as ye schul se." {278}
The prose MS. has it, "if need be, the Scheriffe of the
countie, or the Mayer of the Cyte, or Alderman of the towne in which the
congregacon is holden schall be felaw and sociat of the Master of the
congregacon in helpe of him agenst rebelles." That is the Sheriff and Mayor
were to be called to support the Master's authority. This prose version also
mentions the "Maister who is principal of the gadering." Also, that "Congregacons
scholde be maide by Maisters of all Maisters Masons and Felaus
in the foresaide art. And so at such congregacons thei that be mad Masters
schall be examined of the Articuls after written and be ransakyed whether thei
be abull and kunnynge to the profyte of the lordys them to serue and to the
honour of the forsaide art."
From this it is clear, and we shall see it more plainly as
we proceed, that after the accepted Fellow had developed his architectural
knowledge it was the province of the Congregation, Assembly, or Chapter, to
examine into his competency for Mastership, to swear him to his special
"Articles," and, according to traditional custom, to Pass him by a ceremony
which gave him certain signs, tokens, and words, which enabled him to prove his
capacity wherever his travels might carry him. That is to say, not actually to
Install him a Master of Work, but to enable him, as was the main object of such
Tokens, to shew that he was a Passed Master; for the Assembly considered it to
be its duty to see that the Craft and Art of Masonry was not dishonoured by
ignorant pretenders. In actual practice, both in this country and on the
continent, the Master had to execute an approved task, or piece of work, or
"Master piece," as evidence of his ability. In London in 1356 there was a
dispute of such nature between two classes of Masons, when the very authorities
cited in these Constitutions, namely, the Aldermen, Sheriffs, &c., arranged the
difficulty by a law that any Mason taking work in contract should bring "Six or
four ancient men of his trade," to testify to his ability to complete it. In
the laws of the Haupt Hutte of Strasburg, {279) which though of the 15th century
must reproduce much older laws, and which resemble our own, it is enacted that
they might be altered by "three or four" masters of work, when met together in
Chapter; and we find that a Craftsman or Fellow, who served but five years in
place of the English seven, could not be made a Parlirer or Foreman until as a
Journeyman he had made one year's tour of the country, in order to increase his
proficiency. Such duties the Regius MS. gives in Norman-French as Cure,
and later they are designated Wardens' duties; in Guild Rites sworn officers.
It would seem from what has passed that originally the
Fellows and Masters met together in Assembly, but the time came when the Masters
met by themselves quarterly, as Findel shows in regard to Germany, whilst the
Fellows met monthly. There the Masters' Fraternities were presided over by an
"Old Master," and the Fellows by an "Old Fellow."
In addition to what has been described it was in the power
of the General Assembly to overlook the Liberal Art of Masonry, regulate it,
reward merit, and punish irregularities. It would also appoint officers until
the next "Gathering," and fix contributions. Brother R. F. Gould has
disinterred an old 16th century reference to the Guild of Minstrels, which
alleges that they had met annually at Beverley, for that purpose, from the day's
of King Athelstan; the similar claims of Masons may be valid, though we have
access at present to no records, to prove that the Masonic Assembly met annually
at York, or elsewhere, beyond what we find in the Laws of the government, and
the assertions of old Masonic MSS.
In the Regius MS. we have the following account of the
divisions of the Society by Euclid: --
"Mayster y-called so schulde he be."
For: --
"To hym that was herre yn this degre
That he schulde teche the symplyst of wytte."
Again: --
"Uchon
schulle calle others felows by cuthe,
For cause they come of ladyes burthe." {280}
Now the Cooke MS. had not to accommodate itself to the metre,
and may be supposed to give the same thing in closer conformity to the original
document. Speaking of the Constitution granted by Enclid to Egyptians it says:
"Bi a serteyn time they were not all ilike abull to take of the forseyd art.
Wherefore the foresayde Maister Englet ordeynet thei (that) were passing of
conynge scholde be passing honoured. And 'ded to call the conynge Maister for
to enforme the lesse of counynge Maisters of the wiche were called Masters of
nobilitie of wytte and conynge of that art. Nevertheless thei commanded that
thei that were lass of witte scholde not be called seruantes nor sozette but
felaus ffor nobilite of their gentylle blode."
We learn at least from this that a dual system was
instituted, which finds its equivalent in the lesser and greater Mysteries, for
what we find similar in Rites, between these bodies, extends to organisation,
and we see it composed of the noble or Knowing Masters, and the less knowing.
Fellows -- craftsmen, or journeymen -- and we begin to see why the Masters'
Articles make mention only of that rank, and the Craftsmens' Points apply only
to those subordinate to the Masters. The two MSS. distinctly tell us that both
the Masters and the Prentices were to term the Craftsmen their Fellows. It is
evident that the Apprentices had no call to the Assembly, but we shall soon see
what their status actually was. They may possibly have been sworn in private
Lodges of journeymen, and certainly for about 2 1/2 centuries it has been
considered that the Charge of the prose MS. to "New Men that never were sworn
before," referred to them.
The two MSS. are again in entire conformity in the
following Regius extract. The first Article of the Masters' orders says: --
"The
Mayster Mason must be ful securly,
Both
steadfast, trusty, and trewe,
Hyt
schal him never then arewe,
And
pay thy felows after the coste." {281}
But the 6th Article distinctly specifies three grades
of payment: --
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