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1854-1919
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The old charges of British Freemasons /
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Dedicated (by permission) to the Most Hon. The Marquess of Ripon, K. G.
OLD CHARGES
OF
BRITISH FREEMASONS
WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN.
With Valuable A
ALUABLE /IPPENDICES.
Illustrated with Facsimiles of portions of "Antiquity MS.," and the " York MSS."
of A.D. \G^2>andA.D. 1764.
A PREFACE
BY
THE REV. A. F. A. WOODFORD, M.A,
(Rector of Swillington, Leeds.)
LONDON :
SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO., STATIONERS' HALL COURT.
TRURO :
WILLIAM LAKE, BOSCAWEN STREET.
PHILADELPHIA (u.S.) I
CHARLES EUGENE MEYER, 722, ARfH STREET.
1872.
/4 s
^,^U179^
To
The most Honotirable
George Frederick Samttel, Marquess of Ripon, K.G.,
Earl de Grey and Earl of Ripon,
Viscount Goderick, Baron Grantham,
Lord President of Her Majesty's Most Hon. Privy Council,
&c., &c., &c.;
M. W. Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge
Of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons of England ;
This first Typographical Collection of the
Old Charges of -British Freemasons
is most respectfully dedicated
By his Lordship's
Obedient, humble Servant
and Brother,
William yames Hughan.
PREFACE
I have been requested by my able and zealous Brother Wm. James Hughan,
to write a Preface, for the very interesting Collection of our ancient Masonic Con-
stitutions, which he has so wisely, and as I think, so reasonably determined to
submit to the cognizance and consideration of the Craft at large.
Having been for some time past a fellow labourer with him in the wide and
fruitful field of Masonic investigation, and being equally anxious with himself to
promote a more careful and scientific study of our archeology and our history, I
have been truly glad, however imperfectly, to make this humble response to his
very friendly request for co-operation, in his present 'important and praiseworthy
imdertaking.
For some years past, as other avocations permitted, I have been collecting and
transcribijig all Manuscripts which relate to the ancient Constitutions, and
Legends of Freemasonry ; and I cordially sympathke with Bro. Hughan's meri-
torious efforts, to inaugurate amongst ourselves a more careful and conscientious
study of all those ancient and important documents, which tend to throw liglit on
the history of the past, and to bring clearly and convincingly before ourselves,
the genuine claims to antiquity, of our venerable and valuable Brotherhood.
With this view, Bro. Hughan has undertaken, at no little labour to himself,
the preparation and compilation of the present volume which, while it will neither
challenge controversy, nor deprecate criticism, will, I feel sure, nevertheless, com-
mend itself to every intelligent and conscientious student in oui world-wide order.
There are existing in England and other Countries, many copies of what we are
wont to term, " The Masonic Constitutions." They are also called by some writers
" The Constitutions of the Craft," the "History of Freemasonry," and the "Legend
of the Guild."
They generally consist of three parts, \stfy, The Introductory Prayer, Declara-
tion, or Invocation ; 2ndly, The History of the Order, or the Legend of the Guild,
which ends generally with the era of Athelstan, or about 926 ; and ydly, The
peculiar statutes and duties, the regulations and observances, which the Craft in
general, or Masons in particular are bound carefully to uphold and inviolably to
maintain.
In 1738 in his 2nd edition of the first printed copy of the " Constitutions of
the Freemasons," Anderson thus alludes to this subject : " The Freemasons had
always a Book in Manuscript call'd the Book of C-Ottfititutiona, (of which they had
several very antient copies remaining,) containing not only their Charges and
Regulations, but also the History of Architecture from the Beginning of Time ;
in order to shew the antiquity and excellency of the Craft or Art," &c.t
In this statement, our then Grand Chaplain was no doubt perfectly correct,
though it is not quite certain to which particular Constitution he alluded or con-
sidered the most ancient, as his History of our Order is undoubtedly a compilation
from more than one of the Ancient Masonic Constitutions.
Indeed he seems, curiously enough, to have followed in some remarkable
instances, a MS., of which Krause, a German, published a copy about 1810, but
of which the original has not yet been found.
One hundred and thirty years, we may say, have past away since our able
Brother published his Book of Constitutions, and now as then there are still
existing amongst the order many ancient copies of these old Constitutions,
The earliest so far known, is in a poetic form and is to be found among the
MSS. in the King's Library, British MuseumJ.
It is a poem of 794 lines, and was transcribed by a Monk probably, or some
Ecclesiastic, about 1390, apparently even from an earlier copy.
It was edited by Mr. Halliwell in 1840, and being already published, and still
easily procurable, there seemed to be no necessity, to reprint it in this collection. ||
This very old rythmic form of the Constitutions, the original no doubt, I believe
of all our later Constitutions, has evidently been greatly elaborated and embel-
lished by the poetic taste and imagination, perhaps, of the Transcriber, be he who
he may.
This poem has been put mainly into its present shape by one who had seen
other histories and legends of the Craft
" By olde tyme wry ten "
and it seems to be in truth, two legends, and not only one — the first legend
+ In 1686, Robert Plot, LL.B. in his Natural History of Staffordshire, gives a short account
of the Freemasons in Staffordshire, though himself a non-mason, and mentions inter alia,
"the large parchment roll in their possession containing the legend of the guild, and the laws
of the Masons."
He states that this legend is taken ex rotulo mewhranaceo penes ccementariorwm societatem,
and goes on to speak of St. Amphibalus, St. Alban, Athelstan, Edwin, and the meeting of
the Lodges in York, and that thus, this " parchment roll or volume declares has the Masonic
Graft been established in England." (Plot's Natural History of Staffordshire, 1686. P, 316.^
There can be no doubt, that we have in this statement, a clear and precise description of
some copy of our Masonic Constitutions, which Dr. Plot had seen and studied, but of which
the original so far, has not yet been verified.
% Bib. Reg : 17a flf 32.
II I have been for sometime preparing it for re-publication with a Masonic Preface. Mr.
Halliwell was a non-Mason and many points in it, which have deep interest for us, had neces-
sarily none for him. A.F. A. W.
appears to end at line 470, and then, apparently, with line 471 begins anew rythm
of abbreviated use, of the Masonic History. " Alia ordinacio artis gemetrice "
There is not, indeed, in the MS. any change in the handwriting, but the rythm seems
somewhat lengthened, and you have a sort of repletion of the history, though
very much condensed. Whether, then, it be one, or is to be divided into two con-
temporary legends, it is a most interesting and important Document in itself, and
undoubtedly, of the date ascribed to it by Mr. Halliw?ll, viz., about isgof
Dr. Oliver, as some of us know, held it to be, the actual Constitution agreed
to, at the Great Assembly, said to be holden at York, under a charter from K.
Athelstan in 926, and Bro. J. G. Findel sees in it a strong proof, from the " Sirs
quatuor totonatorttitt," — in what I have termed the 2nd legend — of its Germanic
origin.
I cannot however agree with our learned German Brother, that a religious legend
common then to both Countries, can be held to be a proof of special antiquity to
one form of national organization, while I am equally afraid, that the silence of
the Poem itself as regards York, is fatal to Dr. Oliver's theory.
All I can concede to them is this, that as it does appear, rhythmic forms ot
Charters and Grants are extant, which date from Anglo-Saxon times, and even
from the epoch of Athelstane, and as Athelstane was the Giver of Charters to
various Guilds, we may have in this old Poem, some few traces, still of the earliest
form, of the actual Anglo-Saxon Guild-charter to the operative Free-Masons ; and
that it is very probable more than one Grand Assembly was holden at York.
There is also among the Harleian MSS. (541 f. 207) a portion of a poem,
somewhat similar to the latter portion of the MS. Bib. Reg. and which also resembles
" Egerton MS. 1995-" It is however, apparently only a collection of didactic
recommendations of good manners, and sound morals in a poetical form, and
serves to show, not only that the Masonic Poem is not a singular form, but also
how well founded are its claims to great antiquity. The handwriting, Mr. Sims
tells me, is of the early part of the \^th century.
The next Masonic Constitution — so far discovered — in antiquity, is that edited
by Bro. Matthew Cooke in 1861, and to be found among the additional MSS.,
British Museum. % ,y
This copy seems also to be written by an Ecclesiastic ; or rather transcribed by
some learned member of the order, from an older MS.
It is written in Prose, and differs greatly from the preceding poetic form in
many particulars, but especially in the more elaborate arrangement and detail ot
the Legend, which is its main and most striking feature.
+ My learned and lamented friend Mr. Wallbran quite concurred in tliis date, A.F. A.W,
J Additional MSS. No. 23,198.
viii Preface,
As an illustration of this, it will be noticed, that whereas in the Masonic Poem,
there are 15" Articles," and 15" points " of Masonry ; in the earliest Prose Con-
stitution, there are only 9 "articles" and 9 " points." f
There are also in the British Museum five other Constitutions in MS. and in
Prose, viz.,
The Lansdowne, the Harleian, (2) and the Sloane, (2)
In addition to these, there are three in the possession of the Grand Lodge of
England, two of which I believe originally belonged to York.|
There are three still at York — One belonging to the " Lodge of Antiquity,"
(London) one belonging to the " Lodge of Hope," || (Bradford) one at Alnwick
and there are also the " Edinburgh-Kilwinning," and the Aitcheson-Haven MSS.
(Scotland).
Besides, there is the very interesting copy belonging to Mr. Wyatt Papworth,
one to Mr. R. Spencer, (the original he thinks of Cole's various Editions) one in
the Bodleian Library, which belonged to Dr. Rawlinson,§ and one which some
writers say, was in the possession of a Mr. Wilson, of Broomehead, and dated
from Henry VIII, but of which no trace has as yet been discovered.
Of these MSS. the foUowingST have not hitherto appeared in print, (at any rate
not in extenso,) though one or two portions may Piave been published :
Sloane No. 3848.
Three MSS. in Grand Lod^ge.
One at York.
Lodge of Antiquity.
Aitcheson-Haven.
Alnwick.
Wilson's.
Lodge of Hope.
Wyatt Papworth's.
By the kind consent of the " Lodge of Antiquity " (London,) the " Lodge of
t I liave in my possession, a neat interesting copy of this MS. made in 1728, by Wm.
Keid, Grand Secretary, for Wm. Cowper, Clerk to the Parliament.
X There are besides the throe MSS., two MS. Copies of the Roll, endorsed "No. 1." of
1600 ; made about 1830 for H.E.H. the Duke of Sussex, Grand Master.
II The MS. has been in the possession of the Lodge only about ten years. It came to them,
it seems, from a deceased Brother ; and of its early history nothing is known.
§ This MS, is not in Dr. RawKuson's handwriting, neither is the original in the Bodleian
Library.
H A question may fairly arise, whether Bro. Spencer's copy of the Constitutions of 1726,
was not transcribed for Cole's Edition of 1729, or even copied from it. I am inclined to
think Bro. Spencer's is a copy of an older MS. A. F. A. W.
Preface. ix
Hope" (Bradford,) and Mr. Wyatt Papworth, these interesting MSS. have been
inserted in the present volume.
Several copies of the Constitutions, taken from various sources have been for
some time well known, and have from time to time already appeared in print.
Roberts led the way in 1722, with a copy which he says was " taken from a MS.
written about 500 years ago " and which is in truth, the Harleian No. i942,t the
latest copy in the British Museum, and certainly not older than 1660.
It has also been said both in a French publication of the year 1807 % by
Bolieu, a medical man, who wrote the " Memoire sur la Maconnerie " contained
in that work, as well as by later German Writers, that there also were some other
early pubUcations of these Constitutions.
For instance, it has been alleged that in 1676, there was published in London
by Stephen Dilly, a work entitled " A Short Analysis of the Unchanged Rites and
Ceremonies of the Freemasons," that in 171 2, in London, there were also pub-
lished " Observations and Inquiries relating to the Brotherhood of the Freemasons
by Simon Townshend," and also that the Constitutions of the Fraternity of Free
and Accepted Masons of 1689, 1690, and 1701 were printed in one volume, to-
gether with the Constitutions of 1723 and 1725. But if these works were ever
really published, all traces of them seem now to be lost. No one professes to
have seen them, though their titles are quoted by several writers ; and up to the
present time, no one has produced a copy of thenj, neither are they mentioned
authoritatively by any English writer, that I am aware of.
I have myself spent many a weary hour, in the search after them in vain, and
though I will not take upon myself to say, that they never existed at all, yet until
some reliable evidence can be produced of their actual publication, we must be
content to accept Roberts' Edition of 1722 as the first printed issue of the Con-
stitutions ; which, as we shall see later, is only a printed copy of Harleian 1942.
Anderson followed under our Past Grand Master Payne, in 1723, with a Con-
stitution which he seems to have compiled from several MSS. and he put forth a
2 7z^ Edition in 1738.
In 1729, Cole published an Edition, with a few variations, very much resembling
the MS., which Brother Spencer has, with engraved Plates, and issued a 2nd
Edition of the same in 1731. In 1751 he published a printed copy of the 1729
Edition, and again in 1771, — in ?LAfaur Editions.
In 1730, an Edition of the Constitution was published at Dublin, by J. Watts,
and J. Pennell, which is however only a verbatim copy of the English Grand
Lodge Edition of 1723. There is also a copy of date 1739 printed for Mrs. Dodd
-t" Transcribed verbatim et literatim for this work,
t Annales Masonniquea, Paris, CaUlot A.D, 1807.
x' Preface.
at the " Peacock " without Temple Bar, London, but* it is evidently, 1 think, a
copy of Cole's, and is of no real value or importance.
Last year, Bro. Spencer published under the able Editorship of our Bro. the
Rev. J. E. Cox, D.D. (P.G. Chaplain,) an interesting volume of the Constitutions,
including the 1722 Edition, the 1723, the 1730, and the 1726 from a MS. in his
possession, which is, as I said before however, not an original MS. but a copy of
some other in all probability.
Wm. Preston, as we know printed in his various Editions considerable portions
of the Antiquity MS., which, though transcribed (as now published in extenso,) in
1686, represents undoubtedly a much, earlier date.
In 1794, a copy was inserted in the "Freemasons' Magazine," which was, I
believe, taken from Cole's MS. ; and early in the present century, (1815,) Dow-
land published in the " Gentleman's Magazine," that most ancient form of the
Constitution, of which, unfortunately so far, the original has not been found,
though Uowland said he had seen it, and copied his from it, and that it belonged
to the 17/,^ century.
There was a form of the Constitutions published in the " London Encyclo-
pedia " soon after this which was clearly a copy of Dowland's, and Bro. Hughan
tells me, that Hargrove in his History of York, i8i8, mentions a MS. as then
existing at York, which has not so far, he thinks, been identified.
As I said before, Roberts' Edition of 1722, is a reprint practically of the
Harleian 1942; and in 1855 & 1858 transcripts faithfully done, were printed in
the Freemasons' Magazine of the Rawlinson and Lansdowne MSS. respectively.
Of later years several of the Constitutions have been printed — especially by my
zealous Bro. W. J. Hughan, who deserves the thanks of the Craft, for his faithful
and laborious efforts, to advance the interests of true Masonic Information and
archgeology.
Bro. Hughan in 1869 reprinted at great expense, a lithograph fac-simile of
Cole's Edition of 1729, and has since from time to time printed in his various
interesting' and valuable works.
York MS. A.D. 1693.
Harleian MS. No. 2054.
York MS. A.D. 1704.
Sloane MS. A.D. 1659.
Edinburgh-Killwinniug MS.t
In Laurie's new Edition of the History of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, there is
a Constitution printed, of which, I believe the original is not forthcoming, and it
is supposed to have been taken mainly from the Aitcheson-Haven (or Mussel-
burgh) MS.
■\ Making in all (inclusive of those in this work) some fifteen MSS.
There are however in Scotland, two. inieresting MSS. called respectively, the
Schaw and the Eglinton MSS. which' are not however Constitutions properly
called, but rather Regulations' for the workmen and the work.
We have now got to the end of all the known forrtis so far, of the Constitutions,
alike in MS. and in print,' but of 'course, these are not all, independent and
original forms, but mainly transcripts or fac-similes of others. Preston's for in-
stance is taken from the Antiquity, Robert's from the Harleian 1942. Colt's, four,
and Spencer's of 1726, all form one family. The Dublin Edition of 1730 is a
copy of the English Edition of 1723, and the Freemasons' Magazine of 1794 a
copy of Cole's. Mr. Wyatt Papworth's MS. is a copy of Dowland's modernized,
and the Edinburgh-Kilwinning MS. seems to be taken from the English Grand
Lodge MS. of 1632. Of all printed forms, Dowland's is the oldest to my m^ind,
which was originally pointed out to me, by Mr. W, R. Wallbran, in which opinion
Mr. Wyatt Papworth concurs, as also Mr. R. Sims, British Museum. It is clearly
from its archaisms, older than any other known printed form; and ranks in antiq-
uity, next to Matthew Cooke's.
I propose now to give the Dates of the MSS. themselves as far as I think can
safely be laid down ; partly with reference to the actual date of each of the MSS.,
and partly with reference to the date of their transcription, though I need hardly
remind my readers, that the date of the transcription is no clue to the real an-
tiquity of the MS. or any just criterion of its value considered archaeologically.
Indeed it might quite fairly and truly be said, that unless we know how far the
copyists of the " Constitutions," in the Lansdowne, Harleian and Sloane MSS.
for instance, have modernized the text they have copied from, it is very difficult
to assign correct dates to these documents. But making every allowance for the
fact of the various MSS. having been so to say, tampered with, that is, modernized
and altered in form and verbiage, the following are the dates, which I think may
be properly assigned to the different MSS., and bearing in mind, all the MSS. tran-
scribed, even those of a late date, have been derived from an earlier and probably
common origin — unless there is any marked peculiarity in them, to which I shall
call attention, as clearly demonstrating their early date.
I think it best, where the date of the Transcription is undoubted, to adhere to
this in the general summary.
Dowland's Transcript represents a MS. circa 1500.
The Lansdowne MS do. 1^60.
The"YorkMS. No. I." (Grand Lodge) do. 1600.
Harleian MS. 2054 t do. 162^.
+ The " Harleian 2054 " is nearly a verbatim copy of Dowland's form, slightly later, and
must have been transcribed either from an early, and almost contemporaneous copy of
" Dowland's," or it is really a copy of Dowland's itself, though made about ten years later.
There are words in it, which are clearly older than the date of K.' Holmes's transcription.
xii Preface,
Grand Lodge MS circa 1632.
Sloane MS. 3848 certi 1646.
Sloane MS. 3323 do. 1659.
Harleian MS. 1942 circa 1660.
Aitcheson-Haven MS. (Musselburgh) certi 1666.
Edinburgh-Kilwinning MS circa 1670.
York MS. No. 5 do. 1670.
York MS. No. 6 (Grand Lodge) . . do. 1680.
Lodge of Antiquity MS certi 1686.
York MS. No. 2 do. 1693.
Alnwick MS. ....
York MS. No. 4 ...
Mr. Wyatt Papworth's MS.
Dr. Rr, Rawlinson's MS.
do. 1701.
do. 1704.
circa 1 7 14.
do. 1720.
I have said nothing ot other fragments or allusions to the Constitutions which
may be found in many other works from 1737, because in truth, they are all either
developments of Anderson's, or modified and expanded from Roberts' and Cole's
Editions. Neither do I think it needful to allude further to the articles on masonry
and the Constitutions published in such works as the London Encyclopaedia,
Chambers' Encyclopedia and others, because as I have already incidentally
pointed out, such are derived from already known forms of the Constitutions.
There is however in the " Biographia Britannica," a statement which it is
necessary to consider. It is there stated that Mr. Ashmole had made a collection
of MSS. with the view of writing a History of our Order, and the writer remarks
that he saw these collections and legends, and alludes also in Dr. Plot's words to
the rotulo membranceo penes cmmentariorum societatem.
Such documents however do not exist among E. Ashmole's MSS. in the " Bod-
leian Library," Oxford, which have been lately carefully indexed, and the only MS.
relating to Masons there found, is an indenture between the Lord Chamberlain,
and two freemasons, specifying the work to be done in vaulting the roof of the
quires of Windsor chapel. If any such MSS. of Elias Ashmole's still exist, they
are in some private family collection of his papers, but not in the " Bodleian,
Library," Oxford.
I have said nothing so far, as regards either the agreement or disagreement
of the various MSS., for that would indeed require a laborious and careful colla-
tion of them, one and all, which time has not permitted. Some of the MSS.
mentioned, have never yet been, and are not now, printed, and until we have them
all in print before us, it will be impossible to lay down any absolute conclusions on
the subject. But the reader will, I think, be necessarily struck with variations in
those now presented to his notice, more or less important differences of order
Preface. xiii
and detail, which it is scarcely necessary to dwell upon, and which require much
careful study and consideration to estimate often at their proper value.
It is not because one MS. differs from another, that therefore its testimony is
independent, or its authority co-equal, for many of the variations and deviations
we shall notice have arisen either from the haste or error of the Transcriber, or
from some peculiar local custom, some use of the district, the "limitt," the "guild,"
and the " assembly." Some may think that they can find, so to say, family groups
of MSS. as with the two Sloanes \ and the Lansdowne — or Dowland's and Mr.
Papworth's, and the Grand Lodge of 1632, — or Cole's Edition and Bro. Spencer's
MS. ; this may be perfectly true, and by a minute analysis, and careful comparison,
we may be able to trace back all our later Constitutions, lo one or two main sources.
The Constitutions seem in fact, to be clearly derived from the Masonic Poem,
though naturally altered in their prose form, and expanded and modified through
transmission, and oral tradition, as well as by the lapse of time, and the change
of circumstances.
If we would carefully study the Constitutions to day, in all their component part?
and arrangements, subject to certain unavoidable differences of expression and
order, I believe that we shall find them most fully developed in " Dowland," from
which form, I also believe, almost all the remaining Constitutions derive their
phraseology and arrangement ; for it is clearly an independent form, sai generis, and
is probably the original of all the later forms modernized by the various transcribers.
I confess, that the earliest form to my mind, of all the MS. Constitutions, (not ex-
cepting any but the Masonic Poem) is the York MS. of 1693 ; that is to say, that
it represents in its traditions, a very old form indeed, probably even anterior to
1490, and coceval with the Guild of Masons mentioned in the York Fabric Rolls.
I allude to that peculiar passage in it which recognizes female membership, as
that fact points to a very early period indeed of Guild history and organization.
But, I think I have said enough to show the great interest and value of these
Documents, Let us hope that Bro. Hughan's zealous labours may pave the way
for still further discoveries and still abler disquisitions,
I have kept for the last, a few words I wish to say about a disputed point,
namely, the alleged York Constitutions of Edwin and which is given at the close
of this work. At the beginning of this century Bro. Schneider of Altenburg,
received from a Bro. Bottger then In London, an account of an old York Constitu-
tion which he had seen. In 1808, ? Bro. Van Dyk from Holland brought Bro.
Schneider in Altenburg, a later translation of the same, which he had obtained
t Both of the " Sloane," represent a MS, soon after the Lansdowne, if they be not copies
of the same original.
xiv Preface.
through a Col. Wm. Erskine, who was then often in York and which was verified
by a certain J. Stonehouse, (with his signature and seal) said to be living at York
January 1801,
This Constitution, Krause published t on such authority, (consisting in truth of
three parts.) The first is said to be the Constitution of Prince Edwin ; the 2nd,
Duties and Regulations drawn up in 1694 by Command of King William III ;
and the yd. Regulations from the time of King Edward, to the time of King
Henry VIII.
For a long time these Constitutions were accepted as real and true, but doubts
arising, the originals were sought for, but have not yet been found. Up to the
present, there is no known MS. which exactly agrees with the ist or and forms
which Krause published ; and the 3rd version was quite unknown I believe in
England, until attention was drawn to it in Krause's work. Our learned Brother
Findel pronounces the Constitution to be spurious, and in this opinion many concur.
I confess, that I do not feel satisfied, that such is a right conclusion, but think
the matter should remain in abeyance at present, as I believe we have by no
means yet exhausted the list of old Constitutions, unknown so far, but still
existing in this country; and it is just possible that Krause's form may eventually
prove to be like Anderson's, a compilation from more than one MS. Of course
I do not for one moment, accept the mistaken tradition of Edwin, but I am not
quite sure, that there is not a " foundation truth " as the Germans would say, at
the bottom of our old Masonic Tradition. Athelstan, had as far as we can make
out, no son or brother called Edwin — Edwin the Atheling, (or as he is also called
by some Chroniclers Edmund) was drowned at sea ! But the old Masonic Tradi-
tion, points I believe to Edwin, or Edivin, King of Northumbria, whose ren-
dezvous once was at Auldby, near York, and who in 627 aided in the building of
a stone church at York after his baptism there, with the Roman workmen.
Tradition sometimes gets confused after the lapse of time, but I believe thd
Tradition is in itself true, which links Masonry to the Church building at York
by the operative Brotherhood under Edwin, in 627, aiid to a guild charter under
Athelstan in 927,
I have, I hope, by a sirnilar statement of facts, succeeded in pointing out the
true value and the lasting importance of such a publication as this, both to the
Archseologist and to every Freemason. Not only are these " Constitutions " mosf
interesting in themselves, as undoubted records of the past, and most valuable
from the use of peculiar words, and curious archaisims, but they serve to throw
light in a remarkable manner, on the true history of our order, and to illustrate
the progress and preservation of our ancient craft.
-)■ " Die drei alteaten Kunsturkunden " (Dresden 1810 ; 2 Vols. 2nd Edition 1820.)
Preface. xv
Even regarded in this light alone, these old legends and traditions, these bye
gone usages and regulations of the operative guilds, thus happily preserved, have
and always must have for all thoughtful freemasons, the deepest value and the
most lasting interest. For it is, as I have often before ventured to observe, in
these very peculiar usages of the handicraft assemhlies, the local and general cus-
toms of the Masonic sodalities, that while on the one hand, we are still able to
find, (and there only) the explanation of our own speculative rites and customs
to-day ; so on the other, it is by the gradual development of these old traditions,
■as time ran on, habits changed, new wants arose, and old landmarks were swept
away, that we are permitted to advance the only consistent and satisfactory theory
of the wonderful existence and permanancy of Freemasonry among us, and its
change from an actual operative and mechanical association to a speculative and
accepted Brotherhood.
But with these remarks I must close my far too lengthy preface.
I trust, that this imperfect contribution of mine to Bro. Hughan's interesting
work, may subserve the end I had in view, in writing what I have, mainly to in-
terest other able brethren in the study and comparison of authentic documents,
as it is thus only, believe me, that we shall ever be able to put before the Craft,
a satisfactory and unimpeachable history of our benevolent and time honoured
society.
A. F. A. Woodford,
P.G.C. of England.
Swillington Rectory, Leeds,
March 21st, 1872.
CONTENTS,
THE OLD CHARGES OF BRITISH FREEMASONS.
Introduction.
Freemasonry, an out-growth of the ancient Building Corporations
The speculative character — in part — of early operative Masonry
Legendary History of the Craft, &c
PAOE.
I
3
2
Original MS. Masonic Constitutions Extant.
(A). Halliwell's MS., *A.D. 1390.— British Museum ....
(B). Cooke's MS., *A.D. 1490 „ „ ...
(C). Lansdowne MS., *A,D. 1560 „ „ ....
(D). York MS., No. i, *A.D. 1600.— Grand Lodge, (London.) .
(E). York MS., No. 3, A.D. 1630. — (Missed of late years.) . .
(F). Grand Lodge MS., *A.D. 1632, — Grand Lodge, (London.)
(G). Sloane MS., No. 3848, A.D. 1646. — British Museum. . . .
(H). Harleian MS., No. 2054, *A.D. 1650. „ „
(I). Sloane MS., No. 3323, A.D. 1659. „ „ . ■
(J). Aitcheson-Haven MS., A.D. 1666. — Grand Lodge, (Edinburgh.)
(K). York MS., No. 5, *A.D. 1670.— "York Lodge," (York.)
(L). Edinburgh-Kilwinning MS., *A.D. 1670.— "Kilwinning Lodge," Scotland 11
(M). Harleian MS., No. 1942, *A.D. 1670. — British Museum
(N). Hope MS., *A.D. 1680.— "Lodge of Hope, (Bradford.)
(O). York MS., No. 6, *A.D. 1680.— Grand Lodge, (London.)
(P). Antiquity MS., A.D. 1686. — " Lodge of Antiquity," (London.)
(Q). York MS., No. 4, A.D. 1693.— " York Lodge," (York.) . .
(R). Alnwick MS., A.D. 1701.— Mr. E. T. Turnbull, of Alnwick.
(S). York MS., No. 2, A.D.1704.—" York Lodge," York . . .
(T), Papworth's MS., *A.D. 1714. — Mr. Wyatt Papworth, ofLondon
9
9
10
II
12
13
14
IS
17
17
18
Contimts. xviii
\'arious "Ancient Consti'iutions." Originals a.t present unknown.
(M). Roberts' MS. First printed A. D. 1722 18
(L). Cole's MS. First Engraved A D. 1729 19
Mrs Dodd's MS Printed A.D. 1739 Vide Note. 19
Spencer's MS. Printed A D. 1871. „ „ 19
(U)- Dr. Anderson's MS. First printed A D. 1723 . • 20
(B). Woodford's MS., F/rf^ Cooke's MS 21
(V). Stone's MS. First printed (in part) A.D. 1738 21
Dr Plot's MS. 'HQ<i\cQii\\\ History of Staffordshire, k.V). \i>%b . . 22
(W). Dowland's MS. Fir.it printed A D. 1815 22
(X) Dr. Rawlinson's ilS. First printed A.D. 1855 22
(Y) Wilson's MS Noticed in yl/a^z/nY^ of A.D. 1778 . .... 23
(Z). Krause's JIS. First printed A.D. 1810, (Dresden ) 24
APPENDICES.
Certified Transcripts of the "Old Masonic Constitutions."
(W). Dowland's MS. (Reprinted from the 6^i?«//ifOT(3:«'j J/^^a^/wi?, A.D. 1815) 25
(C). Lanadowne MS. From the oripua/, British Museum. . . . . 31
(D). York MS. No. i. „ Grand Lodge, London.
36
41
47
52
58
64
69
75
(Z). Krause's MS. Special translation from the German version of A, D 1810 80
Fac-simile Lithographs.
Portion of the York MS., No 2, A.D. 1704 .... Frontispiece
Conclusion to the York MS., No. 4, A.D. 1693 " Old Charges," Page i
Portion of the Antiquity MS., A D. 1686 ... „ Page 25
(F), Grand Lodge MS. „ „ „ „ . .
(G). Sloane MS., No. 3848. „ British Museum
(M). Harleian MS. No. 1942 „ „ „ . . ,
fN). Hope MS. „ Lodge of Hope, Bradford .
(P). Antiquity MS. ,, Lodge of Antiquity, London
(R). Alnwick MS. „ Alnwick
(Tj. Papworth's MS. „ London
FAC-SIMILE OF THE CONCLUSION TO THE "YORK MS.N94" A.D. 1693.
JjPaJ-f^JlC!,^ y^^^'U^c^ ^,n,r^^U^ /^&-^a ^^^ ^
■^<J'4i> -rM^/a^Si /^y^c^^ru^^ A^n^-^^^ y^;^^^^
^itS-fiy-T-L it^C-n- -f^^^Jhla^ ^TT'v^^'TXA.^^J'^a^ /H*^ f-net^ ^<9^
THE
OLD CHARGES
OF
BRITISH FREEMASONS
ELIEVING as we do that the present Assodation of
Freemasons is an out-growth of the Building Corpora-
tions and Guilds of the Middle Ages, as also the lineal
descendant and sole representative of the early secret
masonic sodalities, it appears to us that their ancient Laws and
Charges are especially worthy of preservation, study, and repro-
duction. No collection of these having hitherto been published,
we have undertaken to introduce several of the most important
to the notice of the Fraternity.
We have likewise written a sketch of the existing MS. Consti-
tutions in Great Britain, in the hope that ere long their general
character and history may become familiar to the members of the
" mystic tie."
These "old charges" are of great interest not only to Free-
masons, but to Antiquarians generally, as they demonstrate the
continuous and intimate connection subsisting between operative
and speculative Masonry for the last five hundred years, and tra-
ditionally for a much longer period.
An erroneous impression prevails that the speculative element
was unknown prior to the institution of the first Grand Lodge,
A.D. 1 71 7.
The Records of many pre-eighteenth century Lodges often
allude to the initiation of noblemen and others, who were cer-
tainly not made masons for operative purposes. The election of
Harrie Elphinston, Tutor of Airth, as Master of the Aberdeen
Lodge, A.D. 1670; and of the Earl of Cassillus, A.D. 1672, and
Lord Eglinton, A.D. 1674, as Deacons of "Mother Lodge, Kil-
winning," (Scotland) are alone sufficient t6 demonstrate the spec-
ulative character in part of early operative Masonry.
The Old Charges of
From the fourteenth century the MSS. mentioned or published
in this work have been accepted by " Masters and Fellowes " as
the genuine repertories of their time-honoured traditions and reg-
ulations. With trifling exceptions, no other Records descriptive
of their customs have been discovered anterior to A.D. 1600.
The legendary history and general Laws were occasionally in-
serted at the commencement of Lodge minute-books, but usually
they were engrossed on long parchment roUst : these had always
to be produced on the admission of Apprentices in whose hear-
ing the contents were read, and who, in order to secure their
observance of the ancient landmarks, were required to swear
fidelity on the "Holy Scripture."
There are at least Twenty original MS. Constitutions extant in
England and Scotland, the majority of which were transcribed
during the seventeenth century from much older documents.
These must not be confounded, either with the Masonic Stat-
utes of 1598-9, or the "St. Clair-Charters " of 1600 and 1628,
and other valuable Scottish documents, which are not accurately
speaking general " Manuscript Constitutions." The same remark
also applies to sundry Masonic ordinances promulgated in this
country from about A.D. 1350, for Ecclesiastical purposes, which
are still happily preserved, and to such papers as the Sloane
MS., No. 3329, (British Museum) which refer more particularly to
-the ceremonies rather than the History and Rules of the Craft.
With these few prefatory remarks we wjU proceed with our
sketch of the " Constitutions."
(A.) '• HALLIWELL'S MS.," BRITISH MUSEUM, -"'1390.
(Bib. Reg. 17a, If. 32.)
This curious Poem, containing the Constitutions of Masonry
(small quarto on vellum) written about the latter part of the four-
teenth century, was first made known by Mn James O. Halliwell,
F.R.S., in a paper on "The early History' of Freemasonry in
England " read before the Society of Antiquaries during the
session 1838-9I.
* An Asterisk through this work signifies the date is only an approximation.
t Sometimes these HoIls were of paper, but in either case the sheets were united end to
end, and written on one side only, across the breadth of the scroll.
J London, 1840, 2nd edition, 1844.
British Freemasons.
It formerly belonged to Charles Theyer, a noted collector of
the seventeenth century, and is No. 146 in his Catalogue as des-
cribed in Bernard's Manuscriptorum Anglice. (p. 200, col. 2)
David Casley in a Catalogue of the Manuscripts of the King's
Library A.D. 1734, styles it " A poem of moral duties," although
the Latin Title is correctly given. This error probably explains
why the character of this valuable document was not understood
until recently.
The Editor of the Transcript, Mr. John Richard Wallbran,
^(of Ripon) the Rev. A. F. A. Woodford, M.A., and others, sup-
pose it to have been written about A.D. 1390, while Mr. Edward
A. Bond, (keeper of MSS., and Egerton Librarian, B.M.) and
Dr. George Kloss, date it fifty years later. As all these eminent
authorities are agreed as to its great antiquity, the question of a
few years is of minor importance.
It is the oldest version of the Constitutions of Masonry
known, and is the only British copy which refers to the " Holy
Martyrs fowret", who are declared to have been
"As good Masons as on erthe schul go.''
Its traditional account of the origin of Masonry is substantially
the same as in the MSS. to be found in this volume ; and the
various articles and charges if clothed in more modern language,
would pass for one of the Masonic Rolls of the early part of last
century. The versifier was most likely a Priest.
The MS. is in the "Old Royal Library" founded by Henry
VII., for the Princes of the blood royal, corpprising nearly 12,000
volumes; the munificent gift of His Majesty George II., 1757.
(B.) "COOKE'S MS.," BRITISH MUSEUM, '-A.D. 1490.
(Add. MSS., No. 23, ig8.)
Written on Vellum, extending over sixty eight pages, and still
protected by the original binding, this MS. is generally consid-
ered to be a very good specimen of penmanship of the latter
part of the fifteenth century. Its height is 4^ inches, by 3^
in width, and was first printed by Bro. Matthew Cooke, in his
" History and Articles of Freemasonry," (London, R. Spencer,
t These ancient Christian Martyrs are alluded to in certain German Constitutions, published
inFindel's "History of Freemasonry." {Asher <Ss Co., London, 2nd edition, 1869, p. 21).
I
The Old Charges of
1861.) As nearly as the difference would allow, the original has
been faithfully re-produced in this handy volume. It cannot be
of an earlier date than the one noted above, partly from the fact
that the " Polycronycont," imprinted at London, by William Cax-
ton, A.D. 1482, is quoted therein, and also from the omission of
certain clauses customary In MSS., of greater antiquity.
This important document was purchased for the British Museum
by Sir Frederick Madden, (keeper of the MSS.) from Mrs. Caro-
line Baker, October 14th, 1859, whom sorrie think was a descen-
dant of the Mr. Baker mentioned by Dr. Rawlinson in his Scrap-
Book written about A.D., 1730, (" Bodleian Library," OxfordJ.)
The Rev. A. F. A. Woodford has a copy almost verbatim of
the MS. purchased from Mr. Thomas Kerslake, of Bristol, which
originally belonged to Mr. William Cowpor, Clerk to the Parlia-
ment, and subsequently to the Historian, Sir J. Palgrave. It
bears an endorsement, apparently written by the first owner of
the document, to the following effect ; — " This is a very ancient
Record of Masonry wch was copied for me by William Reid,
Secretary to the Grand Lodge, 1728, &c."
(C.) "LANSDOWNE MS.," BRITISH MUSEUM,
*A.D. 1560..
(No. g8. Art. 48. f. 27U.)
These " Free Masons Orders and Constitutions " are contained
in the volume lettered " Burghley Papers," believed to have been
part of the collection made by Lord Burghley, (Secretary of State,
temp. Edward VI., and Lord High Treasurer, temp, Elizabeth)
who died A.D. 1598.
They are written on the inner side of three sheets and a half
of stout paper|| 11 inches by 15, making in all seven folios.
Many of the principal words are in large letters of an ornamental
+ Many of the masonic traditions are contained in this old book. In liher secundus we read
(f ol, Ixii. ) ' ' Therefore bookes that they hadde made by grete trauaylle and studye, he closed
them in two grete pylers made of marble and of brent tyle. In a pyler of marble for water,
and in a pyler of tyle for fyre."
J" One of these Bolls I have seen in the possession of Mr. Baker, a carpenter, in Moor-
fields. " Dr. Bawlinson,
II Each sheet contains two " water-marks " without date. Tjne Jkur-de-lis being a prominent
feature in the design.
British Freemasons.
character. Mr. Richard Sims, (MS. Department British Muse-
um) states that these " Orders " have never formed a Roll, but
there are indications of the sheets having been stitched together
at the top, and there is the mark of a square piece of vellum or
paper having been used for additional protection. The MS. has
only been printed once, viz. : — in the " Freemasons' Magazine,"
(February 24th, 1858, p. 348). The anonymous contributor, who
designates it " a clear MS. of the latter half of the sixteenth cen-
tury " transcribed the document most faithfully, for on comparison
with our exact copy, we were unable to detect any difference,
beyond two or three manifest clerical errors. It was noi printed
in the " Freemasons' Magazine " for A.D. 1 794. The one of that
date said to have been the " Lansdowneij; " was Cole's Constitu-
tions of A.D. 1728.
Mr. J. O. Halliwell, Mr. E. A. Bond, and other well known
antiquarians date the MS. about A.D. 1606, and until the publi-
cation of MS. " B " It was thought to be next In Importance In
point of antiquity, to the Poem of the fourteenth century. The
style of callgraphy, and other considerations seem to warrant so
early a date being ascribed to It. The Historical Introduction Is
briefer than usual In Scrolls of that period. In other respects It
resembles the ordinary versions, and is a manuscript well worthy
of reproduction.
(D.) "YORK MS. No. i." *A.D. 1600.
There were six MSS. formerly, in the archives of the " Grand
Lodge of all England," held at York, (now extinct) and were so
catalogued in the Inventory of A.D. 1779. Until recently only
three have been traced, which are In the Custody of the " York
Lodge," and numbered respectively, 2, 4, afid 5. On examining
three Rolls in the possession of the Grand Lodge, (London) we
discovered two were York MSS., one bearing the endorsement
" No. I," and the other is evidently No. 6. The enumeration in
the Inventory must not be taken as any evidence of the relative
antiquity of the MSS., as though the oldest Is first on the list, the
second is the latest of the six.
t So called, in honour of the Oollector William Petty, created Marquis of Lansdowne in
1784. The printed part was dispersed on his Lordship's dea|:h, but the manuscripts consist-
ing of 1245 volumes were purchased in 1807, by a parliamentary grant, for the sum of 4,925i.
(These include the "Burghley, Kennett, and Csesar" papers).
No. I is endorsed " Found in Pontefract Castle at the Demo-
lishing and given to the Lodge by Francis Drake A.D. 1736."
It is composed of four sheets of parchment of unequal length,
sewn together at the top ; the whole measuring 7 feet in length,
and about seven inches in width. It was formerly a Roll.
A copy was made of this document about 1830 by order of
Bro. William Henry White, (Grand Secretary) but being imper-
fect, another was written by Bro. Robert Lemon, (Deputy Keeper
of State Papers) and presented to H.R. H. the Duke of Sussex,
K.G., (Grand Master.) Both transcripts are still preserved, and
are kept lied with the original Rolls, likewise a letter from the
latter gentleman to the Grand Master, dated September 9th, 1830,
stating " that it might be interesting to collate the transcript, said
by Preston to be in the possession of the Lodge of Antiquity,
with that from which the above is made."
The collation may now be made, as both the MSS. in question
are published for the first time, in this work.
" No. I " appears to have been the original of at least three of
the other York MSS. Its date is partly determined from internal
evidence, and partly from the period when Pontefract Castle
surrendered to the Parliamentary Forces, March 25th, 1649. The
demolition commenced during the following month. Bro. Francis
Drake, F.R.S., the distinguished antiquarian, who presented the
Scroll to the Lodge, was a native of Pontefract. His Father and
Grandfather were Vicars of the Parish ; the latter, before his ordi-
nation was a Royalist officer, and his Diary of the Siege is still
extant. There is thus every probability of the family possessing
memorials of the Castle, &c. ; and the " MS. No. i," is not the
least interesting of those preserved.
(E.) "YORK MS. No. 3.," A.D. 1630.
This MS. is missing, and has not been traced with any certainty
since it was recorded in the Inventory of 1779.
In tHargrove's History of York, A.D. 1818, (Vol. 2,) there is
+ Mr. Hargrove obtained his information respecting York Masonry, from Bro. Blanohard,
who was the only remaining member of the old Grand Lodge, and who had acted as Grand
Secretary for several years. All the Books and Papers which formerly belonged to the Grand
Lodge were them in Bro. Blanchard's possession, and are now (with few exceptions) carefully
preserved by the members of the " York Lodge."
British Freemasons.
a quotation from the " ancient records of the fraternity " said to
be in existence at York, which differs from the text of the five
known "York MSS." We think it very Hkely to have been
copied from the above Roll, now unfortunately lost. The extract
is as follows :
" When the ancient Mysterie of Masonrie had been depressed in England by
reason of great warrs, through diverse nations, then Afhehton, our worthye King
did bring the land to rest and peace, and though the ancient records of the
Brotherhood were manye of them destroyed or lost, yet did the Craft a great
Protector find, in the Royal Edwin : who being teacheji masonrie and taking upon
him the Charges of a Maister, was full of practice, and for the love he bare it,
caused a charter to be issued, with a commission to hould every yeare an assembly
where they would, within the Realme of England, and to correct within themselves
Statutes and trespasses done within the Crafts. And he held an Assembly at York
and made masons, and gave them their charges, and taught them the manners of
masons, and commanded that rule to be holden ever after : and made ordinances
that it should be ruled from Kings to Kings, &c., &c."
(F.) "GRAND LODGE MS." *A.D. 1632.
This Roll of parchment (nine feet in length and five inches in
breadth) is preserved in the archives of the Grand Lodge of
England (Freemasons' Hall, London). The date "anno domini
1 1 3 2 " is evidently a mistake of the copyist, and most likely was
intended to be A.D. i6j2 as that is about tjie period when it was
written.
On the reverse of the Scroll in more modern writing is the
following : —
" In the beginning- was the word
And the word was with Grod
And the word was God
Whose sacred and universal Law
I will endeavour to observe
So help me God."
Strange to say, it has never been noticed by any Masonic author,
or in any way heard of before the present time, neither is there
anything to show how it became the property of the Grand
Lodge. " Dowland's MS," subsequently referred to, is very like
it, and so is one of the Scottish versions.
8 The Old Charges of
(G.) "SLOANE MS.," BRITISH MUSEUM A.D. 1646!.
(No. 38^8, f. ryg present pagination.)
One of the most valuable documents relating to Masonry, as it
appears to have been the " received text " for at least two tran-
scripts of later dates. The "SloaneMS. No. 3323," and the "Har-
leian 2054 " so closely resemble it that we are led to style them,
indifferent copies of this MS. Although there is a " water-mark"
(without date) in the paper, that is not of much consequence in
this instance, as it is signed by Edwardu Sankey, A.D. 1646. It
is now published for the first time, verbatim et literatim.
(H.) "HARLEIAN MS.," BRITISH MUSEUM,
*A.D. 1650.
(Vol. 20 S4, /■ 2g, — by another calculation f. jj.)
The MS. is in the collection made towards the end of the
seventeenth century by Mr. Robert Harle)^, (afterwards Earl of
Oxford and Mortimer) which consisted of about 10,000 volumes
of valuable manuscripts, and more than 1 6,000 original rolls, char-
ters, &c. , the main tendency of which is to illustrate the history,
laws, customs, and antiquities of England. There are but two
complete MSS. relating to Freemasonry in .all this vast Library.
The Vol. No. 2054 is in the hand-writing of Randle Holmes,
Herald of Chester, who died A.D. 1659, and another of the same
name who died A. D. 1 700. The contents mostly refer to char-
ters and Constitutions of Chester Companies and Guilds of the
^seventeenth century.
The MS. consists of four leaves, containing six and a half pages
of close writing in a very cramped hand. The " water-mark " is
indistinct and bears no date. There are seven general, and eigh-
teen special charges, as with the " Sloane MSS." It was printed
in our " Masonic Sketches and Reprints," (part 2, p. 42), and for
the reasons mentioned under the heading Sloane MS. No. 3848,
we have thought it undesirable to republish it.
tThe " Sloane MS.'' so named after Sir Hans Sloane, physician, naturalist, and antiquary,
who conditionally bequeathed his grand collection of 50,000 volumes of printed books and
MSS., and about 70,OuO articles of virtu. These were secured by Act of Parliament, A.D.
1753, for the use and edification of the public to all posterity at the cost of 20,000^ — a sum
scarcely a fourth of the real and intrinsic value of the whole.
British Freemasons.
The two following folios in the Volume (viz. :^33 and 34) are
of a very valuable character inasmuch as the secrets of Free-
masonry are referred to in the "obligation" taken by Initiates,
and the sums are recorded which " William Wade give to be a
free-mason," and others who were admitted members of the
Lodge. The amounts varied from five shillings to a pound, the
majority being ten shillings and upwards. The fragment on folio
33 is as follows, and was written about the same time as the MS.
Constitutions " : —
" There is severall words & signes of a free mason to be revelled to y« wcli as
yu will answr before God at the Great & terrible day of J udgmt yi keep secret &
not to revaile the same in the heares of any person or to any but to the Mrs. &
fellows of the said society of free masons so helpe me God, &c."
(I.) "SLOANE MS.," BRITISH MUSEUM. A.D. 1659.
(No. 3323, f. 2og.)
Sir Hans Sloane has written on this volume (fo. — 328 leaves)
" Loose papers of mine concerning curiosities." The MSS. are
by many persons : The Constitutions, f. 209, being signed Hcsc
Scrip tafueruni p me Thomam Martin 1659.
Having been paged several times, the pagination given in the
Catalogue is superseded by one more modern and correct.
The MS. consists of six leaves of paper, (5 inches by 4,) is
written in a small neat hand, endorsed Freemasonry, and has only
been published once. (Hughan's " Masqnic Sketches and Re-
prints," Part 2, p. 23.)
(J.) "AITCHESON-HAVEN MS." A.D. 1666.
This MS. derives its name from the Lodge in which it was
formerly preserved. The Lodge met for sometime at Mussel-
burgh, for which reason it is also known as the " Musselburgh
MS." It is now the property of the Grand Lodge of Scotland
{Freemasons Hall, Edinburgh.)
Although many Lodges are rich in early Records, strange to
say, we have not been able to discover in Scotland more than two
MS, Masonic Constitutions, viz., MSS. J. and L. In order to
c
lo The Old Charges of
make certain on this point, we wrote the distinguished Masonic
Historian, Bro. D. Murray Lyon, of Ayr, who immediately con-
firmed the fact, and also informed us that " Ane narration of the
founding of the Craft of Masonry, and by whom it hath been cher-
ished " printed in Bro. Laurie's History of Freemasonry (Edin-
burgh, 1859) is a modern, (and somewhat imperfect) rendering of
the MS. J., and therefore not a safe text to be followed. Bro.
Lyon considers both the Scottish MSS.t to be productions of the
sister Kingdom. Considerable importance cannot fail to be at-
tached to these documents from the fact that they were accepted
as authentic, by the Brethren in Scotland during the seventeenth
Century. One contains the clause " liedgeman to the King of
England" and the two differ but little from the English versions.
The " Aitcheson Haven " MS. we should state is engrossed in
the minute Book of the Lodge, and is dated ,29th May, A.D. 1666.
(K.) "YORK MS. No. 5." *A.D. 1670.
These " Constitutions and Regulations " (hitherto unpublished)
are written on a long Roll of Paper, (jy^'feet by 8 inches) and
contain neither date nor signature.' The beginning is imperfect
at the present time, but from the account of Lamech's family, the
narrative is unbroken.
We have been supplied with a certified transcript, through the
kindness of Bros. William Cowling, and Ralph Davison, (distin-
guished members of the "York Lodge," in which the MS. is
located,) and after a careful examination, pronounce it to be a
copy of No. I. (MS. D.)
It clearly indicates the nature of " ye booke," on which the Ap-
prentices were sworn to secrecy : the document is valuable on
that account, because with only two or three exceptions, the vari-
ous versions simply state that " It is a great perill for a man to for-
sweare himselfe on a Booke," whereas this MS. and other York
MSS. declare that Book to be " ye holy Scripture."
+ The two MSS. will be published, in the forthcoming History of the ' ' Lodge of Edinburgh "
by Bro. D. Murray Lyon. (Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh. ) Numerous fao-similes and
extracts from ancient Records will be printed for the first time in this work, and the History
of Freemasonry in Scotland^ traced by a masterly hand from A.D. 1598.
British Freemasons. 1 1
The " Harleian MS." No. 1942 although it does not mention
the Book, speaks of its " holy contents." The other MSS. (omit-
ting A and B) are indefinite, and unless the* context be perused,
it is impossible to decide to which Book the writers refer.
(L.) "EDINBURGH-KILWINNING" MS. *A.D. 1670.
The MS. was printed in " Masonic Sketches and Reprints "
(Part 2. p. 50.) from a copy made for us by Bro. D. Murray Lyon ;
and is written in a small quarto minute book belonging to the
famous Scottish Lodge "Mother Kilwinning."
Bro. Lyon, whilst examining the Records of the ancient " Lodge
of Edinburgh" from Dec, 1665 to Mar., 1671, noticed that the
writing was the same as the transcript of the " Constitutions " in
the Kilwinning Lodge Minute-Books. This is important, as it
tends to fix the date (within a few years) of this " Narration of
the Founding of the Craft," and the channel through which it
came.
The MS. agrees with the text of the " Grand Lodge MS." (F.)
In fact it would pass as an indifferent copy of the document, so
trifling are the variations from that important version. An exact
copy will be inserted in Bro. Lyon's History of the Lodge of
Edinburgh, now in course of publication ; in consequence of which
we have omitted it from this collection of the " Old Charges."
(M.) "HARLEIAN MS." BRITISH MUSEUM.
*A.D. 1670. (Vol. ig42.)
This MS. contains the fullest information of any that we are
aware of, and is of great value and importance in consequence.
The "New Articles" are not dated, and are peculiar to this MS.,
although they have been reprinted we believe, from this docu-
ment several times from A,D. 1722. In Roberts' Edition of the
Constitutions (which we consider to be a transcript of the Harl.
MS. 1942) published A.D. 1722 ; the " New Articles" are said
to have been agreed on, at a General Assembly, held on the eighth
day of December, 1663, and in Dr. Anderson's Constitutions of
12 The Old Charges of
A.D. i738t, and later additions, they are declared to have been
established at the " Feast of St. John's Day, 27th Dec, 1663,"
under the Grand Mastership of the Earl of St. Albans. No
evidence has been found as yet for either of these statements, and
the character of Dr. Anderson as an accurate Historian is certainly
not improved, by his having unwarrantably Introduced a modern
Title in the 5th clause, viz., "Grand Master;" which we need
hardly state, is not in the original.
Bro. Henry Phillips, in the " Freemasons' Quarterly Review "
(A.D. 1836, p. 288) gave what was then considered a correct copy
of MS. Vol. 1942, (Harl.) but on comparing it with a certified
transcript, we find that the copyist has performed his task in a
most indifferent manner, and actually left out the whole of the
" Apprentice Charge," which, so far, has only been found in that
MS., the York MS. A.D. 1693, the Hope MS. (N) and the printed
copy of Roberts' A.D. 1722.
(N.) "HOPE, MS." *A.D. 1680.
The MS. now made known for the first time, in possession of
the " Lodge of Hope," Bradford, is scarcely less valuable than
the Harleian, (1942), and is, in all probability, slightly older than
the York, of A.D. 1693, which it so closely resembles. The
parchment Roll on which this " Constitutioh " is written, is de-
faced and worn away towards the end of the " Apprentice
charge "\ ; (which " charge " is only to be found in three known
MSS.), and in its present state, is six feet long, and six inches
wide. The Transcript, which we publish, belongs to Bro. Wood-
ford, and has been duly examined and compared with the original
+ 2nd Edition of the Laws of the Grand Lodge of England. In the 1st edition of A.D.
1723, the "New Articles " are not once alluded to. Although Roberts' version was issued one
year earlier than Dr. Anderson's, the latter work was submitted to the approval of the Grand
Lodge in MS. , prior to the publication of the former, which probably explains Dr. Anderson's
silence on the subject, A.D. 1723.
+ The missing clauses supplied from the York MS. of AD. 1693, are as follows : —
"He shall not commit adultery in any man's house where he shall worke or be tabled."
" He shall not purloyn nor steale the goods of any person nor willingly suffer harms or
shame, or consent thereto during his said Apprenticeship, either to his Master, or Dame or
or any other /reemason. But to withstand the same to the utmost of his power, and
thereof to iuforme hia said Master or some other freemason with all convenient speed that
may be."
' ' These be the Constitutions of the noble and famous History called Masonry made
and now in practice by the best Masters and EeUowes for directing and guideing all that
'use the said craft. "
British Freemasons. 13
Scroll by the Master of the Lodge, Bro. Wm. W. Barlow, to
whom we are indebted for permission to have it printed.
This MS. and the one of A.D. 1693, at York, are so nearly-
alike, that it is quite unnecessary for us to publish more than the
" Hope " version.
(O.) "YORK MS., No. 6." *A.D. 1680.
Until recently supposed to be missing, but now believed by us to
be in the custody of the Grand Lodge of England, (London), this
Roll has been lost sight of, for about a century ; at least we have
not discovered any reference to it since A.D. 1779, when it was
catalogued as follows, " A Parchment Roll of charges, whereof
the bottom part is awanting" ( York Inventory. ) We cannot find
any number endorsed on the Scroll in Grand Lodge, but as the
writing is partly defaced that circumstance of itself would not dis-
prove its York origin.
Its identity appears to us certain, from the fact that the " bottom
part " has been severed from the Roll, and though at the present
time it is kept rolled around the major portion, in all probability it
was wanting when the Inventory of A.D. 1779 was made.
That the present conclusion to the charges is the counterpart of
the long Roll, is manifest from the fact, that the parchment is cut
through a line of the writing relating to the " Conduct of Masters
and Fellows," and is rendered illegible, unless the two parts are in
juxtaposition.
The MS. (O) is a copy of one of the earlier York Rolls, about
a third has been re-written in a most imperfect manner by a later
scribe, who, no doubt, intended his perforrr^ance to be a fac-simile
of the faded original : the remainder is a good specimen of the
seventeenth century caligraphy.
The document itself contains nothing special, but the conclusion,
which we believe to be unique, viz. —
" Doe all as you would be done unto, and I beseech you at every
meeting and assembly you pray heartily for all christians —
Farewell "
14 The Old Charges of
(P.) "ANTIQUITY MS." A.D. 1686.
This celebrated MS. written on parchment (never before prin-
tedt in extensd) is in the possession of the Lodge of Antiquity,
Freemason's Hall, London, and is in a better state of preservation
than any others we have seen. Bro. William Preston in " Illustra-
tions of Masonry" (London, A.D. , 1788) incorrectly quotes the
portion known as the " Edwine Charges." The original clauses
do not refer to any " Charges and Covenants that ought to be read
at the installment of Master," although the author declares such
to be the case. We mention this fact because it has been consid-
ered, that a peculiar ceremony was observed at the election and
appointment of Master Masons, during the seventeenth century
— whereas no evidence exists of such a custom. Bro. E. Jackson
Barron had an exact transcript made of this MS., and after being
collated by him, kindly forwarded the same for publication in this
work, and likewise the following interesting account of the docu-
ment itself : two special favours which we highly appreciate, and
beg most gratefully to acknowledge.
A Description of MS. copy of the Constitutions
belonging to the Lodge of Antiquity, No. 2, London,
By E. fackson Barron, F.S.A., P.M. and Sec. of the Lodge.
The MS. copy of the Charges of Freemasons is on a roll of
parchment, nine feet long, by eleven inches wide ; the Roll being
formed of four pieces of parchment glued together, and some few
years ago it was partially mounted (but not very skilfully) on a
backing of parchment for its better preservation.
The Rolls are headed by an engraving of the Royal Arms after
the fashion usual in deeds of the period ; the date of the engrav-
ing in this case being fixed by the Initials at the top I. 2. R.
Under this engraving are emblazoned in separate shields, the
Arms of the City of London, which are too well known to require
description, and the Arms of the Masons Company of London, —
Sable on a Chevron between three Castles argent, a pair of compasses
of the first surrounded by appropriate mantling.
The writing is a good specimen of the ordinary law writing of
the time, interspersed with words in text. There is a margin of
about an inch on the left side which is marked by a continuous
^ The original capitals, orthography and puuctution have been exactly reproduced in our
transcript.
double red-ink line throughout, and there are similar double lines
down both edges of the parchment. The letter U is used through-
out the MS. for V, with but two or three exceptions.
As will be perceived by reference to the Jiote at the end of the
MS., it purports to have been written by " Robert Padgett, Gierke
to the Worshippfull Society of the Freemasons of the City of
London, in the second yeare of the Raigne of our most Gracious
Soveraigne Lord King James the second of England, &c., Annoq
Domini 1686."
It is not now proposed to enter into the question whether the
Roll did or did not originally belong to the Worshipful Company
of Masons ; its interest to Freemasons being a matter in many
respects distinct from that point, and the writer simply confines
himself to stating that there can be no doubt that it is an authentic
MS. of the date mentioned.
(Q.) "YORK MS.," No. 4. -A.D. 1693.
In one respect the above MS. differs from all others, viz., in
the provision made for the admission of females. The clause
immediately precedes the ordinary Craft Regulations, and is as
follows : —
"The one of the elders takeing the !^ooke
and that liee or slie.e that ia to be made mason
shall lay their hands thereon
and the charge shall bee given "
We believe it likely that women were admitted as members of
the old masonic Guilds, (when their husbands, or fathers were
deceased,) if they were in a position to carry on their Trade. We
are not however in possession of any evidence, confirmatory of
their participation in the " mysterie" or secrets of Freemasonry,
and a priori, we do not think it probable that they ever did, be-
cause the esoteric customs of the Fraternity were primarily con-
nected with the Art of Building, the initiation of Apprentices, and
the management of the Craftsmen ; duties certainly not of a femi-
nine character, and therefore wisely restric|ed to males.
These remarks, however, apply only to such Trades as were
peculiarly fitted for men, and not to any in which females were as
useful as males. Of the latter class, in olden times scarcely five
out of the five hundred were not composed equally of both sexes.
In the Guild of the Fullers at Lincoln, founded A.D. 1297, the
-^
1 6 The Old Charges of
men were permitted to work in company with the " wife of a
Master or her handmaid," and hke the Guild of the Tailors, insti-
tuted of the same city A.D. 1346, the " Bretheren and Sisteren"
participated equally In the beneficial position of the Society.t
Bro. D. Murray Lyon informs us that in the case of female mem-
bership in Scottish Incorporations, the freedom of the Craft, car-
ried with It no right to a voice in the administration of their affairs :
that able writer because of this fact and other reasons, considers
the clause under notice, (in the York M.S.) to be an interpola-
tion, and should read " hee or they," instead of ; hee or shee. As
it Is the only known Manuscript which contains such a provision, it
will be well to suspend judgment until further researches have
been made. At all events the copyist was certainly a good scribe,
and not one likely to make an important addition to the usual
Rolls, without some authority at least.
Bro. William Cowling, of York, has. In a most efficient manner,
traced a portion of this MS., also of the York MS. No. 2, and
we have. In consequence, been enabled to present to the Craft
fac-slmlle lithographs of portions of these two very interesting
documents.
The foregoing MS. was written by Matk Kypling, and the
names of either the officers, or members of the Lodge (probably
the managing Committee) are attached to the Roll, which Is com-
posed of Paper slightly mutilated, (10^ feet by 6 inches) and was
given to the "Grand Lodge, of York, 1777, by Brother George
Walker, of Wetherby,"
The "Apprentice Charge," considered to be peculiar to this MS.
has since been discovered in the "Harlelan 1942," and the "Hope"
MSS. Evidently the Apprentices were required according to
this charge, (which was composed of ten clauses), to serve their
Master or Dame, as the case may be ; thus there Is pidma facie,
evidence of females occupying the position of Employers, and
therefore it is probable they were in some respects accounted mem-
bers of the Masonic Body.|
+ 0n this subject the Masonic Student should consult Toulmia Smith's " English Gilds."
(Trubiier, Loudon, 1870.)
X The "Lodge of Edinburgh" by a special resolution, April 17th, 1683, permitted widows
"to have the benefite of the work offered them by ancient customers of the deceased hus-
band," and the " Ayr Squaremen Inoorporatiou enacted " that e,very freman's doghter shall
pay in all tyme comeing to the deaoone and this tred for Mrfredome, the soume of aught
pound scotts."
(R.) "ALNWICK MS." A.D. 1701.
"The Masons' Constitutions " written on the twelve pages pre-
ceding the Records of the " Company and Fellowship of Free-
masons of a Lodge held at Alnwicke," are of the year 1 701. The
minutes commence Sep. 29th, 1701, "being the Generall head
meeting Day" at which Assembly several Important " Orders to
be observed " were agreed on. The records ranging from 1 703 to
1757 mostly refer to indentures, fines, and initiations ; the Lodge
from first to last remaining true to its operative origin : the mem-
bers were required annually to " appear at the Parish Church, of
Alnwicke with their approns on, and common squares as afore.said,
on St. John's Day in Christmas, when a serrrion was provided and
preachedby some clergyman at their appointment." (A.D. 1708.)
This interesting folio volume, belongs to Bro. Edwin Thew
Turnbull, of Alnwick, who in the most obliging manner lent it
to us for perusal and publication. A sketch of the Laws and
Minutes of the Old Lodge may be found in the "Freemason "t ;
(London, Geo. Kenning,) and an exact transcript which we made
of the " Constitutions," is published in the American Edition of
" Masonic Sketches and Reprints," (Mas. Pub. Co., New York,
187 1.) under the Editorship of Bro. Robert Macoy.
(S.) "YORK MS. No. 2." A.D. 1704.
This Roll, which is the most modern of the York MSS., is
written on parchment, measures 60 inches, by 7jE^, and was pre-
sented by Robert Preston to Daniel Moult, A. D. 1 704.
The Anagrame, is similar to No. i, MS. (D.) Bro. Findel in his
History of Freemasonry mentions that he could not decipher it,
but he must have glanced at it very casually, or he would easily
have done so. In the same excellent work, a few extracts are given
from the MS. which, however, are not exactly quoted. The Roll
resembles all the York MSS., but No. 4, which is unique in some
respects. Transcripts of it, and the one of A.D. 1693 s-i"^ still
in print, and form part of the Appendix to our " History of Free-
masonry at York " in the " Masonic Annual," which publication!
is sold in aid of the Benevolent Fttndoi the " Kingston Lodge,"
No. loio, Hull.
+ January 21st, 1871.
X Geo. Keuuiug, Loudon : M. C. Feck and Son, Hull.
1 8 The Old Charges of
(T.) "PAPWORTH'S MS." *A.D. 1714.
The Manuscript could not have been written earlier than 17 14,
as some of the water-marks in the paper consist of a crown above
the initials " G. R." It is the property of Mr. Wyatt Papworth,
of London, who has very kindly consented to a copy of it being
printed. The following interesting observations were sent to us
by Bro. Woodford. " The Scroll was written originally on pages
of foolscap size, which were then joined into a continuous roll,
and afterwards, probably for greater convenience, the pages were
again separated by cutting them, and it now forms a Book, contain-
ing twenty-four folios, sewed together in a light brown paper
cover. The text is of a bold character, but written so irregularly
that there are few consecutive pages which have the same number
of lines ; the average being about seventeen to the page."
" Mr. Papworth purchased the MS. at a Bookseller's shop in
London, about the year i860."
" It will be perceived that the MS. is not complete, although
some person has written Finis (in quite a different handwriting,) at
the bottom of Page 24."
" Mr. Papworth has added to the MS. on another page, the
concluding sentences from ' Dowland's Constitution,' considering
that it came nearest to all those he had perused."
Of "Constitutions" printed, (in whole or part) the originals being
at present unknown, there are about six, some of which have
gone through several editions.
(M.) " ROBERTS' MS." Printed, h..V). 1^22,
Is the first of this class, as respects priority of publication, and
is entitled the " Old Constitutions Belonging to the Antient and
Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons. Taken from
a Manuscript wrote above Five Hundred Years since. (London,
Printed and sold by J. Roberts, in Warwick Lane, MDCCXII.)
It is the earliest /rm/^af work known relating exclusively to Free-
masonry, and is without doubt a transcript of the " Harleian MS.
,No. 1942," (M.) which may have been copied from a much older
document, but certainly not of the age claime*d by Roberts. The
" New Articles," (said to have been agreed on at a General Assem-
British Freemasons^ 19
bly held 8th December, 1663.) were subsequently printed in the
" Book of Constitutions " by the Rev. Dr. Anderson, and others
from A.D. 1738 to A.D. 1784.! Some have declared that this
pamphlet by Roberts, mentions several Masonic Degrees of a spec-
ulative and philosophical character, but such a statement is con-
trary to fact, as no work was issued by any Grand Lodge or
Society under the Title of Freemasons, and which practised certain
degrees, called Masonry, until the year A.D. 1723.
The 2nd Edition of this curious little Book was published last
year by Bro. R. Spencer, London, in his valuable reprints of the
" Old Constitutions of the Freemasons" from A.D. 1722 to 1730.
Another work of a similar character to the foregoing is
(L.) "COLE'S MS." Engraved K.Y). 1729.
This copper-plate edition of the Constitutions was published
A.D. 1729 and A.D. 1731 (from the same plates,) and was dedi-
cated respectively to Lord Kingston and Lord Lovel, (Grand
Masters.) Ordinary copies were printed from A.D. 1739 and
1 75 1 J to A.D. 1794 ; and Cole's text was also made the basis for
other "ancient MSS." so called, which were circulated during the
last century. We published a special edition of 70 copies (a
lithograph fac-simile of A.D. 1729.) dedicated to the Earl of Zet-
land, K.T. ; (Grand Master, A.D. 1869.) and Bro. R. Spencer, in
1 87 1, issued a fine reprint, (of what is believed to be Cole's MS.
dated A.D. 1726) dedicated to H. R. H. the Prince of Wales,
K.G., (Past Grand Master).
f The fifth clause in these reprints is made to read " Orand Master," instead of "Master,"
so also in Preston's "Illustrations of Masonry," and many other Masonic works.
J Cole's ordinary edition was first published A.D. 1751, (3rd edition from A.D. 1729 of
copper-plates) but we think Mrs. Dodd's " Constitutions " of A.D. 1739, was also taken in
part from his original work, and probably is but a reprint, (with variations) of that issued
1729 and 1731. Bro. Spencer, the noted Masonic Bibliographer, has a copy of the tract
of A.D. 1739, the title of which is " The beginning and first foundation of the most worthy
Craft of Masonry, with the Charges thereunto belonging. By a deceased Brother, for the
benefit of his widow. London : printed for Mrs. Dodd, at the Peacock without Temple Bar.
1739 Price Six-pence.'' Bro. Spencer in his excellent Introduction to " The old Constitutions
of the Freemasons," (1871) states that it " apparently is copied from a similar MS. to the one
reprinted in this Volume " (viz. MS. of 1726, supposed to be Cole's) and considers the Editor
or Printer of the 1739 copy never saw Cole's work, because of certain differences in the two
editions ; e.g. "Note / pray you," (after Astronomy or the 7th Science) is in Dodd's, but in
Cole'sof 1729 and 1731, simply "Note." In the latter it ia "Hallidon," at theoonolusionand
in the former, "Hallidom." We find, however, in the MS. of A.D. 1726, which Bro. Spencer
has had so beautifully printed, and which he believes to have been the text for Cole's engraved
copper-plate Editions ; the sentence " Note I pray you " occurs the same exactly as in Mrs.
Dodd's publication.
Probably Bro. Spencer will soon reprint this scarce pamphlet, and then it can be collated
with the whole of the Masonic MSS, known.
20 The Old Charges of
Cole's copy sowewhat resembles the " Edinburgh-Kilwinning"
MS. (unless when clauses are introduced alike foreign to all the
MSS.) and for that reason we have placed the letter (L) before
the Title. We do not, however, believe it to be a faithful tran-
script of any Masonic Roll.
(U.) "DR. ANDERSON'S MS." Printed K.T). 1723.
The Historical Introduction to the various Laws promulgated
by the Grand Lodge of England from A.D. 1723, and first made
known by the Rev. James Anderson, D.D., are simply ampli-
fications of the MS. Constitutions then extant, and it may truly
be said that the value of the Historical Introduction by Dr.
Anderson and other contributors, has been materially diminished
by fanciful additions to these ancient charges.
The Volume of A.D. 1723 is styled " The Charges of a Free-
Mason Extracted from The Ancient Records of Lodges beyond
sea, and of those in England, Scotland, and Ireland for the use
of the Lodges in London. To be read at the making of new
Brethren, or when the Master shall order it," and it Is likewise
stated that " All the valuable Things of the Old Records were
retained, the Errors in History and Chronology corrected, the false
Facts and the improper words omitted, and the whole digested in
a new and better method."
We should have felt more grateful to Dr. Anderson for his la-
bours on behalf of our Society In furnishing us with reproductions
of the ancient Constitutions, and with his own views respecting
them ; provided he had kept these entirely distinct, the one from
the other.
At page 31, the author quotes " A certain Record of Free-ma-
sons written in the reign of Edward IV., about An. Dom. 1475,
seen and perused by our late Sovereign King Henry VI." This
extract perpetuates the " Edwin tradition," and states that the
Prince held a General Lodge at York as Grand Master. In the
subsequent editions of the " Book of Constitutions" from 1738 to
1 784, the " General Lodge " is altered to " Grand Lodge, A.D.
g26 " with just as little authority for the change, as there was for
the Title Grand Master in the first edition of the work.
Bro. William Preston quotes the Record in his " Illustrations of
British Freemasons. 21
Masonry "t and adds that it is " said to have been in the possess-
ion of the famous Elias Ashmole, and unfortunately destroyed."
Nothing, however, is said of such a catastrophe having occurred,
in the " 1723 Constitutions."
Another MS. is alluded to, and partly quoted by Dr. Anderson
at page 34, and appears to us simply an extract from " Cooke's
MS.," (B.) as it is almost word for word, and is not to be found
in any other existing MS.
The part transcribed refers to the Sheriff, Mayor, or Alderman
joining the Lodge " to uphold the Master and Wardens against
Rebels, and for upbearing the Rights of the Realm." There are
only two MSS. mentioned in the 1723 Edition, one of which we
believe is Cooke's MS., (or probably the copy formerly in the
possession of William Cowper 1728,) and the other we have
termed Dr. Andersons MS. ; and added the prefix (U) for con-
venience of reference,
A more lengthy quotation from the one we deem " Cooke's
MS.," is printed in the 2nd Edition of the Constitutions (A.D.
1738, p. 71,) the first part of which is said by Dr. Anderson and
William Preston, to belong to the reign of Edward III., and the
remaining portion is declared by the latter Brother to be " a very
old MS., of which a copy is said to have been in the possession of
the late George Payne, Esq., Grand Master in 1718."
The quotation is not divided in the " Book of Constitutions" ;
and the most probable explanation is, that Bro. George Payne was
at one time the owner of Cooke's MS. ; which was transcribed
for William Cowper aforesaid, and after passing through several
hands, has at length become the property of .Bro- Woodford.
A third MS. is noticed in this Edition of the Constitutions, \
viz. : —
(V.) "STONE'S MS." Printed A.Y). 1738,
and is thus described " An old MS. which was destroyed with
many others in 1720, said to have been in the possession of
Nicholas Stone, a curious sculptor under Inigo Jones." The
wages recorded, differ from MSS. generally ; the only versions
that we are aware of, which agree with this cdpy being the " Edin-
burgh Kilwinning," Krause's and Cole's. The portion printed
is as follows : —
+ London, A.D. 1788, page 182.
t A.D. 1738, p. 57. Preston's " Illustrations," A.D. 1788, p. 174, and other works.
22 The Old Charges of
" St. Alban loved Masons well, and cherished them much, and he made their pay-
right good, viz. . Two Shillings per Week, and Three Pence to tlieir Cheer ; whereas
before that Time, through all the Land, a Mason had but a Penny a Day, and his
Meat, until St. Alban amended it. He also obtained of the King a charter for the
Free Masons, for to hold a general council, and gave the name of Assembly, and
was thereat himself as Grand Master and helped to make Masons, and gave them
Good Charges, &c."t
(W.) "DOWLAND'S MS." Printed, h.Vi. iZi<„
In the Gentleman's Magazine for A.D. 1815I was published a
copy of an ancient MS. of great value. We think it likely the
original will after careful comparison be traced to one of the MSS.
extant. Mr. James Dowland forwarded it to the Editor with
the following remarks. " For the gratification of your readers, I
send you a curious address respecting Freemasonry which not
long since came into my possession. It is written on a long roll
of parchment, in a very clear hand apparently in the 1 7th century,
and probably was copied from a MS. of earlier date."
Bro. Woodford, Mr. Wallbran, Mr. Sims, and other eminent
authorities consider the original of the copy from which the tran-
script for the " Gentleman's Magazine " was written, to be a scroll
of at least a century earlier than the date ascribed to Mr. Dow-
land's MS. and in consequence date it about A.D. 1550, or in other
words, next in point of antiquity to MS. B.
The text differs but little from the " Grand Lodge " and " Edin-
burgh-Kilwinning" MSS., and the amount of Wages recorded
agrees with the former MS., as also with some of the York MSS.
The last copy of the " Constitutions" we have to notice of those
printed in Great Britain, the origijtals of which are at present
missing, is
(X.) "Dr. RAWLINSON'S MS.," Printed A.V). 1855.
The transcript of this Manuscript, formerly the property of
Bro. Richard Rawlinson, LL.D.,isina "Scrap Book" preserved
in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, the contents of which vary in
date from about 1720 to 1740. Bro. the Rev. J. Sidebotham,
B. A. copied and published it in the " Freemasons' Monthly Mag-
azine," for A.D. 1855,11 It has generally been considered that the
+ Dr. Plot, in his " History of Staffordshire," A.D. 1686, quotes from a " Sohrole of Parch-
ment " on masonry, but not vt.rbatim et literatim
4 May 3l3t, page 489. || March, page 151, and April, page 209.
British Freemasons. 23
original (written about A. D. 1 700) was in the Bodleian Library ;
but on noticing that the copyist had entered above the transcript,
in the Scrap Book " Copied from an old MS. in the possession of
Dr. Rawlinson," we communicated with Bro. Alderman Spiers,
F.S.A., of Oxford, who after due enquiry, informed us that the
MS. itself has not been discovered.
We hope, however, by the renewed researches of zealous
Brethren, the foregoing document, and other missing Masonic
Scrolls will be found, as it is very probable several such MSS.
still remain unnoticed in the muniment rooms of Public and
Private Libraries in this country. It is only lately that any com-
plete copies t of the MS. Masonic Constitutions extant, have been
published, and until the last few years, not half the Masonic Rolls
now traced, were even known to be in existence.
Of Masonic MSS. formerly known, but of which no portion has
ever been printed, or transcribed, there is but one, viz.,
(Y.) "WILSON'S MS." (About A. D, 1520.)
The first reference to it that we can find, is by the author of the
" Manifesto of the Lodge of Antiquity," A.D. 1778, wherein he
mentions " an old MS. in the hands of Mr. Wilson, of Broomhead,
near Sheffield, Yorkshire, written in the reign of King Henry
VIII." It is not alluded to in the first Edition of Hutchinson's
"Spirit of Masonry," A.D. 1775, as some writers have stated,
but in later works it is occasionally noted.
The " Constitutions " selected for publication in this Volume,
comprise transcripts of all the original MSS. of note, with two ex-
ceptions,J and may be deemed fairly representative of the char-
acter of the Old Charges of British Freemasons.
We have likewise, reprinted " Dowland'sMS." from the Gentle-
man's Magazine ; and lastly, we have inserted an excellent Trans-
lation from the German, by Mr. F. Berridge, (British Museum) of
+ Excepting Robert's Edition of A.D. 1722, which, we believe to be a transcript of "Har-
leian MS. 1942,"
J Viz., "Halliwell's" and "Cooke's" MSS.
24 The Old Charges of
(Z.) "KRAUSE'S MS.," Printed K.V>. 1810.
It seems that this so called " York MS. of 926 " was translated
into Latin, and certified by " Stonehouse, York, January 4, 1806,"
after comparison with the original in the possession of an archi-
tectural Society in that city. It was subsequently translated into
German by Bro. Schneider, of Altenburg, in 1808, declared to be
a faithful reproduction by three Linguists, and certified to that
effect by C. E. Weller, Sec. of the Tribunal of Saxony, Jany.
9th, 1809. At least, so we are told by Bro. Krause in his " Kun-
sturkunder der Freimaurer " (A.D. 1810, Dresden) who states
that the document is an original Ancient York Constitution of
A.D. 926. Strange to say however, (a) the original cannot be
found, (b) has never been noticed in any Records of the Grand
Lodge of all England held at York, (so far as we can discover) or
(c) in the "Fabric Rolls of York Minster." (d) Bro. Drake, the
Antiquary and Historian, of York, in his celebrated speech A.D.
1726 never alludes to it, (e) and it is certain that no early MS., or
printed work of any kind extant in York, or in England, has yet
been produced which mentions such a Constitution being, (or hav-
ing been) in existence at any time. We shall not at present at-
tempt to assist in deciding its age ; but in order to give every
opportunity for its examination and collation with other MSS.,
and early printed works like the " Polychronicon, " we have deci-
ded to place it in this collection of British MSS., as it is certainly
of importance, and of great value masonically, even though, it be
not of A.D. 926, but, probably a compilation of the early part of
the last century, like Dr. Anderson's.
In conclusion, we beg to express our obligations to the Breth-
ren who have so kindly assisted in the preparation of this vol-
ume. Especially do we thank Bro. the Rev. A. F. A. Woodford,
who freely placed his valuable collection of Masonic MSS. at our
service, undertook to write the Preface, and, has evinced a lively
interest in the progress of the work from the commencement to
its completion.
We hope that the publication of these MS. Constitutions, will
induce one or more competent Brethren to collate all the Copies
extant, and make the result known to the Craft at an early date ; for
Antiquarians and Freemasons are alike interested in the subject.
FAC-SIMILE OF A PORTION OF
m^^
n^nl^u^ Science /0it6.+Ry^ctf I
er^£^5^. -t^i^iAcsf i3 Ceramet c^
THE "ANTIQUITY MS AD. 1686.
or Htqoo&yjxi
^^^.cwUl gcXcwWS of .
i tfti^r^ U J^OmCFC m^ '-'i'^ t^f^
ma HU^^t(> If-Sirht^a^^ (ytrttru^'iii
liCcfR^fi a m^ c^ auJ> w^«f ^
" DOWLAND'S MS." (W.)
THE might of the Father of Kings, with the wisdom e of his glorious Son,
through the grace of the goodness of the Holy Ghost, there bene three
persons in one Godheade, be with us at our beginninge, and give us grace so to
governe us here in this mortall life liveinge, that wee may come to his kingdome
that never shall have endinge. Amen.
Good Breetheren and Fellowes : Our purpose is to tell you how and in what
manner this worthy science of Masonrye was begunne, and afterwards how it was
favoured by worthy Kings and Princes, and by many other worshipfuU men. And
also, to those that be willinge, wee will declare the Charge that belongeth to any
true Mason to keepe for in good faith. And yee, have good heede thereto ; it is
well worthy to be well kept for a worthy craft and a curious science.
For there be Seaven liberall Sciences, of the which seaven it is one of them.
And the names of the Seaven Scyences bene these : First is Grammere ; and it
teacheth man to speake truly and write truly. And the second is Rethorickejand
teacheth a man to speake faire in subtill termes. And the third is Dialectyke ;
and teacheth a man for to discern or know truth from false. And the fourth is
Arithmeticke ; and that teacheth a man for to recken and to accompte all manner
of numbers. And the ftfth is called Geometrie ; and that teacheth mett and mea-
sure of earth and of all other things ; of the which science is called Masonrye.
And the sixt science^ is called Musicke ; and that teacheth a man of songe and
voice, of tongue, and orgaine, harpe and trompe. And the seaventh science is called
Astronomye ; and that teacheth a man the course of the sunn, moone, and Starrs.
These be the Seaven liberall Sciences, the which bene all founded by one
Science ; that is to say Geometrie. And this may a man prove, that the science
of the work is founded by Geometrie, for Geometrie teacheth a man mett and
measure, ponderation and weight, of all manner of things on earth ; for there is
noe man that worketh any science, but he worketh by some mett or measure, nor
noe man that buyeth or selleth, but he buyeth or selleth by some measure or
by some weight ; and all these is Geometrie. And these merchants and all crafts-
men, and all other of the Seaven Sciences, and in especiall the plowman and
tillers of all manner of grounds, graynes, seedes, vynes, plowers and sellers of
other fruits ; for Grammere or Retricke, neither Astronomic nor none of all
the other Seaven Sciences can noe manner find mett nor measure without
Geometrie. Wherefore methinketh that the science of Geometrie is most worthy,
and that findeth all other.
How that these worthy Sciences were first begonne, I shall you tell. Before
Noyes floode there was a man called Lameche, as it is written in the Byble, in
the'iiij"* chapter of Genesis ; and this Lameche had two wives, and the one
height Ada, and that other height Sella ; by his first Wife Ada he gott two sons,
and that one Jahell and thother Tuball, and by thaf other wife Sella he gott a
son and a daughter. And these four children founden the begining of all sciences
.. ,0
26 "Dowland's MSr (W.)
in the world. And this elder son Jahell found the science of Geometrie, and he
departed flocks of sheepe and lambs in the field, and first wrought house of stone
and tree, as is noted in the chapter above said. And his brother Tuball found
the science of Musicke, songe of tonge, harpe and orgaine. And ttie third
brother Tuball Cain found smithcraft of gold, silver, copper, iron and Steele ;
and the daughter found the craft of Weavinge. And these children knew well
that God would take vengeance for synn, either by fire or by water ; wherefore
they writt their science that they had found in two pillars of stone, that they might
be found after Noyes flood. And that one stone was marble, for that would not
bren with fire ; and that other stone was clepped laterns, and would not drown in
noe water.
Our intent is to tell you trulie how and in what manner these stones were
found, that thise sciences were written in. The great Hemarynes that was Cubys
son, the which Cub was Sem's son, that was Noys son. This Hermarynes, after-
wards was called Harmes, the father of wise men ; he found one of the two pillars
of stone, and found the science written there, and Ije taught it to other men.
And at the makinge of the Tower of Babylon there was Masonrye first made
much of. And the Kinge of Babylon that height Nemrothe, was a mason him-
selfe, and loved well the science as it is said with masters of histories. And when
the City of Ninyve and other citties of the East should be made, Nemrothe the
Kinge of Babilon, sent thither threescore masons at the rogation of the Kinge of
Nyneve his cosen. And when he sent them forth, he gave them a charge on this
manner. That they should be true each of them to other, and that they should
love truly together, and that they should serve their lord truly for their pay; soe
that the master may have worshipp and all that long to him. And other moe
charges he gave them. And this was the first tyrae that ever Masons had any
charge of his science.
Moreover when Abraham and Sara his wife went into Egipt, there he taught
the Seaven Scyences to the Egiptians ; and he had a worthy Scoller that height
Ewclyde, and he learned right well, and was a master of all the vij Sciences liberall.
And in his dayes it befell that the lord and the estates of the realme had soe many
sonns that they had gotten, some by their wifes and some by other ladyes of the
realm ; for that land is a hott land and a plentious of generacion. And they had
not competent livelode to find with their children ; wherefore they made much
care. And then the King of the land made a great Counsell and a parliament,
to witt, how they might find their children honestly as gentlemen ; And they could
find noe manner of good way. And then they did crye through all the realm, if
their were any man that could informe them, that he should come to them, and he
should be soe rewarded for his travail, that he should hold him pleased.
After that this cry was made, then came this worthy clarke Ewclyde, and said
to the king and to all his great lords, " If yee will, take me your children to
governe, and to teach them one of the Seaven Scyences, wherewith they may live
honestly as gentlemen should, under a condicion, that yee willgrantme and them
a commission that I may have power to rule them after the manner that the sci-
ence ought to be ruled." And that the Kinge and all his Counsell granted to him
anone and sealed their commission. And then this worthy Doctor tooke to him
these lord's sonns, and taught them the scyence of Geometrie in practice,* for to
worke in stones all manner of worthy worke that belongeth to buildinge churches,
Old Masonic Charges. 27
temples, castells, towres, and manners, and all other manner of buildings ; and
he gave them a charge on this manner.
The first was, that they should be true to the Kinge, and to the lord that they
owe. And that they should love well together, and be true each one to other.
And that they should call each other his fellowe, or else brother, and not by ser-
vant, nor his nave, nor none other foule name. And that the should deserve
their paie of the lord or of the master that they serve. And that they should
ordaine the wisest of them to be master of the worke, and neither for love nor
great lynneage, ne ritches, ne for noe favour to lett another that hath little conning
for to be master of the lord's worke, wherethrough the lord should be evill served
and they ashamed. And also that they should call their governors of the worke.
Master, in the time that they worke with him. And other many moe charges that
longe to tell. And to all these charges he made them to sweare a great oath that
men used in that time ; and ordayned them for reasonable wages, that they might
live honesdy by. And also that they should come and semble together every
yeare once, how they might worke best to serve the lord for his profitt and to their
own worshipp ; and to correct within themselves him that had trespassed against
the science. And thus was the scyence grounded there ; and that worthy Mr.
Ewclide gave it the name of Geometrie. And now it is called through all this
Jand, Masonrye.
SvTHEN longe after, when the Children of Israeli were coming into the Land
of Beheast, that is now called amongst us, the country of Jhrlm. King David
began the Temple that they called Jemplum D'ni, and it is named with us the
Temple of Jerusalem. And the same King David loved Masons well and cher-
ished them much, and gave them good paie. And he gave the charges, and the
manners as he had learned of Egipt given by Ewclyde, and other charges moe
.that yee shall heare afterwards. And after the decease of Kinge David, Sala-
MON that was David's sonn, performed out the Temple that his father begonne ;
and sent after Masons into divers countries and of divers lands ; and gathered
them together, so that he had fourscore thousand workers of stone, and were all
■named Masons. And he chose out of them three thousand that were ordayned to
be maisters and governors of his worke. And furthermore there was a Kinge of
another region that men called Iram, and he loved well Kinge Solomon, and he
gave him tymber to his worke. And he had a sonn that height Aynon, and he
was a Master of Geometrie, and was chiefe Maister of all his Masons, and was
Master of all his gravings and carvinge, and of all manner of Masonrye that
longed to the Temple ; and this is witnessed by the Bible, in libra Regum, the
third chapter. And this Solomon confirmed both charges and the manners that
his father had given to Masons. And thus was that worthy Science of Masonrye
confirmed in the country of Jerusalem, and in many other kingdomes.
Curious craftsmen walked about full wide into divers countryes, some because
of leaminge more craft and cunninge, and some to teach them that had but little
conynge. And soe it befell that there was one curious Mason that height Maymus
Grecus, that had been at the making of Solomon's Temple, and he came into
France, and there he taught the science of Masonrye to men of France. And
there was one of the Regal lyne of Fraunce, that height Charles Martell ; and
he was a man that loved well such a science, and drew to this Mamus Grecxjs
that is above said, and learned of him the science, and tooke upon him the charges
2 8 " Dowland 's MS." (IV.)
and manners ; and afterwards by the grace of God, he was elect to be Kinge of
France. And whan he was in his estate, he tooke Masons, and did helpe to make
men Masons that were none ; and set them to worke, and gave them both the
charge and the manners and good paie, as he had learned of other Masons ; and
confirmed them a Chartor from yeare to yeare, to holde their semble wher they
would ; and cherished them right much ; And thus came the science into France.
England in all this season stood voyd as for any charge of Masonrye unto St.
Albones tyme. And in his days the Kinge of England that was a Pagan, he did
wall the towne about, that is called Sainct Albones, And Sainct Albones was a
worthy Knight and steward with the Kinge of his household, and had governance
of the realme, and also of the makinge of the town walls ; and loved well Masons
and cherished them much. And he made their paie right good, standinge as the
realme did ; for he gave them ij, s. — vj, d. a weeke, and iij, d. to their nonesyn-
ches. And before that time, through all this land, a Mason took but a penny a
day and his meate, till Sainct Albone amended it, and gave them a Chartour of
the King and his Counsell for to hold a general councell, and gave it the name of
Assemble ; and thereat he was himselfe, and helped to make Masons, and gave
them charges, as yee shall heare afterward.
Right soone after the decease of Saint Albone, there came divers warrs
into the realme of England of divers Nations, soe that the good rule of Masonry
was destroyed unto the tyme of Kinge Athelstone dayes that was a worthy Kinge
of England, and brought this land into good rest and peace ; and builded many
great works of Abbyes and Towres, and other many divers buildings ; and loved
well Masons. And he had a sonn that height Edwinne, and he loved Masons
much more than his father did. And he was a great practiser in Geometry ; and
he drew him much to talke and to commune with Masons, and to learne of them
science ; and afterward for love that he had to Masons, and to the science, he
was made Mason, and he gatt of the Kinge his father, a Chartour and Commis-
sion to hold every yeare once an Assemble, wher that ever they would, within the
realme of England ; and to correct within themselves defaults and trespasses that
were done within the science. And he held himselfe an Assemble at Yorke, and
there he made Masons, and gave them charges, and taught them the manners, and
commanded that rule to be kept ever after, and tooke then the Chartour and Com-
mission to keepe, and made ordinance that it should be renewed from Kinge to
Kinge.
And when the Assemble was gathered he made a cry that all old Masons and
young, that had any writeinge or understanding of the charges and the manners
that were made before in this land, or in any other, that they should shew them
forth. And when it was proved, there was tounden some in Frenche, and some
in Greek, and some in English and some in other languages ; and the intent of
them all was founden all one. And he did make a booke thereof, and how the
science was founded. And he himselfe bad and conlmanded that it should be
readd or tould, when that any Mason should be made, tor to give him his Charge.
And fro that day into this tyme manners of Masons have beene kept in that forme
as well as men might governe it. And furthermore divers Assembles have beene
put and ordayned certain charges by the best advice of Masters and fellowes.
'June unus ex seiiioribiis teneai librum, ut illi vel tile ponant vel ponat manus super
librum : et tunc proscepta deberent legi.
Every man that is a Mason, take right good hede to these charges, if that
any man find himselfe guilty in any of these charges, that he amend himselfe
against God. And in principall, yee that been to be charged, take good heed, that
yee may keepe these charges right well, for it is a great perill a man to forsweare
himselfe upon a booke.
The first charge is, that he or thou shalt be true man to God and Holy Church,
and that he use neither error nor herysie by your understandinge or discreet men
or wise men's teachinge. And also that he shall be true liege man to the Kinge of
England without treason or any other falsehoode ; and that they know no treason
ne treachery but if ye amend it privily if ye may, or else warn the Kinge or his
Councell. And also ye shalbe true each one to other (that is to say) to every
Mason of the science of Masonrye that bene Masons allowed, yee shall doe to
them as yee would that they should doe to you ; and also that yee keep truly all
the counsells of Lodge and Chamber, and all other counsells that ought to be kept
by way of masonhood. And also that noe Mason shalbe in thefte or theevishe, for
as farr forth as he may weete or kiiow. And also that yee shalbe true to the lord
or master that ye serve, and truly see his profitt and his advantage. And also ye
shall call Masons your Brethren, or else your Fellowes, and none other foule
names. And also yee shall not take your fellow's wife in villany, nor desire un-
godly his daughter nor his servant, nor put him to noe djsworshipp. And also that
yee pay truly for your meat and drinke there yee go to borde. And also yee shall
doe no villiny in that place where yee goe to bord, whereby the science might be
slandered thereby. These be the charges in generall that belongeth to every true
Mason to keepe, both Masters and Fellowes.
Rehearse I will now other charges singular for Masters and Fellowes. First,
that noe Master shall not take upon him noe lord's worke nor none other man's
worke, but hee know himselfe able and sufficient of coninge to performe and end
the lord's worke, soe that the science have noe slander nor noe disworshipp, but
that the lord may be well served and truly. And also that noe Master take noe
worke, but that he take it reasonable, soe that the lord may be truly served with
his owne good, and the Master to live honestly and to pay his fellowes truly their
paie as the manner is; And also that noe maister ne fellowe shall not supplant
other of their worke (that is to say) and ye have taken a worke, or else stand
maister of the lord's worke, yee shall not put him out, but if he be unable of
conynge for to end the worke ; And also that noe Master nor noe fellowe take
noe apprentice within the tearme of seaven yeares : and that the apprentice be
able, ot birth freeborne, and of lymes whole as a man ought to be. And also that
noe maister nor fellowe take noe allowance to be made Mason without the assent
and the counsell of his fellowes at the least sixe or seaven given yeares ; and he
that shalbe made Mason to be able in all manner of degrees, (that is to say)
free-borne, and of good kindred come, and true and noe bondman : And also that
noe Mason, shall not take noe apprentice but if he have sufficient occupacion for
to occupie on two fellowes, or else three at the least ; And also that noe maister
nor fellowe, put noe lord's worke to taske that was wont to goe to jornaye : And
also that every Master shall give paye to his fellowes but as he may deserve, so
that yee bee not deceived by false workmen : And also that none of you slander
another behind his back to make him to loose his good name or his worldly goods ;
And also that no fellowe within the Lodge or without mis-answer eyther ungodly
or reprovably without reasonable cause. And also that every Mason shall rever-
E
ence his elder and and put him to worshippe ; And also that no Mason shall not
be any common player at hazard or at the dice, nor afany other unlawfull playes
whereby the science might be slendered ; And also that noe Mason shall not use
noe lechery, nor be noe bawde, whereby the science niight be slendered. And
also that noe fellowe goe into the towne on nights tyme there as a lodg is of fellowes,
without that he have a fellowe with him that he may beare him witnesse that he was
in an honest place ; And also that every Master and fellowe shall come to th'
Assemble, an it be within fifty myles about him, if he have any writeinge. And
if yee have trespassed against the science, for to abide the award of the masters
and fellowes, and to make them accorded if they may, and, if they may not accord
them, to goe to the common law ; and also that ne maister, ne fellowe make noe
molde nor squayar nor rule to noe layer, nor set noe layer within the lodge, nor
without, to hew noe molde stones. And also that every Mason receive and cher-
ish strange fellowes when they come over the countryes, and set them a worke and
they will, as the manner is, (that is to say) yf to have no mould stones in his place,
he shall refresh him with money into the next lodge. And also that every Mason
shall truly serve the lorde for his paie, and every master truly make an end of his
worke, be it taske or jorney, if yee have your covenants and all that yee ought
for to have. These charges that wee now rehearsed to you and to all other that
belongeth to Masons yee shall keepe soe helpe your God, and your holydome,
and by this booke unto your power. Amen !
( Reprinted from the Gentleman' s Magazine, A.D. 1815.^
Old Masonic Charges. 2,1"
"LANSDOWNE MS." (C)
About A.D. 1560.
" Here Begineth the True Order of Masonrie.
" TAe might of the Father of the Heavens The Wisdome of the Glorious Son,
And the goodnesse of the Ifo/y Ghost three persons 'and one God be with vs now
and ever Amen.
" Good Bretheren and Fellows our purjjose is to ,shew you how and in what
manner this Noble and Worthy Craft of Masonry was first founded and begun,
And afterwards how it was confirmed by worthy Kings and Princes and by many
other Worshipfull men, And also to all those the be heere, Weeminde to shewe you
the Charge that belongs to every trew Mason to keep, for in good Faith if you take
good heed it is well worthy to be kept for A worthy Craft and curious Science.
Sf^ there be Seaven Liberal! Sciencies of which the Noble Craft of Masonry is one,
And the Seaven be these, The first is Gramer and that teacheth A man to Spell
and Write trewly. The second is Rethorick and that teacheth A man to speake
faire and Subtill, The third is Lodgick and that teacheth A man deseme the trew
from the false, The ffowrth is Arethmatick and that teacheth A man to Reckon and
Account all manner of Accompts, the fifth is Geometry and that teacheth A
manf and Measur of Earth and of all things of the which this
Science is called Geometry, The sixth is called Musick, and that teacheth A man
to sing with Voyce and Tongue and Organ Harp ai^^d Trump, The Seaventh is
called Astronemy and that teacheth A man to know the Course of the Sunn and
the Moone and the Starrs, these be the Seaven Liberall Sciencies of the which all
be founded by one which is Geometry, and thus a man, may prove that all the
Seaven Sciencies be founde by Geometric for it Teacheth A manf and
Measure Ponderation weight on all things on Earth, For there is noe Workman
that Worketh any Craft but he worketh by some Mett or Measure. And every
man that buyeth or Selleth they buy or Sell by some weight or Measure, And all
this is Geometry, And the Merchants and all other Craftsmen of the Seaven
Sciencies, and the Plowmen and Tillers of the Earth and Sowers of all manner of
Graines Seeds and Vine plants, and Setters of all manner of ffruits : For Gramer
or Arethmatick nor Astronomy nor none of all the Seaven Sciencies can no man
finde Mett or Measure in without Geometry wherefore methinks that the said
Science of Geometry is most worthy. And all the other be founded by it. But how
this worthy Science and Craft was first founded and begun I shall tell you before
Noyes fflood there was A man which was called Zameth as it is written in the Bible
in the 4th Chapter of Genesis, and this Lameth had 2 Wifes the one called Ada
the odier Sella, by the first wife Ada he begat a Sonije and a Daughter And these
4 Children foimd the begining of all these Crafts and Sciencies in the World flfor
32 " Lansdowne MS." (C.)
the Eldest Sonne Gabell found the Craft of Geometry and he fed fiflocks of Sheep
and Lambs in the fifeild : And first wrouglit houses of Stone and he and his
Brother lubali found the Crafts of Mustek song of mouth harp and Organs and
all other Instruments. The third Brother lubalican found the Smith Craft of Gold
and Silver Iron and Copper and Steel, And the Daughter found the Craft of
Webbing and these Children knew well that God would take vengeance for Sinn
either by ffire or Water, wherefore they wrought the Scyences they had founded in
2 Fillers of Stone, that they might be found afterwards, and the one Stone was
called Marble for that would not burne in the ffire, and the other Stone was called
Latherne and that would not be drowned with water ; Our Intent is to tell you
how and in what manner these Stones were found that these Sciencies was written
on the Herminenis that was Cubb liis Sonne, The which Cubb. Semd. Sonne the
which Sonne was Noaths Sonne this same Herminerus was afterwards called
Armes the ffather of the Wisemen he found one of the i pillers of Stone and
found the Science written therein and he taught it to others, And at the makeing
of the tower of Babilon, was Masonrie first made there much of, and the King
of Babilon called Nemroth who was a Mason himselfe and loved well the rest as
is said with the Masters of Stories, And when the City of Ninniey or the City of
the East Port should have bin made Nemroth the King of Babilon sent thither
Sixty Masons of his Region to the King of Ninevey his cozen, And when he sent
them forth he gave them a Charge in this manner.
" 7he first was that they should bs true to their King Lord or Master that they
served and that they shoulde Ordaine the most wise and cunning man to be
Master of the King or Lords worke that was amongst them, and neither for Love
Riches nor favour to sett another that had little cunninge to be Master of that
Worke whereby the Lord should bee ill served And the Science ill Defamed.
" Secondly that they should call the Governor of the Worke Master all the tyme
they wrought with him and other many more Charges that were to long to write,
and for the keeping of all those Charges he made them sware a great Oath
which men vsed at that time. And ordained for them reasonable pay that they
might live with honestie, and also he gave them in Charge that they should As-
semble togather every yeare once to see how they might Worke best to serve the
King or Lord for their profitt and their owne Workship, And also that they should
correct within themselves those that had Trespassed against the Science or Craft,
And thus was this Noble Craft first grounded there, And the worthy Mr Ewclides
gave it the name of Geometry, And how it is called throughout all the World
Masonrie Long after when the Children of Israeli were come into the Land Berhest
which is now called the Countrey of Jerusalem where King David begun the
Temple that is now called lemplii Dei, and is named with us the Temple of
Jerusalem, and the same King David Loved Masons then right well and gave them
good pay, and he gave the Charges and Manners that ;he learned in Egipt which
were given by that worthy Doctor Ewclid and other more charges that you shall
heare after wardes ; And after the decease of King David, then Reigned Solloman
that was King Davids Sound and he performed out the Temple that his ffather had
begun and he sent after Masons into Diverse Countreys and into Diverse Lands
and he gathered them togeather so that he had 24000 Workers of Stone and were
all named Masons and he Chosed out of them 3000 and were all ordained to be
Masters, Rulers and Governors of his worke, and then was there a King of
another Region which men called Iram and he loved well King Solloman and gave
Old Masonic Charges. 33
him Timber to his work and he had a Sonne that was called a man that was
Master of Geometry, and was chiefe Master of all his Masonrie & of all his
Graving, Carving and all other Masonry that belonged to the Temple, this is
Witnessed in the holy Bible (in Libro Regium quarto et Tertio) and this same
Solloman Confirmed both the Charges and the Manners which his ffather had
given. And thus was the worthy Craft of Masonrie confirmed in that countrey of
Jerusalem And many other Regions and Kingdoms men walked into Diverse
Countreys some because of Learning to learne more Cunning, And some to
teach them that had but little Cunning, and soe it befell that there was a Curious
man named Namas Greecious who had beene at the makeing of Sollomans Temple
And he came from thence into France and there he taught the Science of Masonrie
to men of that Land and so there was one of the Royall Line of France called
Charles Marshall and he was A man that loved well the said Craft and took upon
him the Rules and Manners and after that By the Grace of God he was elect
to be the King of firance and when he was in his Estate he helped to make those
Masons that were now, and sett them on Work and gave them Charges and Man-
ners and good pay as he had Learned of other Masons, and Confirmed them a
Charter from yeare to yeare to hold their Assembly when they would and
Cherished them right well, and thus came this Noble craft into ffrance and England,
in that season stood void as ffbragine Charge of Masons vntill St. Albanes and
St. Albans was a worthy Knight and Steward to the King of his household and
had Government of his Realme And also of the makeing of the Walls of the said
Towne, and he loved well Masons and Cherished them much and made there pay
right good for he gave them iijs vjd a week & iijd before that time all the Land a
Mason took but one penny a day and his meat till St. Albones mended it and he
gott them a Charter of the King and his Councell for to hold a Generall Councell
and gave it to name Assembly. Thereat was he himselfe and did help to make
Masons and gave them Charges as you shall heare afterwards, soone after the
Decease of St. Albones there came Diverse Warrs into England out of Diverse
Nations so that the good rule of Masons was dishired and put downe vntill the
tyme of Kin% Adilsion in his tyme there was a worthy King in England that
brought this Land into good rest and he builded many great workes and buildings,
therefore he loved well Masons for he had a Sonne called Edwin the which Loved
Masons much more then his ffather did and he was soe practized in Geometry
that he delighted much to come and talke with Masons and to Learne of them
the Craft, And after for the love he had to Masons and to the Craft, he was made
Mason at Windsor and he gott of the King his ffather a Charter and Commission
once every yeare to have Assembley within the Realme where they would within
England and to correct within themselves ffaults & Trespasses that weere done
as Touching the Craft, and he held them an Assembley at Yorke and there he made
Masons and gave them Charges and taught them the Manners, and Comands
the same to be kept ever afterwards And tooke them the Charter and Commission
to keep their Assembly and Ordained that it should be renewed from King to
King, and when the Assembley were gathered togeather he made a Cry that all old
Masons or young that had any Writeings or Vnderstanding of the Charges and
manners that weere made before their Lands wheresoever they were made Masons
that they should shew them forth, there were found some in ffrench, some in Greek
some in Hebrew and some in English, and some in other Languages, and when
they were read and over seen well the intent of them was vnderstood to be all
one, and then he caused a Booke to be made thereof how this worthy Craft of
Mawnrie \fa.5 first founded and he himselfe Comanded and also then caused that
34 " Lansdowne MS" {C.)
it should be read at any tyrae when it should happen *any Mason or Masons to be
made to give him or them their Charges, and from that time vntill this Day Man-
ners of Masons have been kept in this Manner and forme as Well as Men might
Governe it and ffurthermore at diverse Assemblyes have been put and Ordained
diverse Charges by the best advice of Masters and ffellows (Tunc vnus ex Seniori-
bus tentat Librum et ille ponent manam Suara Super Librum^ Every man that is a
Mason take good heede to these Charges, If any man finde himselfe guilty in any
of these Charges we pray that he may amend himselfe or princpially for dread of
God you that be charged take good heede that you keep all these Charges well
for it is a great perill to a man to forsweare himselfe vpon a Booke.
" Ike First Charge is that you shall be true to God and holy Church and to
vse noe Error or Heresie you vnderstanding and by wise mens teaching, also that
you shall be Leige men to the King of England without Treason or any ffalshood
and that you know noe Treason or treachery but that ye amend and give know-
ledge there of to the King or his Councell also that ye shall be true to one
another (that is to say) every Mason of the Craft that is Mason allowed you shall
doe to him as you would be done to yor selfe.
" Secondly and ye shall keep truely all the Councell of the Lodge or of the
Chamber, and all the Councell of the Lodge that ought to be kept by the way of
Masonhood also that you be noe theefe nor theeves to yor knowledge free that you
shall be true to the King Lord or Master that you serve and truly to see and worke
for his advantage also you shall call all Masons yor ffellows or yo^ Brethren and
noe other names :
" Fowerthly also you shall not take yo'^ ffellows wife in Villoney nor defiowre
his Daughter or Servant nor put him to disworship also you shall truely pay for
yor meat or drinke wheresoever you goe to Table or Board whereby the Craft or
Science may be slandered. These be the charges Generall that belong to every
true Masons both Masters and Fellows.
" Now I will rehearse other Charges single for Masons Allowed.
" First that noe Mason take on him noe Lords worke nor other mans but if he
know himselfe well able to pforme the work soe that the Craft have noe Slander.
" Secondly also that noe Master take worke but that he take reasonable pay for
it, soe that the Lord may be truely served and the Master to live honestly and to
pay his ffellows truely also that no Master or fifellow suplant others of their worke
(that is to say) if he have taken a worke or else stand Master of a worke that he
shall not put him out without he be vnable of Cunninge to make an end of his
Worke, alsoe that noe Master nor ffellow shall take noe Prentice for lesse than
Seaven yeares and that the prentice be able of Birth that is ffree borne and of
Limbs whole as a Man ought to be and that noe Mason or ffellow take no allow-
ance to be maid Mason without the Assent of his ffellows at the least Six or Seaven,
that he that he maide be able in all degrees that is free borne and of a good Kindred
true and no bondsman and that he have his right Lirnbes as a man ought to have.
" Thirdly also that a Master take noe Prentice without he have Occupcon suffic-
ient to Occupie two or three Fellows at least.
" Fowerthh also that noe Master or ffellow put away Lords worke to Taske
that ought to be Journey worke.
" Fiftly also that every Master give pay to his ffellow* and Servants as they may
deserve so that he be not defamed with false working.
Old Masonic Charges. 35
" Sixthly also that none Slander another behind his back to make him loose his
good name.
" Seventhly that noe ffellow in the house or abroad answere anotlier Vngodly or
repravably without cause.
" Eightley also that every Master Mason reverence his elder also that a Mason
be no Common player at the Dice Cards or hazard nor at any other Vnlawful
playes through the which the Science and craft may be dishonerd.
" Ninethly also that noe Mason vse no Lechery nor have been abroad whereby
the Craft may be dishonored or Slandered.
■' Tenthly also that no ffellow goe into the Towne by night except he have a ,
ffellow with him who may beare record that he was in an honest place.
" Eleventhly also that every Master and ffellow shall come to the Assembly if
it be within 50 Miles of him if he have any warning and if he have trespassed
against the Craft to abide the award of the Master and ffellows.
" Twelihly also that every Master Mason and ffellow that have trespass'd against
the Craft shall stand in Correcon of other Masters and ffellows to make hin
accord and if they cannot accord to goe to the Comon Law.
" Ihirteenthly also that a Master or ffellow make not a Moulde Stone Square
nor rule to no Lowen nor Sett no Lowen worke within the Lodge nor without to
no Mould Stone.
" Fourteenthly also that every Mason receive or cherish Strange Fellows when
they come over the Countrey and sett them on work if they will worke as the
Manner is (that is to say) if the Mason have any Moulde Stone in his place on
worke and if he have none the Mason shall refresh him with money vnto the next
Lodge.
" Fifteenthly also that every Mason shall truely serve his Master ffor his pay.
" SiyJeenthly also that every Master shall truely.make an end of his worke taske
or Journey whethersoe it bee.
" These be all the Charges and Covenants that ought to be had read at the
makeing of a Mason or Masons.
" The Almighty God who have you 6^ me in his keeping Amen."
(A certified Transcript from the British Museum.)
36 " York MS. No. i." (D.)
"YORK MS. No. I." (D)
About A.D., 1600.
An Anagraime upon the name of Masonrie
William Kay to his friend Rob* Preston
vpon his Artt of Masonrie as folioweth.
g Much might be said of the noble Artt
> A Crafts thats worth estieming in eich part
en Sundry Nations Noobles & their Kings also
O Oh how they sought its worth to know J- Masonrie.
Iz; Nimrod & Solomon the wisest of all men
*7j Reason saw to love this Science then
i-i He say noe more lest by my shallow" verses I
W Endeavouring to praise should blemish Masonrie.
THE CONSTITUTIONS OF
MASONRIE.
THE might of the Father of heaven with wisedonie of y^ blessed Sonne through
ye grace of God & goodnesse of ye holy ghost y* be three psons in one god-
head be with vs at our beginning & give vs grace soe to governe vs here in this
life yt we may come to his blessing y* nev' shall have ending : And good brethren
& fellows our purpose is to tell y" how and in what manner this worty Science
of Masonrie was begun & afterward how it was found by worty Kings & Princes
& by many other Worshipfull men, And also to them yt be here we will declare
ye charges y* belonge to every Free Mason to keep sure in good faith. And
therefore take good heed hereto it is well worthy to be kept well fory* ye Science
is ancient for there be vij liberall Sciences of ye woh it is one & ye names of ye
seven Sciences be these, first Grammer wct teacheth a man to speak truly &
write truly. And ye second is Rhetoricke & teacheth a man to speak faire plaine
in subtile termes & ye third is Dielectick or LodgicK. yt teacheth a man to discern
truth from falsbood. And ye fourth is Arithmetick & that teacheth a man to reckon
& to accompt all mannr of numbs- And ye fifth is called Geomatrie & teacheth
all measure of grounds of all other things of ye wch Science is grounded Masonrie :
& ye fifth Science is called Musicke & y* teacheth a. man ye Science of Song &
vioU of tongue & organ harp trumpett. And ye seventh Science is called Astron-
omie Sz: y* teacheth a man to know ye course of ye Sonne Moone & Starrs.
These be ye vij liberall Sciences ye wel' Seven be sXl grounded by one yt is to say
Geometric for by this may a man pve ye Essence of worke as founded by Geom-
atrie so Geomatrie teacheth meat measure ponderation & weight of all manner of
things on earth for there is noe man yt worketh any Science but he worketh by
some measure or weight & all this is Geomatrie, & 'Marchants & all crafts men &
Old Masonic Charges. 3 7
all other of ye vij Sciences & espetially ye plower & tiller of all manner of
graines & seeds planters of vinyeards sells of fruits, for in Grammer retorick nor
astronome nor in any of all ye liberell Sciences can any man finde meat or measure
without Geomatrie, me thinks yt this Science Geomatrie i*s most worthy & foundeth
all others. How these worty Sciences was first begotten I shall y" tell viz. Before
Noah flood there was a man called Lamech as is written in the Scripture in ye 4*11
Chaptr of Genesis And this Lamech had two wives ye one named Adah by whome
he had two Sons ye one named Jabell ye other named Jubell. And his other wife
was called Zillah by whome he had one sone named Tubelcaine & one daughter
named Naamah & these four children founded ye beginning of all ye Sciences in ye
world viz Jabell ye eldest Sone found out ye Science of Geomatre he was a keepr of
flocks of sheep & Lands in the Fields as it is noted in ye Chaptr before sd And his
brothr Juball fonnd ye Science of Musicke Song of Tongue harpe & organ And
ye third Brother Tuball Caine found ye Science called Smith Craft of Gold Silvr
Iron Coppr & Steele & ye Daughf found ye ara of Weaving And these persoiis
knowing right well yt God would take vengeance for sinne either by fire or water,
wherefore they writt their severall Sciences y* they had found in two Fillers of
stone yt they might be found aftr Noah his Flood And ye one stone was Marble
because it would not burne wtt fire & ye othr called Lternes because it would not
dround wit watr now our intent is to tell yn how & in what manner these Stones
were found in woh these Sciences were written the ancient Hermarines was a Cube
his Son ye which Cub was Sem yt was Noahs Son ; these Hermarines was after
called ye fathr of wise men. he found one of ye two pillcrs of Stone & he found
ye Sciences written therein & he tought yt to other men. And at ye makeing of ye
Toure of Babell there was Masonrie first much esteemed of & the King of Babilon
yt was called Nimrod was A mason himselfe & loved well Masons & yt Science as
it is said amonge Masters of Histories. And when ye city of Ninevie & othr
cities of ye East should be builded Nimrod ye King of Babylon sent thither sy
Masons at ye request of ye King of Ninevie his Cousen and when he sent them
forth he gave them a charge on this mann^ yt they should be true each one of
them to othr & yt they should love well one anothr & yt they should serve their
Lord truly for their pay soe yt ye mastr may have pay & all that belongeth unto
him & othr moe charges he gave them & this was ye first time yt ever any Masons
had any charge of his Craft. Moreover Abraha»i & Sarah his wife went into Egypt
And there he tought ye vij Sciences to ye egyptians & and he had a worty Scholler
named Euclide & he learned right well & was Mr. of all ye vij Sciences liberall
& in his dayes it befell yt ye Lordes & States of ye Lands had soe many Sons
some by their wives & some by their concubines for yt land is a hott land &
plentious of Gen^ation & they had not a competent p portion of estate where-
with to maintaine their s<i Children, wherefore they tooke much care & the King
of yt land caused a great counsell & sumaned a parliament to consult how they mighte
pvide for their children whereon they mighte live honestly as Gentlemen & they
could finde noe mann"" of good way And then they made a pclamation throughout
all ye Realme yt if there any yt could informe them therein j-t he should come to
ym & he should be well rewarded for his travaile so yt he should hould himselfe
sattisfied. After this p clamation was made came this worthy Clarke Euclide &
said to ye Hing & to his JloblfS if y" will except of me to teach instruct
& governe yr children in ye vij Sciences whereby they might live honestly
as Gentlemen I shall do it upon condition yt you will grant me & them a
Comission yt I may have power to rule them after ye manner ye Sciences ought to
be ruled wch ye King & all ye Counsell granted him & Sealed ye Comsssion And
G
then this worthy Doctor tooke to himselfe Lords Sonnes & tought them y« Science
of Geomatrie & practise to worke in Stones all manner of worthy work y* belongeth
to buildings Churches Temples Castles Toures mannos & all manner of Buildings
& gave them in Charge on this mannoi^- First yt they should be true to ye Lord
yt they serve & y* they should love well on another & y' they should be true one
to anothr & yt they should call each other his Fellow or his Brother & not his
Servt or Knave or othr foule names & y* they should truly deserve their pay of
their Lord or ye MJ" yt they serve & y* they should ordaine ye wisest of them to be
Mr of ye worke & neithr to chuse for Love nor efection nor great nor riches to
sett any y' hath nor sufficient Knowledge and cimningin ye worke to be Mr of ye
worke whereby ye Mr should be evill served & they disgraced or ashamed & also
yt they should call ye gov nor of ye worke M"^ dureing ye time yt they worke with
him & other more charges yt is to long here to tell c^ to all these Charges he made
them to sweare a great Oath that men used in yt time & ordained for them reason-
able pay or Wages yt they might live honestly thereby & also y* they should come
& assemble themselves together once every yeare and consult how they might best
worke for their Lords pfitt & their own credit & to correct within themselves him
yt trespassed agt ye Science & thus was ye Science grounded there & yt worthy Mr-
Euclid was ye first yt gave it ye name of Geomatrie the weh is now called Masonrie
throughout all this nation And after yt when ye children of Israeli were coma into
ye land of Behest which is now called among us ye Countrie of Jurie King David
begun ye Temple yt is now called Temple Dom & is named with us ye Temple of
Jerusalem & ye sd King David loved well Masons & cherished them much & he
gave them good wages & he gave them both ye charges & mannas as he had learned
in Egypt given formerly by Euclid and other raoe charges yt y^ shall hear after-
wards after ye decease of King David Solomon his Son finished out ye s<i Temple
yt his father had begun & he sent for Masons into divers countreys of divers Lands
& gathered them together soe yt he had four score thousand workers of stone &
were all named Masons he chose out of them three thousand yt was ordained to
be Mrs. & govmors of his worke And furthermore there was A King of anothr
Region yt men called Hieram & he loved King Sollomon well & he gave him
Timbr to his worke And he had a Sonne named Amon & he was a M"" of Geomatrie
& he was chief M"" of all his graveings, Carvings & all of his Masons iSt Masonrie
as appeares in Scripe in Libro primo Regnj & Chapf ye 5th- And this Sollomon
Confirmed both Charge & mannas yt fiig Father had given to Masons & thus was
yt worthy Science of Masonrie confirmed in yt Country of Jurie & at ye Cit)' of
Jerusalem And in many oth' Kingdomes Curious Craftsmen walked abt out full
wide & spred themselves into divers Countryes some to Learne moe craft & cunning
& some to teach them yt had little skill h cunning And yt befell yt there was one
Curious Mason called Namus Grecas yt had beine at ye building of Sollomons
Temple & he came into France & there he taught ye Science of Masonrie to men
of France & there was one of Royall line of France called Charles Martall & he
was a man yt loved well such a Craft & he drue to this Namus Grecas above said
& he learned of him ye Craft & tooke upon him ye charge & mannrs & aftwards
by ye Providence ot God he was elected King of France & when he was in ye
Estate he tooke & helped to make men Masons w^h before were none & gave
them both ye charge & ye mannas dt good pay as he had learned of othr Masons
& also confirmed a Chartr from yeare to yeare to hold their Assembly where they
would And cherished them right much thus came this famous Craft into France.
England in all this time stood void of Masonrie espetialy for any Charge imposed
upon yt Science untill St. Aibons time & in his days ye King of England yt was
then A pagaii did wall y^ Towne of St. Albons about & St, Albons was a worthy K*
& Steward of y« King's Household & had Governaute of ye Realme & also had
ye ordering of ye s"! Town Walls & he Loved well Masons & cherished them right
much & made their pay right good considering how wages & other things stood
then for he gave them ijs — vid a week & iijil for their nonfinch & before y* time
through out all this Land a mason tooke but a Peny a day untill St. Albons ad-
vanced it as above s<i & pcured them a Charts of ye King & his Counsell whereby
for to hold a general counsell & gave it ye name of Assembly & there at he was
himself & helped to make men Masons & gave them a tharge as yn shall here aftr
hear. But it happened shortly after ye death of St. Albone yt there arose great
warrs in England w«li came out of divers nations soe that ye good ord"" of Masonrie
was destroyed untill ye days of King Athelston who was a worthy King ot England
& brought this land in good rest and peace & builded many great workes as Abbeys
Tonnes & othr mannrs oi Buildings & loved well masons & he had a Son named
Edwin & he loved Masons much more then his Father & he was a great practionr
in Geomatrie & he delited much to talke k comune with Masons & to learn of them
skill & cunning & afterward for love he bore to masons & to their Science he was
made a mason &c he pcured for them of ye King his father a chart' & Commission
to hold every yeare an Assembly wheresoev they would within ye Realm of Eng-
land & to correct within themselves defaults & trespasses yt were done within ye
craft & he himself held an Assembly at York & there he made masons & gave
them the charges & taught them ye manners 85 comanded y* rule to be kept ever
after & also tooke for them ye charter to keep & also gave ord^ y* it should be
renued from King to King. And when ye Assembly was gathered together he
made pclamation yt all old masons or young y* had any writeings or und'standing
of ye charge & ye mannrs concerning ye sd Science y* were made before in this
Land or any othr yt they should bring them forth & when they had viewed & exam-
ined there found some in French, some in Greek, some in English & some in othr
Languages & y* intent & meaning of them was found all out & he had made a
book thereof how ye Craft was founded & he himself gg.ve comand yt it should be
read or told wiien yt any Masons should be made & to give them ye Charge And
from yt day to this day, Manrs of Masons have been kept & observed in yt forme
as well as men might Observe & goveme it. And furthermore at divese Assem-
blyes an Adition of certaine things in ye charges ordained by ye 1 est advice of
Masters & Fellows- — Tunc umis ex senioribus teneat Librum vt ilk veil illi potiat vel
potiant inamis Sup Librum et tunc precpta deberent Legi — Every man y* is a Mason
take right good heed to these Charges & if any man find himself guilty in any of
these charges y* he amend himselfe before God & in pticulary yee yt are to be
charged take good heed yt yee may keep these charges right well for it is prillous
& great danger for a man to forsweare himself upon ye holy Scripture. The first
Charge is that he or thou be true man to God & ye holy church & yt yu use neithr
erour nor heresie according to yor own understanding or discreet & wise mens
teaching & also yt he shall be truly lege man & bear true Allegiance to ye King
of England without any treason or any othr falshood & if they know of any treason
or treachery yt you amend it privily if ye may or else warne ye King or his coun-
sell of it by declareing it to ye Magistrates. And alsoe yee shall be true one to
anothr yt is to say to every Mason of ye Craft of Masonrie yt be allowed Masons
yu shall doe to them as y« would they should doe to y" And yt ju keep truely all
ye counsell of Lodge & chamber & all other counsell yt ought to be kept by way
of Masonrie & also yt yu use noe theeverie but keep yorselves true. And also
yu shall be true to ye Lord or Mastr yu serve & truly see his pfitt & advantage
pmoted & furth^ed. And also you shall call Masons yor Brethren or Fellows
but not any other foul name. And y" shall not take in villany yor Fellows wife
nor unlawfully desire his daughf or serv* nor put him to any discredit. And also
yt yu pay truly for yor meat & drink where yu goe to table & y* y" doe not any
thing whereby ye craft may be Scandalized or whereby it may receive disgrace.
These be ye charges in generall that belongeth every Mason to keep both Mastrs
& Fellows. Now come I to rehearse certain othr charges singularly for Masfs &
Fellows viz That noe Mi" take upon him any Lords Work or any other mens
work except he know himself to be of suficient skill & Cuning to pform & finish
ye same soe y' ye Craft thereby receive noe slander or discredit but yt ye Lord
be wel served & have his work truly & suficiently done And also yt noe Mr. take
any work at unreasonable rates but so Reasonably yt,ye Lord or ownr may be true
served wtli his own goods & ye Mr to live honestly thereby & to pay his fellows
truly their wages as ye manni" is. And also yt no Mr or Fellow shiU suplant anothr
of his work y* is to say if any Mr or Fellow have taken any work to doe & therefore
stand as Mr of ye sd work yee shall not put him out of it unless he be unable of
skill & Cuning to pforme ye same to ye end & also y* noe Mr or Fellow take any
apprentice undr ye terme of Seven years & yet sucl: aprntice suficiently able of
body & sound of lymbs & also of good birth free born noe Alian but descended
of a true & honest kindred & noe bondman & also yt noe mason take any aprntice
unless he have suficient occupation whereon to etaploy two or three Fellows at ye
least And also y' noe Mr or Fellow put any to take any Lords work yt was wont
to work Journey work And also y* every Mr shall give wages to his Fellowes
according to his worke doth deserve yt he be not deceived by false work. And
also yt none shall slandr anothr behinde his back whereby he may loose his good
name or wordly riches. Also yt no fellow within ye Lodge or without shall mis
answer or reprove unlawfully anothr without cause. And also yt every Mason
shall reverence his Eldr brothr & put him to honour. Also yt noe Mason shall be
a comou player att cards or dice or any othr unlawfull game or games whereby ye
Science may be slandered & disgraced & also yt noe fellow at any time goe
from his fellowes of ye Lodge into any towne adjoining except he have a fellow
with him to witness yt he was in honest place & civill company. And also yt every
Mr & fellow shall come to ye Assemblie of Masons if it be within 1 : mile about
him if he have any warning of ye same. And if he or they have trespassed or
offended against ye craft all such soe trespassing shall stand there at ye award
& Arbitration of ye Mastrs & Fellowes there & they to make them accord if they
can or may & if they cannot agree them then to goe to ye comon Law & also
yt no Mr or Fellow make any mould rule or square of any Layer nor set any
Layer or without to hew any mould stones. And that every Mason shall
cherish strange fellowes when they come out of othr Countreys & set them on
worke if he can as ye manr is viz. if he have no Stones nor moulds in yt place
he shall refresh him wtt money to suply his necesityes untill he come at ye next
Lodge. And also yt every Mason shall pforme his work truly & not sleightily for
his pay but serve his Lord truly for his wages & also yt every Mr shall truly make
an end of his work whether it be by Tax or by Jorney viz by measure or by dayes
if he have his pay & all othr covents pformed to him by ye Lord of ye work accord-
ing to ye bargaine. These Charges yt we have now rehearsed to yu k. to all oths
here prsent wet belongeth to Masons y" shall well & truly keep to yor powr so
help you God &: by ye contents of yt booke — Amen.
(An exact Transcript of the original, by W. /. H-ughan.)
Old Masonic Charges. 41
"GRAND LODGE MS." (F)
A.D. 1632.
3^8^ mtg^l'e of t^e dFatJeC of tf^^f" and ye wysdome of ye glorious Sonne
^^ through ye grace and ye goodness of ye holy ghost yt bee three psons in one
God, be wi us at or beginning and give us grace so to govrne us here in 01^ lyving
that wee may come to his bliss that never shall have ending. Amen.
ffiOOll liretfjren anb fellotofS our purpose is to tell you howe & in what mann
wise this woorthy crafti of massonrie was begun and afterwards howe y* was kept
by woorthy Kings and Prynces & by many other worshipfull men and also to
those that bee heire we will chardge ye by the chardges that longith to evy free
masson to keepe, for in good faithe, and they take good heed to yt, yt is woorthy
to be well kepte, for yt is a woorthy Crafte and a durious science, for their bee
seavin liberall sciences of ye w^^ seavin y* is one of them, and ye names of ye
seavin sciences be these.
The first is Grammr and that teacheth a man tQ speake trewly and to write
trewly. The second is Rhetoricke and that teacheth a man to speake faier in
subtill terms. And the third is Dialecticke and that teacheth a man to deseme
or knowe trueth from falsehoode. And the fourth is Arithmeteicke, and that
teaches a man to reken and to compt all mann of numbers. And fyfte is Geom-
etrey and that teacheth a man the mett and measure of earth and all other things.
The which science is called Geometrey. And the sixth science is called Musicke,
and that teacheth a man the crafte of song and voice of tongue and organe, harpe
and trompe. And the seavinth science is called Astronomic, and that teacheth
a man to knowe the course of the Sunne & of the Mone and of the Starrs.
These be the vii liberall Sciences, the wh vii be all found by one Science, that
is to saye Geometrey. And this maye a manne prove that the Science of the
worlde is found by Geometrey, for Geometrey teaches a man to measure, ponder-
ation, or weight of all mann of things on earthe, for there is no mann that
woorketh any crafte but he woorks by some mett or by some measure. Nor no
man buyeth or sellith but by some measure or some weight, and all this is Geom-
etrey, and all these marchants and all Crafts men, and all other of the vi Sciences,
and especially the ploweman and the tillers of all mann of graine and seeds
vyneplanters, and setters of other fruits, for by Grarnm"" nor Arthmeteicke nor
Astronomy nor none of all the vi Sciences can no man fynde mett nor measure
w^out Geometrey. Wherfore we thinketh that the Science of Geometrey is
most woorthey that findeth all others.
|80to tf)t0 toOOrtfipe Science was fyrstle begun I shall telly™- Before Noe's
fludd their was a man that was called Lamech, as yt was wiytten in the Byble in
the fourth chap, of genesis. And this Lamech had two wyves, the one wyfe
height Adaa, and the other height Sella. By his first wyfe Adaa he gat twoe
Soonnes, and the one heighte Jabell and the other Juball, and by the other wyfe
Sella, he begat a son and a daughter, and theise iiij children found the beginning
of all the Crafts in the worlde. And this elder soonne Jabell found the Craft of
Geometrey and be deptd flocke of sheepe and lande in the field, and firste wraught
houses of stone and tree (as y* is noted in the chapter abovesaid.) And his brother
Juball found the Craft of Musicke, Song of tongue, harp and orgain. And the
third brother Tubalcain found Smights Crafte of gold silvr and copper, yron and
Steele. And the daughter found the Craft of Weaving. And these Children
knew well that God woulde take vengeance for synne ether by fyer or water,
wherfore they wrytten their Sciences yt they had found in ij pyllers of stone that
they might be found after Noe's fludd. And the one stone was marble, for
that will not burne with any fyre, and the other stone was called Latres for that
woulde not drown in water.
Our intent is to tell you treuly howe and in what mann these stones were found
that these Sciences were wrytten in. The great Hermarines that was Cubys Sonne
the w^ Cubye was Semms Sonnne, that was Noe's soonne. This same Hermarines
was afterward called Hermes the father of Wisdome, he found one of the ij pyllers
of stone and found the Science wrytten thereon, and he tauhgt y* to other men.
And at the making of the tower of Babilon there was Massonry made muche of
And the Kyng of Babylon that heighte Nemroth was a Masson himself and loved
well the Craft as yt was said with masters of stories. And when the Citte of
Nynyvie and other cities of the Est should be made Nembroth King of Babylon
sent thither fortie Massons at the request of the Kyng of Nynyive his cussin, and
when he sent them forth he gave them a chardge in this«mann. That they should
be true one to another, and that they should live truely togither, and that they
should serve their Lord truely for their paye so that their Mr- may have woorship
and all y* long to him, and other moe chardges he gave them and this was the
first tyme that evr any Masson had any chardge of his Crafte.
ifaoreoliet tojcn glfiratam and Sara his wife went into Egypt and there taught
the vij Sciences unto the Egyptians and he had a woorthy scholler that height
Ewcled and he learned right well and was a M^- of all the vij Sciences.
And in his dales y* befell that the Lords and the Estats of the realme had so
many soonnes that they had gotten, some by their wyves and some by other ladies
of the Realme, for that land ys a hot land and plenteous of genaration.
And they had no competent lyvelyhood to find their children, wherefore they
made muche care. And then the Kyng of the land made a Create Counsell and
a Parliament, viz. howe might fynde their children honestly as gentlemen, and
they could find no mann good wages, and then did they throughe all the realme
that yf there weare any man that could enforme them that he should come unto
them, and he should be so rewarded for his travell that yt should holde him well
pleased. After that this cry was made then came this worthy Clarke Ewkled and
said to the King and to all his great I^ords, if ye will take me yor children to
govrn and to teach them one of the vij Sciences wherewith they maye lyve honestly
as gentlemen should, under a condition that you will grant me and them that I
maye have power to rule them after the mann that the Scyence ought to be ruled.
And that the Kynge and all his Consell granted anon, and seayled the comissiqn.
And then this woorthy tooke to him these Lordes Sonnes and taught them this
Science of Geometrey in practicke for to woorke in stones all mann of woorthy
woorke that longith to buylding Churches, Temples, Castles, Towers, and Mannors
and all other mann of buylding, and he gave them a charge on this mann.
^rifte first SS tliat tfiep SflOUltJ it true to the Kyng and to the Lords that
they serve, and that they should live well together, and be trewe evy one to other,
and that they should calle evy other his Fellowe or els his Brother and not his
servant nor his knave nor none other foule name.
And that thei should truly deserve their pay of the Lorde or the Mr. that they
serve, and they should ordeinge the wysest of them to be Mr- of the woorke, and
neither for love nor lynage nor riches nor favour, to sett another that has little
conning to be Mr. of the Lordes woorke wherby the lorde should be evile served
and they ashamed. And also that they should call ye Govner of the woorke Mr.
in the tyme that they woorke wh him. And other many mo Chardgs that are long
to tell.
And to all theise chardges he made them swear a great othe that men used in
that tyme, and ordeyned for them reasonable paye that they might lyve honestly
by. And also that they should come and a.ssemble togither evy yere once, howe
they might woorke best to serve their Lorde for his proffitt and to their own wor-
ship, and to correct w^^in themselves him that had trespassed against the Crafte.
And thus was the Crafte governed there. And that woorthy Clarke Ewkled
gave yt the name of Geometric, and nowe it is called through all this land
Massonrey.
Sythen long after when the children of Israele weare come into the land of
Behest, that is nowe called among us the Countrie of Jerusalem, King David be-
gan the Temple that is called Templi Dom, and is named with us the Temple of
Jerusalem.
And this same King David loved well Massons, and cherished much, and gave
them good paye, and he gave the chardges and the mannrs as he had learned in
Egipt given by Eukled, and other chardges moe that y*e shall heare afterward.
And after the deceass of the King David Sallomon that was King Davids
Soonne performed out the Temple that his Father had begun. And he sent for
Massons into dyvrs countries and dyvrs lands and gathered them togither, so that
he had four score thousand workmen that were workers of stone and weare all
named Massons, and he chose of them three thousand that weare ordeyned to
be Maisters and Govners of his woorke. And furthermore theare was a Kinge
of another reigne that men called Iram and he loved well King Sallomon and he
gave him tymber to his woorke. And he had a soone that height Aynone and
he was a Mr. of Geometrey and was chief maister of all his Massons and was Mr.
of all his Graving and Carving and all other mann of Massonreye that belongeth
to the Temple. And this is wytnessed in the Byble in the iiij of Kyngs and thirde
chapter.
And the Sallomon confirmed both Chardges and Mann that his Father had given
to Massons. And thus was that woorthy Crafte of Massonry confirmed in the
country of Jerusalem, and in many other Kingdoms.
Curious craftes men walked about full wyde in dyvrs countries, some to learne
more crafte and couninge, and some to teache them that had bvt little conning
and so y* befell that their was a curious Masson that height Naymus Grecus that
had bynat the making of Sallomon's Temple, and he came into France, and there
he taught the science of Massonrey to men of France. And there was one of
the Royall line of France that neight Charles Martell, and he was a man that loved
well suche a Crafte and drewe to this Naymus Grecus and learned of him the
Crafte and— upon him the Charges and the Mannrs. And afterwards by the
grace of God he was elect to be Kyng of France.
And when he was in his estate he tooke Massons and did healp to make men
Massons y* weare non, and sett them to woorke, and gave them bothe the Chardge
and mann and gave them good paye that he had learned of other Massons, and
confirmed them a chapter from yere to yere to hold their Assembly where they
woulde and Cherished them right muche and thus came the Craft into France.
eSnglanli in all this season stode voyde of any chardge of Massonrie untill St.
Albon's tyme, and in his dayes the Kyng of England that was a pagnyn he did
•wall thee towne aboute that is called St. Albons. And St. Albon was a woorthy
Knyght and Steward to the Kyngs household and had the goument of thee Realme
and also of thee towne walls, and loved Massons well *and cherished them muche
and he made their paye right good (standing as the Rfilme did) for gave them ijs
and vid a weeke and three pence to their cheire, for before that tyme through all
the Land a Mason toke but a peny a daye and his meat untill St. Albon amended y*
And he gave them a Charter of thee Kynge and his counsell for to houlde a
Genrall Counsell and gave y* the name of an Assemblye, and was there at him
selfe and healped for to make Massons, and gave the Chardges as yee shall heare
afterwards.
Right soon after the decease of Saynte Albon thre came dyvers menes into
England of dyers nations, so that the good rule of Massonry was destroyed untill
the tyme of Knigte Athelstone that was a woorthy King of England, and brought
all this Land into rest and peace, and buylded many greate workes of abeys and
Towers and many other buyldings. And he loved well Massons, and had a sonne
that height Edwin, and he loved Massons muche more than his Father did, and
he was a greate practyser of Geometry, and he drew him muche to talke and
comen wh massons to learne of them the Craft, and afterwards for love that he had
to Massons and to the Craft he was made a Masson. And he got of the Kyng his
father a Charter and a Comission to houlde evy yere Assembly once a yere where
they woulde w^^in thee Realme of England, and to correct within them faults and
trespasses that were done wl»in the Craft. And he held himselfe an Assembly at
Hotfe, and there he made Massons and gave them charges and taught them, and
commanded that rule to be kept for evr after, and gave them the Charter and the
Commission to keepe and made an ordynance that y* sliould be renewed from
Kyng to Kyng. and when the Assembly was gathered togither he made a crye
that all old Massons or young that had any wryting or understanding of the
Chardges and the Mannrs, that were made before in this Land or in any other yt
they should bring and shewe them. And when yt was proved, there was founde
some in Freanche, some in Greeke and some in English, and some in other
languages, and they were all to one intent. And he make a booke thereof howe
ye Craft was founde, and he himselfe bade and commanded that yt should be
redd or told when any Masson should be made, and for to give his Chardges.
And from that daye untill this tyme Mann of Masons have byn kept in that
forme as well as men might govern yt. Furtharmore at dyrs Assemblies certain
Chardges have byn made and ordeyned by the best advice of M^s and Fellowes.
Tunc unus ex senioribus tenent librum, et ille vel illi opponunt manut sub libri, et
tunc precepta deberent legi &. Every man that is a Masson take right good heed
to those Charges yf that any fynde himselfe gylty in any of these Chardges that
Old Masonic Charges. 45
he may amend himself agaynste Gode. And especially ye that are to be chardged
take good heede that yee keepe these Chardges right well for yt is great perill,
a man to forsware himselfe upon a booke.
The fyrste Chardge ys this. That ye shall be trewe men to God and holly
Churche, and that yee use nor error nor heresye by yr understanding or discretion,
but be ye discreet men or wyse men in cache thing. And also that ye should be
leidge men to the King of England, without treason or any other falsehood, and
that ye knowe no treason nor treechery but yt ye amend freelyie if you maye, or
else warne the Kyng or his Counsell thereof.
And also ye shall be true cache one to another, that is to saye to evy Mason of
the Craft of Massonry that be Massons allowed ye shall doe unto them as ye
would that they should do unto you. And also that you kepe all the Counsells
of yr Fellowes truely, be yt in Lodge or in Chamber, and all other councells that
ought to be keept by the waye of Masonhoode. And also that no Masson shall
be a thiefe in compayne so far forth as he maye witt or knowe, and that he shall
be true cache one to other, and to the Lord or Mr that he serve, and truely to
see to his profits and to his vantadge.
And also you shall call Massons y'' Fellowes or Brethren and none other foule
names. And also you shall not take yr Fellowes weif in vyllany nor desyre un-
godly his daughter, nor his servant put him to no diswoorship. And also that ye
pay trewly for his meate and drynke there wheare you ^oe to boorde, and also ye
shall doe no villany in that place where you goe to boorde, whereby the Crafte
might be slandered. These be the Chardges in generall that longth to evy Free-
mason to keepe both Mrs and Fellowes.
iSfflfarse, I will other Chardges singular for Mrs and Fellowes. First that no
M' or Fellowe take upon him any Lords woorke, nor any other mans woorke
unless he knowe himselfe able and sufficient of cunning to performe the same,
so that their Craft have no slander or disworshippe therby, but that the Lord maye
be well and truely served. And that no Mr take no worke, but yt he take yt
reasonable, so that the Lorde maye be well served wl» his owne good, and the
Mr to Ijfve honestly, and to paye his Fellowes trewly their paye as the mann. is.
And also that no M^ nor Fellow shall not supplant any other of their woorke, that
is to saye yf he have taken a worke in hand, or els stand Mr of the Lordes
worke. He shall not put him out, except he shall be unable of cuning to end the
work, ^ntl also that no Mr or Fellowe take no prentice but for thee terme of
vij yeres, and the apprentice be able of byrthe, that is to saye free born and of
lymes as a man ought to be. And also that no Mr nor Fellowes take no allow-
ance to be made Masson, without Counscell of his Fellowes, and that he take him
for no lesse tyme then vi or vij yeres, and that he which shall be made a Masson
be able in all mann degrees, that is to saye free born, come of good kyndred, true
and no bond man. And also that he have his right lymes a man ought to have.
Also that no man take any prentice unless he have sufficieht occupation for to
sett him on, or to sett iii of his Fellowes, or ii at the least on worke. And also
that no Mr nor Fellowe shall take no mans woorke to taske that was wont to. goe
on journey. Also that every Mr shall give paye to his Fellowes, but as they de-
serve, so that he be not deceived with false workmen,
3100 ttat noe ntaeon alantiec any other behynde his back to make him lose
his good name or his wordly goods. Also that no Fellow within the Lodge or
H
46 " Grand Lodge MS." (F)
without mysanswer another ungodly nor reproachfully without reasonable cause.
Also that evy shall Masson reverence his elder and put him to worship. And also
that no masson shall be comon player at hassard or at dyce, nor at non Other
unlawfull playes wherby the Craft might be slandered.
And also that no Masson shall use no leachery nor be no baude wherby the Craft
might be slandered. And also that no Fellowe goe into the towne a nighte
tymes without there is a Lodge of Fellowes, without he have a fellow with him
that he might beare him wytness that he was in honest place. Also that evy Mr
and Fellowe shall come to the Assembly, that if that it be within fyftie mylles about
him, yf he have any warning. And if he have trespassed against the Crafte then
he to abyde the award of the M™ and Fellowes. Also that evy Mr & Fellowe
that have trespassed against the Crafte shall stand then to the award of the
Mrs and Fellowee, to make them accord if they can, and if they may not accorde
then to goe to the comon lawe.
^iBO ti)at no iHt nor Fellowe make no mould nor square, nor rule to no layr,
nor sett no layar within the Lodge nor without it to hew no moulde stones. And
also that evy Mason receive and cherishe Fellowes when they come over the
countreyes, and to sett them a worke, if they will, as the mann. is, that is to say
if they have mould stones in his place, or els yee shall refreshe him with moony
unto the next lodging.
aiSO tt)at eberg JHaSOn shall tmely serve the Lodge for his paye, and evy M"^
truly to make ane end of his worke be yt taske or journey, if he have his com-
mands, and all that he ought to have.
"Cfiese ffifiarOfS tfiat toe fl^ilf now rehearsed unto y" all, and all others that
belong to Masons, ye shall keepe, so healpe you God, and your halydome, and
by this booke in yo^ hands unto y power. Amen. So be it.
Scriptum Anno domini 11320 Die Decembris 250
( Transcribed from the original by W.J, Hughan.)
Old Masonic Charges. 47
"SLOANE MS. No. 3848" (G)
(A.D. 1646.)
THE might of ye Father of Heaven, wth ye wisdome of ye glorious sonne ;
through ye goodness of ye holy gost ; y* bee three psons in one god, &c. bee
wtli us at or begininge ; and give us grace soe to govefne us in our liveinge ; y*
wee may come to his blisse yt never shall have endinge.
Good Brethren & Fellowes our purpose is to tell you, how & in what manner
this Craft of Masonrie was begun, and afterwards founded by worthy Kings and
Princes iV many other wortt men ; and also to ym that be heare ; wee will declare
to ym the charge y* doth belonge to every true Mason to keepe : For good sooth
if you take heede therunto it is well Worthie to bee well kept, for a worthie Craft
and curious science. For there bee seaven liberall sciences, of ye y^<^ it is one.
The first is Grammer ; yt teacheth a man to speake truth and write truly ; The
second is Rethoricke y* teacheth a man to speak faire & in subtill tearmes. The
third Loggick, yt teacheth to disearne truth from falcehood. The fourth is Arith-
meticke ; yt teacheth to account & recount all manner of numbers ; The fift is
called Geomeetree ; and it teacheth ye meate & measure of ye earthe ; and other
things, which science is Masonrie ; The sixt is Musicke ; woii teacheth songe &;
voyce of tongue ; of organs & harpe ; The seaventh is called Astronomic ; that
teacheth to know ye course of sonne & moone; and othet Ornaments of ye heavens;
These 7 liberall Sciences, ye which seaven bee all one Science ; That is to say
Geometry, Thus may a man proue, yt all Science in ye world bee found by Geom-
etry ; for it teacheth meate and measure ponderation & waight of all manner of
kind earth ; And there is noe man yt worketh by any Craft but hee worketh by
some measure j and noe man yt byes and sells, but by measure & weight, and all
Geometriarians & Crafttsmen and Merchants find noe other of ye Seaven Sciences ;
and especially Plowmen and tillars of all manner of graine ; both of cornes seeds
vines plaints ; sellers of all other fruites ; For Gramer neither Astronomic ; nor
any of all these can finde a man one measure or meate ; wt^out Geometry where-
fore I thinke that science most worthy that findeth all others ; How this worthy
science was first begun I shall tell you ; before Noes flood was a man called Lameth
as it is written in ye 4 Chapf of Gene, and this Lameth had two wives, ye one
was called Adar, ye other Sella ; and by the first wife Adar hee begott 2 sonnes.
The one was called Jabell ye other Juball ; And by ye other wife hee had a sonne
& a daughter ; and these foure children found ye beginninge of all Craft in ye
world ; This Jabell was ye elder soone ; and hee found ye Craft of Geometry ;
and he deptcd flockes of Sheep & lambes in ye field, And hee first wrought house
of stone & tree, and it is notes in ye Chapt aforesaide yt his brother Juball found
musicke of Songe harpe & Orgaines ; The 3 Brother Tuball found out Smiths
Crafts of Iron & Steele ; and there sister found weavinge ; and these children did
knowe that god would take vengencc for sinne eather by fire or water ; wherefore
they writ ye Sciences wet wearc found in 2 pillcrs of stone ; yt ye might bee found
after ye flood ; The one stone was called marble that cannot burne wth fire ; The
48 " Sloane MS, No. 3848." (G)
other was called Letera that cannot drowne w* water ; Our intent is to tell you
truly how & in what manner these stones weare found ; where these Crafts weare
written in Greeke ; Hermines that was sonne to Cus ; & Cus was sonne to Shem,
well was ye sonne of Naoth ; The same Hermenes was afterwards Hermes ; the
Father of wise men and hee found out ye 2 pillers of stone where ye Sciences
weare written & taught ym forth ; And at ye raakeinge of ye Towre of Babilon
there Was the craft of Masonrie first found & made much of, yo Kinge of Babilon
yidk was called Hembroth or Membroth hee was a mason and loued well ye craft ;
as it is saide with ye maistr of ye Stories ; And when ye Citie of Ninivie & other
cities of East Azia should bee made. The Kinge of Babilon sent thither sixe
at ye desire of the King of Ninive his cozen ; and they went forth, and hee gaue
hm a Charge on this maner, That ye should bee true & Hue truly together ; and
that ye should serue there lord truly for their payment ; for that he might have
worpp for sendinge y™ & other Charges hee gaue them ; and this was ye first time
yt any Mason had any Charge of his Craft; Moreov when Abraham & Sara his wife
went into Egypt there weare taught the seaven sciences unto Egyptians ; And hee
had a worthy SchoUer called Euchild and hee Learned right well and was Maisf
of all the 7 Sciences ; And it befell in his dales that ye Lords and States of ye
Realme ; had soe many soones yt ye had begotten ; some by there wives ; & some
by Ladies of the Realme ; For y' Land is a holy Land and plenished generacon ;
And ye had noe competent Liveige for there children ; wherefore ye made much
sorrowe : And ye King of ye Land made greate counsell, & a pliaint to knowe
how ye might finde there Children meanes, & they could finde noe good wages ;
And caused a cry to bee made throughout ye Realme ; y* if there weare any
man that could informe him ; yt hee should come to Him and bee well rewarded ;
and hold himselfe well apaide ; and after this cry was made came this worthy
Clarke Euchild and said to ye Kinge and all his great Lords if you will have
yor children govrned and taught honestly as gentlemen should bee ; under
condicon that you will grant ym and mee a commission ; yt I may haue power
to rule them honestly as theise Sciences ought to be ruled; and ye Kinge
wtt his councell granted them ; & sealed yt commission ; And then yt worthy
Docter tooke the Lordes sonnes and taught ym this Science of Geometry in practice
to worke masonrie all manner of worthy workes ; yt belongeth to buildinge
of castles all manner ccts temples and churches ; wtl» all other buildings ;
and hee gaue y" charge in this manner ; First that ye should bee true to ye
Kinge and to yo Lords ye served ; & that they should love well together ; and
be true one to another ; & that they should call one another fellowes ; and not
servants no knave nor other foul names ; and that ye should truly serue there
paymt to ye lord that others serve ; and that ye should ordaine ye wisest of them
to bee made Mr. of ye Lords worke ; and neither for love great lineinge nor riches ;
to sett another that hath little cunninge to bee Mr. of ye lords worke wherebye
hee should bee evilly served or they ashamed ; and that ye should call the govrnor
of ye worke Mr. of ye worke whilst ye worke wth him ; & many other charges
which weare too long to tell ; and to all these charges hee made y™ sweare the
great oath men used in yt time ; and ordained for them reasonable payment ;
yt ye might live by it honestly : & alsoe that ye should come & assemble wth
others that ye might have councell in these crafts ; yea might worke best to serve
there lord ; for his pfitt and worspp and to correcte themselves if ye had trespased ;
and thus ye craft of Geometree was gou^ned there ; and yt worthy Mr. gave it ye
name of Geometry and it is called masonrie in this Land long after the Children
of Israeli were come into the land of ... . It is now amongst us in ye country
Old Masonic Charges, 49
of Jerasalem Kinge David begaun the temple of Jerusalem that is wtt them
templum Dei ; And ye said King David loved masons well ; and cherished them ;
and gave y™ good payment. And hee gave ym charges that ye shall heare after-
wards ; and after ye decease of King David ; Solomon yt was sonne to King
David pformed out ye Temple his Father had begun : and hee sent afterwards
masons of divers Lands ; and gathered y™ together ; soe y* hee had fourscore
thousand workers of stone ; and they weare named masons ; and he had 3
thousand of them ; w* which weare ordained M?^- and Gov'no™ of y* worke, and
there was a King of another Region yt men called Hyram and he loved well
Kinge Solomon ; and gave him timber for his worke ; and hee had a son that
was named Aynon & hee was Mr. of Geometry ; and he was chiefe Mr. of all his
masons ; and Mr. of all his graued workes ; and of all other masons that be-
longeth to ye Temple ; & this witnesseth the Bible in libro 2. Solo, capite 5. And
this Sonne Solomon confermed both charges & manners ; yt his father had given
to masons ; and thus was ye worthy craft of masons confermed in ye country of
Jerusalem ; and in many other Kingdomes Glorious Craftsmen walkeing abroade
into divers Countres ; some because of learning more craft ; and other some to
teach there craft ; and so it befell that a curious workman ; who was named
Nimus Greacus & had beene at ye makeinge of Solomons Temple ; and came
into P'rance ; and there taught ye craft of masonrie ; to ye men of France that
was named Charles Martill ; hee loved well this craft and drew to him this Ninias
Greacus ; and learned of him ye craft ; and tooke upon him ye charges and
rnannra. and afterwardes by ye grace of god hee was elected Kinge of France ;
and when hee was in his Estate hee tooke many masons ; and made masons there
yt weare none ; and sett y™ in worke and gave ym both charges and mannrs. &
good payment ; wet he had learned of other masons ; and conferred ym a charter
from yeare to yeare to hold there assembly, and thus came ye craft into France ;
all this while England was voyde, both of any charge or masonrie ; vntill ye time
of St- Albons ; and in his time ye King of England that was a Pagan ; and hee
walled ye Towne wot is now called S*. Albons ; and soe in Albon's time a worthie
Knight ; and chiefe Stewarde to ye King and had gou'm* of ye Realme ; and alsoe
of makinge ye Towne Walles ; and hee loved masons well ; & cherished them ;
& made there paym* right good standinge wages, as ye Realme did require. For
he gave y™ every weeke iijs. vjd. to there double wages ; before y* time through
all ye Lan^ a masoun tooke but id. a day, and next to yt time yt St. Albons mended
it ; hee gott ym a charter from ye King and his councell ; and gave ym charges as
you shall heare hereafter. After ye decease of St. Albons there came greivous wars
into England ; through nations ; soe yt ye good rule of -masonrie was destroyed ;
untill ye time of King Athelstone ; yt was a worthy King in England and hee
brought ye Land into good rest & peace againe ; and hee builded many great
workes & Castles and Abbies ; and many other Buildings ; and hee loued masons
very well ; & hee had a Sonne y* was named Ladrian ; and hee loued masons much
more then his Father. For hee was full of practice in Geometry ; wherefore hee
drew himselfe to commune wtt masons ; and to Learne of ym ye craft ; and after-
wards for ye Love hee had to masons ; and to ye craft y* hee was made mason
himselfe.
And hee gott of his Father ye King a Charter, and a commission to hold every
year an Assembly where they would w^Mn ye Realme ; and to correcte wtt ym.
selves statutes and trespasses ; if it weare done w'hin ye crafte ; and hee held
himself assembly at goife and there hee made Masons, and gave y™ Charges and
50 " Sloane MS. No. 3848." {G)
taught them the mannrs of Masons ; and Commanded that rule to bee holden evr
after : And to them took ye charter & Commission to keepe ; and ordained yt it
should be ruled from King to King : when this assembly was gathered together ;
hee caused a cry to be made ; y* all Masons both yong & old y* had any writinge
or understandinge of ye charges that weare made before in this land, or in any
other Land ; y* ye should shew yii forth and there w^s some in French, some in
Greeke, & some in English ; and some in other Languages ; and ye intent there-
of was found ; & thereof hee commanded a booke to be made how ye crafte was
first found & made, & commanded that yt should bee read and told when any
Masons should bee made ; and to give hira his charge ; and from that time untill
his time Masonrie untill this day hath beene kept in yt.forme <Sz: ord"" as well as men
might gourne ye same ; and urthermore at dyurs assembles hath beene put to and
aded certaine Charges ; more by ye best advices; of Mast^s and Fellowes.
Heare foUoweth the worthie and godly oath of Masons. Every man that is a
Masonn take Heede right well ; to this charge ; if you fmde yorselfe guilty of any
of these ; yt you amend you ; againe especially you yt are to bee charged take
good heed that you may keepe this charge ; for it is a great perrill for a man to
forseweare himselfe on a book.
1. The first charge is that you shall bee true man to god ; and ye holy Church ;
and that you vse noe heresie nor errour by yor vnderstandinge or by teaching of a
discreet man.
2. Alsoe you shall be true Leighman to the King wttout treason or falshood,
and that you shall knowe noe treason, but that you amend it if you may ; or else
warne the King or ye Counsell thereof.
3. Alsoe you shall bee true one to another that is to say to every Mr & fellowe
of ye trust of Masonrie ; y* bee Masons allowed ; & that you doe to them as you
would ye should doe to you.
4. Alsoe that no Mason bee thiefe in companie soe far forth as you shall knowe.
5. Alsoe every Mason shall keepe true Counsell of Lodge and Chamber ; and
all other Counsell that ought to bee kept by ye way of Masonrie.
6. Alsoe that you shall bee true vnto ye Lorde & Mr that you serue ; and truly
to see for his pfitt & advantage.
7. Alsoe yt you doe noe vilanie in that house whereby the Craft shall bee
slandered.
These bee Charges in generall wol» every Mason should hould both Maisfs and
fellowes.
Nowe I will rehearse other Charges in singular for Mrs and fellowes.
1. First that noe Maister shall take upon him any Lords worke or other worke,
but that hee knowe himselfe able & cunninge to pforme the same, soe yt the Craft
haue noe disworpp but that ye Lord may bee serued & that truly.
2. Alsoe that noe Maister take any worke but he take it reasonable, soe y* ye
Lord may bee truly serued wtli his owne good ; & ye Mr to liue honestly ; and to
pay his fellowes truly there pay as the manner of ye Craft doth require.
3. Alsoe that noe Maister nor fellowe shall supplant others of there worke ;
(that is to say) if ye haue taken a worke, or stand Mr of a Lords worke you shall
not put him out of it ; if hee bee able of Cunning to pforme ye same.
Old Masonic Charges, 5 1
4. Alsoe that noe M' nor fellowe take any apprentize ; to bee alowed his
apprentize ; but for seaven yeares ; and y* ye apprentize bee alsoe of his birth and
limbs as hee ought to bee.
S- Alsoe that noe Mr nor fellowe take alowance te bee made Mason w^hout
ye asent of his fellowes y* at the least five or sixe ; and that hee that shall bee
made Mason ; to bee able our all syers ; (y* is to say) that hee be free borne, and
of good Kinred and noe bondman ; and y* hee haue his right Limes as a man
ought to haue.
6. Alsoe That noe Mr put a Lordsraan to taske yt is vsed to goe to Joyrney.
7. Also every Mason shall giue noe pay to his fellowes but as hee shall diserne ;
soe that hee bee not deceived by falce workemen.
8. Also That noe fellowe slander other falsly behifid his backe ; to make him
loose his good name or worldy goods.
9. Alsoe yt noe fellowe wt^in the Lodge or w*hout answer another vngodlily
wt^oiit reasonable cause.
10. Also ev'ry Mason shall pferr his elder and put him to worshipp.
11. Also that noe Mason shall play at Hazards or any other unlawful game j
whereby they may bee slandered.
12. Alsoe that noe Mason shall bee a common Rybold in lecherie ; to make
ye Craft slandered ; and that noe fellowe goe into ye Towne where is a Lodge of
fellowes ; wtliout a fellowe wtl» him ; that may beare him witnes ; that hee was in
honest Companie :
13. Alsoe yt every M' and fellowe come to ye assembly if it bee wttin fiftie
myles ; about him ; if hee have any warninge j and to stand at ye reward of M^s
and fellowes.
14. Alsoe that eu'rye Maister and fellowe if he have trespassed, shall stand
at ye reward of M^ & fellowes to make them acord if ye may, (but if ye may
not to goe to ye Common Lawe.
15. Alsoe That noe Mason make moulds square or rule to any rough Lyers.
16. Alsoe That noe Mason sett noe layes wtliin a Lodge or wtiout to have
mould stone wtt noe mould of his owne workinge.
1 7. Alsoe when ye come ou"^ ye country to sett them on worke as ye manner
is (yt is to say) if they have mould stones in place ; he shall sett him a
fortnight in worke •. & giue him his hire ; and if there bee noe stones for him ;
Then refresh him w"i some money ; to bring him to ye next Lodge.
18. Alsoe you shall & evruye Mason shall serue truly ye workes; and
truly make an end of yor workes, bee it taske or Joyrney ; if you may haue yo^
pay as you ought to haue ; These Charges that we have rehearsed & all other
yt belongeth to Masonrie you shall keepe ; to ye vttermost of yo^ knowledge ;
Soe helpe you god & by the Contents of this booke.
Finis p me Eduardu Sankey
decimo sexto die Octobris Anno Domini 1646.
(An exact Transcript from the British Museum.)
52 " Harleian MS. No.ig^i."' (M)
"HARLEIAN MS. No. 1942." (M)
(About A. D. 1670.)
CJefUmtgittp fatficc of fieabenwith the wisdome of the glorious Sonne, through
the goodnes of the holy ghost, three persons in one godhead bee with our be-
ginning, & give us grace soe to governe our Lives, that we may come to his
blisse that never shall have end. Amen.
©ooti iSm^ten anlr dFellotog.
Our purpose is to tell you how, and in what manner this craft of masonry was
first began, & afterwards how it was found by worthy kings and Princes, & many
Other wayes hurtfull to none, & to them that bee here present, we will declare
what doeth belong to every free mason to keepe ; for in good faith, if you take
heed thereunto. It is worthy to bee kept, being one of the seven liberall Sciences
which are these that followes.,
1st. Gramar, that teacheth a man to speak truly, and write truely.
gndly. Rhetorick that teacheth a man to speake faire, and in subtill termes.
^rdly. Logick that teacheth a man to discerne truth from falsehood.
4tUy. Arithmatick that teacheth to accompt and reckon all manner of numbers.
jthly. Geometry that teacheth met and mesure of anything, & from thence
comes Masonry.
6tMy. Musick that teacheth song voice.
ytUy. Astronomy that teacheth to know ye course of the sunne, & moone, &
other omamts of heaven.
Note I pray you that these are found under Geometry, for it teacheth mett and
measure ponderacon and weight of every thing in and upon the face of the whole
earth. For you know every Craftsman works by measure, hee or shee that buyeth
or selleth it is by weight or measure, husbandmen, navigators, and painters and all
of them use geometry, for neither gramar, rhetorick, logick or any other of the
said sciencies can subsist without geometry. Ergo, most worthy, laudable and
honorable.
If you aske me how this science was first invented ; my answer is this : That
before y^ generall deluge, which is commonly called Noahs flood, there was a
man called Limeck, as you may read in the a!^ of Genesis, whoe had twoe wives
the one called Adah, the other Zillah, by Adah hee begot twoe sones Isabell and
Juball, by Zillah hee had a Sonne called Tuball and a daughter called Naal)mah,
these fower children found ye begining of all the Craft in the world ; Jabell found
out Geometry, and he divided flocks of sheepe & lands ; he first built a house of
stone and timber : Juball found out Musick : Tuball found out the Smythes trade
or Craft alsoe of gold, silver, copper. Iron & Steele ; Naahmah found out the craft
of weaving ; and these children knew well that god would take vengeance for
sinne, either by fire or water, wherefore they did write these sciencies that they
found in twoe pillars of stone, that they might be found after, that god had taken
Old Masonic Charges. 53
vengeance ; the one was of marble, & would not burne, the other was Latres and
would not drowne in water, soe that the one would le preserved and not con-
sumed, if god would that any people should live upon the earth. It resteth now
to tell you where these stones were found, wherein the sayd sciencies were written :
After the said deluge. It pleased god that the greate Hermaxmes, whose sonne
Lucium was, whoe was the sonne of Sem, whoe was the sonne of Noah, the sayd
Hermaxmes was afterwards called Hermes the Father of wise men ; hee found
one of the twoe pillars of stone, hee found these scinces written therein, hee
taught them to other men ; At the tower of Babell Masonry was much made on,
for the King of Babylon, whoe was Memorth was A mason, and loved tlie science
«& when the Citty of Ninneveh, and other Cittyes of the East should bee builded
Nemorth sent thither threescore Masons, at the desire of the King ot Ninneveh,
And when they went forth, hee gave them charge after this manner.
That they should bee true one to another that hee niight have worship by them
in sending them to his Cozen the King : hee alsoe gave them charge, concerning
theire science ; and then was it, that any Mason had charge of his science ; Alsoe
Abraham and Sarah went into Egypt, & taught the Egiptians the seven liberall
sciences, & hee had an Ingenious schollar called Euclides, whoe presantly learn'd
the said liberall Sciences : It happened in his dayes the Lords and States of the
Realme had soe many sones unlawfully begotten by other mens wives and Ladyes,
that the land was burthened with them, haveing small meanes to mainteine them
with all, the King understanding thereof caused a parliam* to bee called and sum-
moned for redress, but being numberless, that noe good could bee done wtJi them,
hee caused proclamacon to bee made throughout the Realme ; that if any man
could devise any course how to mainteine them, to informe the King, & hee
should bee well rewarded ; whereupon Euclides came to the King, and said thus ;
my noble' Sovereign, if I may have order and govemmt of these L^s sonnes, I
will teach them the seven Liberall Sciences, whereby they may live honestly like
gentlemen ; provided that you will graunt mee power over them by virtue of youre
Commission, which was easily effected ; And the Master Euclides gave them these
following admonicons.
ist. to bee true to the King.
2i3Iy- to the master they serve.
grdly. to bee true one to another.
^thly. not to miscall one another, as knave or such like.
gthly. to do theire worke duely, that they may deserve theire wages at theire
masters hands.
6thly. to ordeine the wisest of them master, & theire Lord and Master of his
work.
ytMy. to have such reasonable wages, that the workmen may live honestly with
creditt.
gthly. to come and assemble once a year to take Counsell in theire Craft how
they may worke best to serve theire Lord and Master for his proffit and theire owne
credit and to correct such as have offended j
Note that Masonry was heretofore termed Geometry, & since then the people
of Israeli came to the land of Behest, which is now called Emens, in the Country
of Jerusalem, King David began a Temple, which is now called the Temple of
the Lord, or the Temple of Jerusalem, and King David loved Masons well, and
I
54 " Harleian MS. No. 1^42." (M)
cherished them and gave them good paym* and did give them a charge as Euclides
have given them before in Egipt, and further as hereafter followes.
And after the death of King David Solomon his sonne finished the Temple,
which his Father began hee sent for Masons of divers Lands, to the number of
fewer and twenty thousand, elected and nominated Masters and Governos of the
work, & there was another King of another Religion or Country called Haram,
whoe loved well King Solomon, & hee gave him timber for his work, and hee had
a Sonne Anon & hee was master of Geometry, & hee was cheife Master of all his
Masons, of Carved work, and all other theire work of Masonry, that belongeth to
the Temple, as appeareth by the Bible, in libro Regum Cap: 4*0 & King Solomon
confirmed all things concerning Masons, that David his father had given in charge,
& these Masons, did travell divers Countrys some to augment theire knowledge in
the said Art, & to instruct others ; And it happened that a curions Mason called
Memon Grecus, that had beene at the building Solpmons Temple, came into
Fraunce, & taught the Science of Masonry to the French men, & there was a King
of Fraunce named Carolus Morter, whoe loved greatly Masonry, which sent for
this said Memon Grecus, & learned of him the sayd Science, & became of the
Fraternity, therefore hee began great works, & liberally did pay his workmen, &
confirmed them a large charter, and was yearely present at theire assembly, which
was a greate honour, and encouragemt to them, & thus came the Science into
Fraunce ; Masonry was unknown in England untill St. Alban came thither, whoe
instructed the King in the said Science of Masonry, As alsoe in Divinity, whoe
was a Pagan ; hee walled the towne called St. Albanes, hee became in favour with
the King, insomuch that he was knighted and made the Kings cheife Stewards, &
the relarae was governd by him under the King, & hee greatly cherished, and loved
Masonry, and truely paid them theire wages weekly, which was 3s- 6^- p weeke,
he purchased them a large Charter from the King, to hold a genera^ assembly
and Counsell yearly ; hee made many Masons, & gave them such a Charge, as is
hereafter declared, It happened presently after the martirdome of St. Alban, whoe
is truely termed England's proto Martyr, that a certaine King invaded the land,
& destroyed most part of the natives with fire & sword that the science of Masonry
was much decayed untill the Reigne of King Athelstone, which some writ Adle-
stone, whoe brought the land to peace and rest from the insulting Danes ; hee
began to build manyabbyes, monasteryes, & other religious houses, as alsoe Castles,
& other tresses for defence of his Realme ; hee loved Masons more then his
Father ; hee greatly studdyed Geometry & sent into many lands, for men expert
in the Science ; hee gave them a very large charter, to hold a yearely Assembly
to correct offenders in the sayd Science, &t the King himselfe caused a generall
assembly of all Masons in the Realme at gorfe & there made many Masons, &
gave them a deepe charge for obscrvacon of such Articles as belonge to Masonry,
and delivered them the said Charter to keepe, & when his Assembly was gathered
together, hee caused a cry to bee made, that if any Mason of them, had a writing
that did concerne Masonry, or could Informe the King, in anything, or matter,
that was wanting in the said Science, already delivered, that they, or hee, should
deliver them to the King, or write them to him. And there were some in French,
some in Greek, some in English, and other Languages whereupon the King caused
a book to bee made, which declared how the Science was first invented & the
utility thereof, which book he commded to bee read, and plainely declared, when
a man was to bee made Mason, that he might fully understand what Articles,
Rules, and Orders he was obliged to observe, & from that time untill this day.
Old Masonic Charges. 55
Masonry hath been much respected and preserved, & divers new Articles hath been
added to the sayd charge, by good advice and consent of the best Masons and
Fellowes.
Tunc Unas ex senioribus teneat Ubrum illi qui jusjurandu reddat et ponat manum
libro vel sup librum, dum Articulum et precepta sibi legantur.
Say thus, by the way of exhortacon, my loveing and respective friends, and
brethren, I humbly beseech you, as you love your souls eternal wellfare, yor owne
credit, & youre countryes good, bee very carefull in pbservacon of these articles
that I am about to read to this Depon* for you are oblieged to pforme them as
well as hee, soe hopeing of yr care herein I will (by god's grace) begin the charge,
I am to admonish you to hono'" god, & and his holy church ; that you use noe
heresie or error in your understanding or discredit men teaching.
2dly- I am to admonish you, to bee true to our Sovereigne Lorde the King,
committing noe treason, misprision of treason, or felony, & if any one shall com-
mit treason, yt you know of, you shall give notice to his Matie his privy Coun-
sellors or some other that have commission to enquire thereof
3dly. You shal bee true to youre fellows and brethren of the Science of
Masonry, & doe to them as you would bee done unto.
4tUy- If you shall secure and keepe secret the obscure and intricate parts of
the Science, not disclosing them to any but such as study & use the same.
jthly. You shall doe youre work truely, & faithfully endeavouring the profitt
and advantage of him, that is owner of the sayd work.
ethly. You shall call Masons, fellow or brethren, without addicon of knave, or
any other bad Language.
ythly. You shall not take your neighbours wife villaniously, nor his da nor his
mayd to use ungodlily.
gthly. You shall not carnally lye with any woman, belonging to the house
wherein you are at table.
gtMy. You shall truely pay for youre meate & drink where you are at table.
lotUy. You shall not undertake any mans work knowing yourselfe unable and
unexpert to pforme and effect the same.
That noe aspercon or discredit be imputed to the science or the L^ or owner
of ye same work be any wayes prejudiced.
iitUy. You shall not take any worke to doe at any excessive & unreasonable
rates, or deceive the owner thereof, but soe as he may be truely, and faithfully
served with his owne goods,
latUy. You shall not supplant any of youre fellowsof theire work (That is to
say) If he, or they, or any of them, have taken any work upon him, or them, or
they stands Masters of Lords or owners work, that you shall not put him or them
out of or from the said work, although you pceive him or they unable to finish the
Sd work.
i4thly. You shall not take any apprentice to serve you in the sayd Science of
Masonry under the terme of seven yeares, nor any but such as are descended of
of good parentage, that noe scandall may bee imputed to the Science of Masonry.
56 " Harleian MS. No. 1942." (M)
1 5tUy. You shall not take upon you to make any one mason without the
privity and consent ot five or six of your fellows, & none but such as one that is
free borne, & whose parents live in good fame, & name 4" that hath his right and
pfect limbes, and psonall of body to attend the said Science.
igthly. You shall not pay any of youre fellowes more money, than hee, or
they have deserved, that you be not deceived by false or by slight working, and
and the owner thereof much wronged.
I ytMy. You shall not slander any of youre fellows behinde theire back to im-
paire temporall estate or good name.
1 Stilly. You shall not without urgent cause answer yor fellow doggedly or
ungodlily, but as becometh a loveing brother of the same Science.
igthly. You shall duely reverence, youre fellow, that the bond of Charity and
mutuall Love may continue steadfast and stable amongst you,
2otUy. You shall not (except in Christmas time) use any unlawfull games, as
Cards, Dice, &c.
2istly. You shall not frequent any house of Bawdry or bee a pawnder to any
of youre fellowes, or others, which wilbee a greate scandall to the Science ; You
shall not goe out to drink by night, or if occasion doe happen that you must goe,
you shall not stay till past eight of the clock, haveing some of youre fellowes, or
one at the least, to have you witness of the honest place you were in, and your
good behaviour to avoid scandall.
22ii<ily: You shall come to the yearely assembly, if you know where it is, being
within tenne miles of the place of youre abode ; submitting yourselte to youre
fellows, wherein you have erred, to make satisfaction, or to defend by order of the
kings laws.
23rdly. You shall not make any mould square or rule to mould stones wtl^all
but as such is allowed by the fraternity.
24tUy. You shall set strangers at work, having Imployrct for them, at
least a fortnight & truely pay them theire wages ; and if you want work for them,
you shall relieve them with money to defray theire reasonable charges to the next
Lodge.
2 5tUy. You shall truely attend youre work, & truely end the same, whether it
bee taske or Journey worke, if you have youre wages and paymt truely.
These Articles and Charge which I have rehersed to you, you shall well and
truely, observe & keepe to your power, soe helpe your god, and the contents of
this booke.
C{)e iaeto articles.
26 : Noe person (of what degree soever) bee accepted a free Mason, unless
hee shall have a lodge of five free Masons ; at least, whereof one to bee a master,
or warden, of that limitt, or devision, wherein such Lodge shalbee kept, &
another of the trade of Free Masonry.
27 ; That noe /son shal bee accepted a Free Mason, but such as are of able
body, honest parentage, good reputacon & observers of the Laws of the Land.
28 : That noe /son hereafter bee accepted free Mason nor shalbee admitted
into any Lodge or assembly untill hee hath brought a Certificate of the time of
accepcon from the Lodge, yt accepted him, unto the Master of that Limit, &
I'. '
Old Masonic Charges. 57
Division, where such Lodge was kept, which sayd Master shall enrole the same
in parchmt in a role to bee kept for that purpose, to give an acct of all such ac-
ceptions at every generall Assembly.
29 : That every person whoe now is Free Mason, shall bring to the Master a
note of the time of his acception to the end the same may bee enrolld in such
priority of place of the /son shall deserve, & to ye end the whole company and
fellows may the better know each other.
30 : That for the future the sayd Society, Company, & fraternity of Free Masons
shalbee regulated, & governed by one master, & Assembly, & Wardens, as ye said
Company shall think fit to chose, at every yearely generall Assembly.
31 ; That noe /son shalbee accepted a Free Mason or know the secrets of the
said Society, untill hee hath first taken the oath of secrecy hereafter following.
I, A. B., Doe in the presence of Almighty God, & my Fellowes, & Brethren,
here present, promise and declare, that I will not at any time hereafter, by any
Act or circumstance whatsoever, Directly or Indirectly, publish, discover, reveale,
or make knowne any of the secrets, priviledges, or Counsells, of the Fraternity or
fellowship of Free Masonry, which at this time, or any time hereafter, shalbee
made knowne unto mee, soe helpe mee God, & the holy contents of this booke.
1. You shall truely honour God, & his holy Church, The King, youre Master,
& Dame, you shall not absent yourselfe but with the License of both or one of
them, from theire service, by day or night.
2. You shall not purloyne or steale, or bee privy or accessory to the purloy-
ning or stealeing to the value of sixpence, from them, or any of them.
3. You shall not comit adultery or fornicacon in ye house of youre Master,
with his wife, daughter or mayd.
4. You shall not disclose youre Master or Dame theire Counsell or secrets,
which they have imputed to you, or what is to be concealed, spoken or done,
within the precints of theire house, by them, or either of them, or any Free Mason.
6. You shall reverently behave yourselfe to all free Masons, not using Cards,
or Dice, or any other unlawful! Games, (Christmas excepted.)
7. You shall not haunt or frequent any Taverns, Alehouses, or such as goe
into any of them except upon your Masters, or Dame, theire or any of theire affaires,
or without theire or any of their consent.
8. You shall not comit Adultery or Fornicacon in any Mans house, where
you shall bee at table or at work.
g. You shall not marry or contract yourselfe to any woeman during youre
Apprenticeshipp.
10. You shall not steale any mans goods, but especially yor sayd Masters,
or any of his Fellow Masons, or suffer any one to steale of theire goods, but
shall hinder the Fellow if you can, if you cannot, then you shall acquaint your
sayd Master & his fellows presantly. Finis.
( Transcribed from the original in the British Museum.)
58 " Lodge of Hope MS." (N)
"LODGE OF HOPE MS." (N)
(About A.D. 1680.)
THE Constitutions Articles which are to be observed and fulfilled by al those
who are made free by the Rt Worl, My^- Fellowes and Brethren of Free
Masons at any Lodge or Assemblie.
Cf)e migflt of tfif fatfl^r of iieaben and the wisdom of his gracious Son
through the goodness of the holy ghost, viz. three persons and one god be with us
at the beginning and give us grace soe to govern our lives ; that we may come to
Eternal Joy. Amen.
<!S00"b ISTEtfiren anll fellotoeS our purpose is to relate unto you how, and in
what manner the Craft of Masonry was at the first begun and afterwards how it
was found out by mighty Kings and whereby Princes a?nd many oth'er worshipful
men and also to them that be heare will declare the charge that belongs to every
true Mason to keep ; for in good faith if you take heed thereunto, it is well
worthy to be kept for a worthy craft, and a curious science for their be Seaven
liberall Sciences of the which it is one of these following
The first is Cramer that teacheth a man to speake, the Second is Logicke y*
teacheth to decerne the truth from falshood. The Third is Rhetorick that teacheth
to speake and in Subtilly tearms : The fourth is Music that teacheth the art of
Song and the Voice of Organs and Harps ; The fifth is Aretmaticke that teacheth
to account and reckon all maners of Numbers. The Sixth is Geometry that teacheth
to measure ye Earth and other things of which Scienceas Masonry, The Seaventh
and last is called Astrology or Astronomy that teacheth to know the course of
the Sun and Moon & other Ornaments of the Heavens.
The Seaven liberal Sciences which be all by one Science viz : Geometry it
teacheth Mett and Measure ponderation and weight of all manner of things in the
Earth and there is noe man worketh by any Craft but he worketh by some Meas-
ure, and all is Geometry Craftsmen and Merchants depend upon this Science &
Especially plowmen and tillers of ground both for Come and Seed and Vines and
plants flowers & other fruite of the Earth, for neither Gramer nor Astronomy nor
any of the rest doe find a man one Measure without Geomtry, Wherefore that
Science is most worthy that findeth all other ; how that this Science was first begun
I shall tell you
Before Nohas flood was a man called Lamech had two wives the name of the
one was Adah and the other Sella as it is written in Genises 4*'' Chapter ; by the
first wife Adah, he begott four Sonnes the one was called Jaball, and the other
Juball, and by the other wife he had a Sonn called Tu,ball Cain and a daughter
called Naamah and these children found the beginning of all Crafts and Sciencs
in the world, thus Jabell was the elder and found out Geometry, and parted flocks
of Sheep and Lambs in the field, and first wrought house of Stone & tree as it is
written in the chapter aforesaid v. 21. and his brother Juball found out Musicke
of Song Harps and Organs, and the third brother found out the Smith Craft as
Old Masonic Charges. 59
of Iron or Steel and there Sister found out the Craft of weaving, these children
did know that God would take Vengeance for Sin, either by fire or water where-
fore they wrote the Sciences, which they had invented in two pillers of Stone, that
they might be found after the flood, the one stone is called Marble which cannot
burne with fire, and the other Stone is called Laternus that will not drowne in water.
The great Hermerinus that was Sonne unto Guz and Guz was Sonn unto Ham
which was son unto Noah, the Second Sonne Hermerinus was after called Hermes
the father of Wisdome, and he found out the two pillars of Stone, and the
Sciences written therein he taught, and at the buildinge of the Tower of Babilon
was called Nembroth. Nemrod was a Mason and loved well the Craft, and it is
said by the Masters of the Stone y* when the City of Nineve and other Cityes
should be builded Nembroth the King of Babilon sent their Sixty Masons, att
the desire of the King of Nineve his Couzen and when they went forth he gave
them a charge on this manner viz — That they should be true, and to love one
another ; and that they should serve truely the lord for his payment that he might
have worship by sending of them unto him, and other things he gave them in
Charge and this was the first time that the Masons had any charge of their Craft,
Moreover when Abraham and Sarah his Wife went into Egypt, and there they
taught the Seaven Sciences to the Egyptians. They had a worthy Scholer called
Euclides and served right well; and was Master. of all the Seaven Sciences, and
it befell in his dayes that the Lords and States in the Land had soe many Sonnes
that they had begotten some by their wives and some by other Ladies of the
realme (for that land was holden a plenished generation) and noe living compe-
tent for there said children wherefore they were sore troubled in minde, in what
sort to puide for them : And the King of that land m'ade a great Counsell and a
parliament to know how they may find there children, and he could noe way
that was good ; bnt caused a proclamation to be made through the realme if their
were any man could inform e them that he should come to him, and he should be
rewarded for his travell ; and hold himselfe well pleased, after the cry or procla-
mation was made, came the worthy clarke Euclides, and said to the king and
all the great lords if you will give me your children to govern and teach honestly
as gentlemen should under condition that you will grant them and me a Commission
that I have to rule honestly, as that Science ought to be used and ruled ; and the
King granted anon, and sealled a Commission and then the worthy Doctor took
the lords sonns and taught them the Science of Geometry for to worke in Stones
all manner of worthy work that did belong to Castles and all manner of Courts
Temples, and all manner of Churches, with all other buildings, and he gave them
a Charge in this manner, First that they should be true to the King and the Lord
whom they served and they should be true one to another and they should call
each other felow and not servant, nor knave nor any other foul name and they
should ordaine one of the wisest of them to be Master of the lords work, and
neither for low nor great livings, nor riches to lett any that had little understanding
to be Master of the lords worke ; whereby ye lord should be evil served, and they
should call the governor of tlie work the Master of the work whilest they wrought
with him, many other Charges which were long to relate, and to all other charges
he made y"" to swear the great oath, that men used to swear at that time, and or-
dained them reasonable payment that they might live by it honestly, and also that
they should come and assemble themselves, and have Councell in the Art of
Geometrey governed their ; and that worthy Master gave it that name & was
called Masonry in this land, long after the Children of Israel were come into the
land of Beliel, it is now called amongst us ye Coifntrey of Jerusalem. King
6o " Lodge of Hope MS." (N)
David begun the temple of Jerusalem which is called with them Temple of Diana
and the same King David love Masons well and cherished them and gave them
payment, he gave them the Charges and manners, as he had it out of Egypt given
by Euclides and other charges which you shall hear afterward, and after the death
of King David, Solomon his Son performed the Temple that his father had begun
and sent divers Masons of divers land, and gathered them together so that their
was Eighty thousand Workers of Stone & they were named Masons and he had
three thousand three hundred of them which were ordained to be Masters and
governors of the work and their was a King called Hiram, and he loved King
Solomon and he gave him timber for his worke, and he had a Son named Amon
& he was Master of Geometry and was the Master of all his workmen (or Masons)
and Master of all his graven and carved works and to all other masonry that be-
longed to the temple as it is written in the Bible i Kings fifth Chap ; and the
same Solomon confirmed both the charges and manners that his father had given
Masons : and thus the worthy Craft of Masonry was first confirmed in the countrey
of Jerusalem and in many other kingdoms glorious craftsmen walked abroad be-
cause of learning more craft, and others to teach their craft; and soe it came to
passe that the curious Mason named Minus Goventis (or Grevis) that had been at
the building of Solomons Temple and in France he taught ye Craft of Masonry
to men in France, and their was one of ye royall line of France that was called
Charles Martell he loved Minus Goventis well because of his craft, and he tooke
upon him ye charges and manners and afterwards by the grace of God he was to
be elected King of France, and when he was in his realme he took to him many '
Masons their & Manners and he ordered them good payment which he had learned
of other Masons, and he confirmed them a Charter to hold from yeare to yeare
& cherished them much and thus came the Craft into France. Eiiglahd all this while
stood voyde of Masons untill the time of St. Albone and in his time the King of
England was a pagan and builded the town yt is now called St. Albons after that
in Albons time was a worthy K^t & he was chief Steward with the King and had
ruleing of the realme, & also of makeing the Towne wall and he loved Masons
well and cherished them much and he made their payinent right standing as the
realme did require for he gave them every week iiis. vid. to their double payment
or wages, before yt time through all that land, a Mason took but a penny a day
and afterwards St. Albone amended it much and gott them a Charter from ye King
and Counsell and gave it the name of an assemblie, and theirat he was himself
and made Masons and gave them a Charge as you shall hear afterwards — Right
soon after the death of St. Albone came great warrs intb Ingland through divers
natione Soe y* good rule of Masonry could not be used untill that Athelstone
who was a worthy Kmg in England who brought the land into great peace, and
builded many great buildings of Abeys and Castles and many other great buildings,
and he loved Masons very much And he had a Sonn was Hoderine and he loved
Masons much more than his father, for he was full, of practise in Geometry where-
fore he drew himself to Common Masons, and to learn their Craft and afterwards
for love he had to Masons and the Craft he was made Mason himself and he gott
of his father the king a Charter and Commission to hold every yeare an Assembly
where they would within the realme and correct within themselves faults and tress-
pases that was done within the Craft, and he made himself an Assembly at ^Ol^K?
and there he made Masons and gave ym charges and taught them manners of
Masons and comanded that rule should be kept ever after and to them he gave
ye Charter and Commission to keep and make ordinance, that it should be ruled
from King to king when his Assembly was charged he made a Cry that all Masons
that had any writeing or understanding of the craft, that were made before in his
land that they should shew ym forth, and their was some in french, and some in
greek and latin, and some in English and other languages, and the intent theirof
was found, and he comanded a booke theirof to be made how the craft was first
found and comanded y* it should be redd and told where any Mason should be
made, and to give him his Charge, and from that time Masons have kept in this
forme, and order as well as men might govern it, stud furthermore at private
Assemblyes their have been added to it divers Charges more and more by the
Master and fellows advices.
Tunc umis ex Senoribus teneat librum et ille vel illi ponant
mcinus supra libritm et tunc preceept debeat legi, viz :
Every man that is a Mason take heed to this Charge if you find yourselves
guilty of any of these that you amend again and especially you that is to be charged
take you heed y* you may keep the Charge, for it is a great perill for a man to
foresware himselfe on a Booke.
1 The first Article of your Charge is that you shall be true to ffioll ailll X%Z
31?0lB CftUCCf) that you use noe Heresie nor Eror to your understanding.
2 Alsoe you shatl be true leige men to the King without treason or falshood
and that you shall know noe treason, but that you may amend it (if you may) or
else warne yf King or his Counsell of it.
3 Alsoe you shall be true one to another, Viz : — to every M"" and fellow of
the Craft of Masonry yt be Masons alowed, y' you dOe to them as you would
they should doe to you, also that every Mason shall keep true lodge and Chamber ;
and all other Counsell that ought to b& kept by way of Masonry.
4 Alsoe you shall be true to ye lord and Master, whom you serve and truly to
seek his profile and advantage.
5 Alsoe you shall call Masons your fellows and brethren and noe other foule
name neither shall you take your fellowes in Villany nor ungodlily his daughter or
his wife in Villany.
6 Alsoe that you shall pay truely for your Table, and meat and drink where
you goe to board.
7 Alsoe that you doe noe Villany in that house whereby ye Craft may be
slandered.
These be ye charges in generall y* every Mason should hold, both Masons and
fellowes.
Cii^^^ <tt!iarg^S which belong onely to the Masters and fellowes.
I That noe fellowe shall take any lords worke or other, but he know himself
able and cunning to perform the same soe that ye Craft have noe disworship but
that ye lord may be well and truly served.
62 " Lodge of Hope MS." (N)
2 Alsoe that noe Master take any worke but that he take it reasonably, soe
that the lord may be served truely with his own goods, and the master to have
honestly and pay his fellowes truly their pay as the manner of the craft doth
require.
3 And also that no master or fellow shall suplant others viz : — if he have
taken any worke or stand master of a lords worke you shall not put him out if he
can finish the worke.
4 Alsoe that noe Master or fellow shall take an aprentice to be alowed his
aprentice but in seaven yeares, and your aprentice to be able of his birth, and of
limbs as he ought to bee.
5 Alsoe, that noe master or fellow shall take any allowance to be made Mason,
without the consent of his fellowes (five or six or least).
6 Alsoe, he that shall be made Mason, shall be free born, and of good kin-
dred, and noe bondman, and shall have his right limbs, as a man ought to have.
7 That noe M"" shall put any lords work to task, that use to goe to Journey.
8 That noe M^^ shall give a penny to his fellowes, but as he deserves it, soe
that he be not deceived with false workemen.
9 Alsoe, that noe fellow shall slander another behind his back to make him
lose his good name or his worldly goods, and alsoe that noe fellow within the
lodge or without, may answer his fellow disrespectively without a reasonable cause.
TO Noe Mason shall play at hazard or other play, whereby they may be
slandered.
1 1 Noe mason shall be a comon riball in litchery, to make his master to be
slandered.
12 Noe fellow shall goe into the Towne in the night-time, where is a lodge of
fellowes without a fellow with him, that he may bear him witness, that he was in
an honest house or place.
13 That every Mason or fellow come to the assembly, if it be within five
miles about him : it he have warninge, and their stand at the reward of the Mrs
and fellowes.
14 Every Mason shall prefer his fellow, and put him to worship.
15 Every Mi" and fellow if he have trespassed, shall stand at reward of Mas-
ters and fellowes if he or they may make them account, and if they may not
accord then to goe to the comon assembly.
16 That noe Mason shall make any Mould square or rule to any rough layer.
17 Noe mason which is within a lodge or without, shall sett or lay, Mould,
Sconder, without mould of his owne makeing.
1 8 Every Mason shall receive strange masons or fs^llows when they come over
the Countery and set them in worke as the order Is viz : — if he have Mold,
Sconder to place, he shall sett him two weeks at the least in worke and give him
his hire and if there be no Sconder, for him then to refresh him with money to
bring him to the next lodge, and alsoe all masons shall be true to their work be it
by taske or journey and truely make an end of their worke ; that they may have
their pay as they ought to have it.
1.^;! .
Old Masonic Charges. 63
That he shall be true to god, and the Holy Church, the King his master and
dame whom he shall serve.
That he shall not steall or pick away his Master or Dames goodes absent
himselfe from their service, nor goe from them about his own pleasure by or by
night without licence of them.
That he doe not comit Adultery or fornication in his master house with his wife
daughter or servant.
He shall keep Counsell in all things spoken in lodge or chamber by Masons
fellowes or free masons, and that he shall not keep any disobedient argument
against any Mason nor disclose any secrett whereby any (difference) may arise
amongst Masons or fellowes or apprentice, but (reverently) to behave himself to
all free masons, being sworn brethren to his said Master.
He shall not use any carding, dicing or other unlawful games, haunt any Taverns
or Alehouses their to waist any mans goodes without licence of his Master or
some other free masons.
He Shallf
Examined and compared with the scroll this 'jth day of March, 1872.
Wm. W. Barlow, W.M., 302.
+ Here the parchment scroll is defaced, worn away with age, and torn off.
64 The "Antiquity MS." A.D. 1686.
THE "ANTIQUITY MS." A.D. 1686.
3fn tj)e name of tfee
(Swat anlj l)olp ®nSi
Fear t\)t totfiiomc of tj)E g)On anJl For
God And tje ffoolinEOBE of tfte bnlp This is the
Keep His ®[)06t SCIirec IPcreone *r one Whole Duty
Commmandments ®olI he toitj) us noh) & of Man
rter. 3(men.
^reti)eren atlJ jFellOtoee here begineth the Noble and Worthy gicwnce of Free
fSima\i9 or ®£omitrie and in what maner itt was first Founded and begun, And
afterwards how itt was confirmed by diverse Mtnjcl and^rttttes and by many other
SSRoraftqiful men and allso to those that be here we mind to shew you the Charge
that belongs to every Free JKadon to keepe For in good faith if you take good
heed it is well worthy to be kept for A Noble Craft and curious ^ttence. l)ir£f
there be seaven Libreall ^ttcntes of the which this Noble ^ctEntE of JHajioilB is
one And the seaven be these, the First is ©ranter and teacheth a man to spell and
write truely. The Second is SJetortefee and that teacheth a man to speake Faire
and Subtill the Third is JLofftcfce and that teacheth a man to desceme the truth
from the False The Fouerth is 3[ritbinetttfte and that teacheth a man to reckon and
Account. The fifth is ©eomtttte that teacheth a man Mett and measure ot Earth
and of all things of the which this detente is called by Mastr ffiutlilies ©eomititrte
and by SEitVttOuie is called ^rcjjttettttre the sixth is called JStufiique seaueum is
called ^Btromie and teacheth a man to know the course of the Sun and the Moon
and the Starrs These be the seaven Libreall Sciences of the which all be Founded
by one that is ®eomitrie and thus a man may prove that all the ^calien §)Ctencc6
be Founded by ©EomittrtE for it teacheth a man Mett and measure Ponderaton and
waight on all the things on Earth for there is no workman that worketh any Craft
but he worketh by some mett or measure and every man that buyeth or selleth
they buy or sell by some waight or measure and all this is ©eomitrie and the Mer-
chants and all other Craftsmen of the seaven §)CienceB and the Plowman and the
Tillers of the Earth and the Sowers of all maner of Graines seeds vines and plants
and setters of all maner of Fruits for ©traminEtr or ARITHMETICKE nor §lB=
Btronomje nor none of all the seaven Sciences can no man fine mett or measure
in without ©enmitcte wherefore methinks the said Science of ©eomitrie is most
worthy and all the other be Founded by itt. -JSut how this worthy Science and
Craft was First Founded and begun I shall tell you — Before JRoaft'S Flood there
was a man which was called ILamet^ as it is written in the ■^ible in the 4*11 Chapter
of ©enesiB and this LametJ) had two wives the one called 3Hlal) the other JEillaft
by his first Wife 3lraJ) he begat Jabell and his brother Juball & of Sillab she bare
Tuball-Caine and his Sister who was called Naamah. And tliese Foure children
found the begining of all these Crafts and Sciences in the world For the Eldest
son 3fai)Cll found the craft of ©eometvie and he fed flecks of Sheep and Lambs
Old Masonic Charges. 65
in the Field and first wrought houses of stone and he and his brother 3^116(111 Found
the Craft of MUSIQUE song of mouth HARPP ORGAN and all other Instru-
ments the Third brother STuiallsC'aiiiE found the smith craft ot Gold sillver Iron
Copper and Steell and the daughter found the craft ,of weaveing. And these
Children knew well that ®ai( would take vengance for sinn either by Fire or Water
wherefore they wrote these Sciences they had Founded in two Fillers of stone
that they might be found afterwards the one stone was called Carystius for that
would not burn in the Fire And the other was called Latherne and that would not
be drownded with Water. Our ffintent is to tell you how and in what maner these
stones were found that these giciences was written on. the j^ecmincrtttS that was
Cubb his son the which Cubb was Semmett son the which was Noah's son this
same |)ccintiierttt6 was afterwards called illrines the Father of the Wisemen he
found one of the two Fillers of stone and found the Sciences written therein
and he taught itt to others, and at the makeing of the Tower of ■Safatlan was
JHasnns first there made much of and when the Eintj of BABILON called ^eni=
trati) who was a ^isail himselfe and loved well t4ne rest as is said with the Master
of Stories And when the City of Neneve or the City of the East port should
have been made SXz\\\\xsA\) the Einf of ^abtlon sent thither Sixty jHasons of his
Reigon to the iltilig; of NINIVE his Cuzzon and when he sent them forth he gave
them a Charge in this manner
iFtrst that they should be true to their felEf Lord or Master they served And
that they should ordaine the most wise and cunning man to be Master of the J&tltjl
or Lords worke that was amongst them and neither for Love riches or faviour to
sett another that had litle cunning to be Master of that worke whereby the
Lord should be ill served and the ^cteace ill Dishamed.
Scconillp, that they should call the Governour of the said worke Master all the
time they wrought with him and other many more charges were too long to cyte
and for the keeping all those charges he made them sweare a great Oath which
men used at that time and ordained for them reasonable pay that they might live
with honesty and allso he gave them in charge They should Assemble together
every yeare once to see how they might worke best to serve the JRtnjt or Lord for
their profitt and their own worshipp.
SCj^trSIp that they should correct within themselves those that had trespassed
against the ^ctenie and thus was this Noble Craft first grounded there. And the
worthy Ms. ©ucltJcji gave it the name of (Seomttrte and how it v/as called through-
out all the world JItaaonrte. long: after when the Children of Isreall were
come into the Land of Berhest which is now called the Country of Jerusalem
where KING DaiJtU begun the ffieinple which is now called TEMPLM deI and
is now named with us the SEempIe of SfcrttiSalem and the same Eing; 53ai)tJl loved
JHasonai then right well and gave them good pay And he gave the Charges and
manners that he learned in ©Cfppt which were given by the worthy DOCTER
©ucltBes and other more Charges that you shall hear afterwards and after the
decease of feinf 2!)at]tl! then Raigned ^DlOinon£)alJi3j'6 son and he performed out
the SCemple that his Father had begunn and he sent after JHafiOns into diverse
Lands and into diverse Countries and he gathered them together so that he had
24000 workers of stone and were all named ;|HaiSon£i and he choosed out of them
3000 and were ordained to be Masts. Rulers and Governours of his worke and
there was a Htng of an other Reigon which men called ^rani and he loved well
KING_g»oIamon and gave him Timber to his worke and he had a son called
that was Master of ©eotnitrie and was cheife Master of all his JHasonS that be-
longed to the temple both for Graveing Carveing aiid all other Jltaatmctc.
L
Sr{)i6 is witnessed in the ■58tble (in Libro Regium tertio & quarto) and this same
Snltiinotl confirmed both the Charges and the maners which his Father had given
and thus was the worthy Science of fHiSOntie confirmed in that Countrie of
^fECUSalcm and many other Kingdoms and Reigions — ^Men walked into diverse
countries some because of Learning to learn more cunning and some to teach them
that had but little cunning. And so it befell that there was a man called jRantUfi
©reettntts who had been at the makeing of ^nlomon'fi fZCempIe and he came to
France and there he taught the men of that Land the giciente of Jlafionrte and
there was one of the Eopalt Line of France called Carolus JHarisell a man that
loved well the said Craft and tooke upon him the Rules and maners and after that
■5Bj) tf)t ©race of ©oB was elected to be feing of JFralue and when he was in his
Esstate he helped to make those ;JllaE((m6 that were non and gave them charges
and maners as he had learned of other JKasoHB and set them on worke and gave
them good pay and confirmed them a Charter from year to yeare to hould their
3[fifiEini)lie where they would and cherished them right well And thus came this
noble Craft into JFrante.
®nf lanU in that season stood void as Foraigne charge of JHafions untill lit.
3[Ihana time for in his day the JJins; of ©njflanll and that was as a that
did wall the Town about which is now called ^t. ^HjoilB and ^t. 3[lliottfi was a
worthy KNIGHT and STEWARD to the Hina; of his houshold and head
Gouernour of his Realme and allso of the makeing of *the walls of the said Town
and he loved well ^asDitS and cherished them much and made their pay right
good for he gave them iijs. vid. a weeke and iijd- a day for the bearers of Burthens
— before that time in all the Land a Jitasotl tooke but one penny on the day and
his meat till ^lioE mended itt. And he gott them a Charter from the ^ing; and
his Counsell for to hold a General Counsell and gave itt to name ^tgeemfiltE thereat
he was himselfe and did help to make JHafionfi and gave them Charges as you shall
heare afterwards. Soon after the death of ^t. ^llboilB there came diverse Warrs
into ©nslanll out of diverse Nations so that the good Rule of JflaBOlXB was quite
Disheired and put down untill the time of fetng; StlBtStan in his time there was a
worthy feing; in (EnjflanB that brought this Land into good rest and he builded
many great works and Buildings therefore he loved well ;ptaBnnB for he had a
son called ffiBtoinc the which loved JMasonB much more than his Father did and
he was so much practiz'd in (Senmitrit that he dehghted much to come and talke
with ^aBOns and to learn of them the Craft and after for the love he had to
JHaBona and to the Craft he was made JHaBon at WINSOUER and he got of
the i&tntj' his Father a Charter and Commision once every yeare to a<;semble with-
in the Realm where they would within ffinKlaitl and to correct within themselves
Faults and Trespasses that were done as touching the Craft and he hgld them an
SlfifiemtiltC at ^Otfee and there he made JHaBollB and gave them Charges and
taught them the maners and commands the same to be kept ever afterwards
And tooke them a Charter and Commision to keepe thelre 3[sBtmhlie and ordained
that it should be renewed from KING to fetng: and when the ^BSembltc were
gathered together he made a CDrp that all OLD JilaatinB or young that had any
writeings or understandings of the Charges and maners that were made before
their Lands wheresoever the were made ^aucmB that they shd shew them forth
They were found some in JFrcncF) some in (Srcefee and some in |)fbrcto some in
®nf lisb and some in other JLnntfaatfefi and when they were read and overseen
well the Intent of them all was understood to be all one.
And then he caused a Booke to be made thereof how this worthy Craft of
;plagonrie was first Found and he himselfe commanded and allso then caused that
Old Masonic Charges. 67
itt should be read at any time when it should happen ajiy JHaSntt or JJlaSOttEl to
be made to give him or them theire Charges and from that time untill this day
manners of JKaEioilEl hath been kept in this maner and forme as well as men
might govern itt. And furthermore at diverse 9[66erai)licB have been put and
ordained diverse Cratches by the best advice of JJlaijts and JcUotoii.
Tun unus ex seinioribus tenia Librum et illi fonent manum suam sicper Librum.
ffitacrp man that is a ;PlaBon take good heed to these Charges (wee pray) that
if any man find himselfe guilty of any of these Charges that he may amend him-
selfe or principally for dread of (Soli you that be charged to take good heed that
yee keepe all these Charges well for it is a great perill for a man to foreswear
himselfe upon a Booke.
Srj)e Sxx&X C^jarp is that yee shall be true men to ©oil and the holy Church
and to use no error or Herisie by your understanding and by wise men's teaching
allso
Seconlllp that yee shall be true Leige men to thelSing; of ©ntrlatlll without
Treason or any Falshood and that ye know no Treason or Trechery but yee
shall give knowledge thereof to the JKing or to his Counsell allso yee shall be
true one to another (that is to say) every fHason of the Craft that is JiSacion
allowed yee shall doe to him as yee would be done unto your selfe.
Srjjtrlllp and yee shall keepe truely all the Counsell that ought to be kept in the
way of jtlasonbooU and all the Counsell of the lollse or of the Chamber allso
that yee be no Theife nor Theives to your knowledge free that yee shall be true
to the JEltnf Lord or Master that yee serve and traely to see and worke for his
advantage.
JFourtJllp yee shall call all ;Pla6on6 your Fellowes pr your Bretheren and no
other names.
iFift&Ip yee shall not take your Fellows Wife in villany nor deflower his daughter
or servant nor put him to disworshipp.
§)ij:tj)lp yee shall truely pay for your meat or drinke wheresoever yee goe to
Table or board allso yee shall doe no villany there whereby the Craft or S)titnc(
may be Slandered.
W^z&t be the Charges Generall to every true JHasotl both Masters & Fellowes.
JSota) toill 3r Kefiearsc otfier Cfiaiffes ntnsle for iJlaBonsi alloioel! or accepted.
iFirfit that no JJlaBOn take on him no Lords worke nor other mans unless he
know himsehe well able to perform the worke so that the Craft have no Slander.
^etnnllp allso that no Master take worke but that he take reasonable pay for
itt So that the Lord may be truely served and the Master to live honestly and to pay
his Fellows truely and that no Master or Fellow supplant others of theire worke
(that is to say) that if he hath taken 3 worke or else stand Master of any worke
that he shall not put him out unless he be unable of eunning to make an end of
his worke And no Master nor Fellow shall take no Apprintice for less then
seaven yeares and that the Apprintice be free-born and of Limbs whole as a man
ought to be and no Bastard and that no Master or Fellow take no allowance to be
made ;plai301t without the Assent of his Fellows at the least six or seaven.
STJirlllp that he that be made be able in all degrees that is free-born of a good
kindred true and no Bondsman and that he have his right Limbes as a man ought
to have.
68 The ''Antiquity MS." A.D. 1686.
JFourt&Ij) that a Master take no Apprintice without he have occupation to
occupie two or three fellows at the least.
jFift&lp that no Master nor Fellow put away any Lords worke to task that
ought to be Journey worke.
Stj:t|)lj) that every Master give pay to his Fellows and servants as they may
deserve soe that he be not defamed with false workeing And that none slander
another behind his backe to make him loose his good name.
S)tal)eiitl)lp that no Fellow in the house or abroad answear another ungodly or
reproveably without a cause.
©igljtlp that every MASTER JItasan doe reverence his Elder and that a JHaBOn
be no common plaier at the Cards Dice or hazzard nor at other unlawful! plaies
through the which the Sicitnte and Craft may be dishonered or slandered.
3I3iutI)lp that no Fellow goe into the Town by night exept he have a FtUow
with him who may beare him record that he was in an honest place.
STentfelp that every Master and Fellow shall come to the ^IsaemfiliE if itt be
within Fifty Miles ot him if he have any warning and if he have trespased against
the Craft to abide the award of Masters and Fellows.
©Icientjlp that every Master ^ison and Fellow that hath trespassed against
the Craft shall stand to the correction of other Masters and Fellows to make him
accord and if they cannot accord to go to the- Common Law.
STtoetoetljlp that a Master or Fellow make not a mould stone Square nor Rule
to no Lowen nor set no Lowen worke within their Lolljie nor without to mould
stone.
STftictcentljIp that every JHison receve and cherish strange Fellowes when they
come over the Countrie a'ld set them on worke if they will worke as the manner
is (that is to say) if the ^aSDil have any mould Stone in his place he shall give
him a mould stone and sett him on worke and if he have none the ^ason shall
refresh him with money unto the next JLolfE.
JFourteentSlp that every ;ptafion shall truely serve his Master for his pay.
JFtfteentftIp that every Master shall truely make an end of his worke Taske or
Journey whether soe it be.
SEJ)CSe be all the Charges and Covenants that ought to be Read at the makeing
of a Free fSlK%tiTX or Free JStaSDitB THE ALMIGHTY ©oSl OF Jatoi) who
ever have you and me in his keepeing bless us now anS Cbev Slmen
SSEilliant ^rap jFrte=inatt of lonSon anli JFwe=maBDn.
Written by Eofiert Pairffett Clearke to the WORSHIPPFULL iiociEtj) of the
FREE JEasnnS of the CITY of LONDON in the second yeare of the RAIGNE
of our most GRACIOUS SOVERAIGN LORD JJins S'aracs the SECOND
of ENGLAND &c. Annoq Domini 1686.
Ceriified to be a true transa'ipt of the Original Scroll by
E.JACKSON BARRON, F.S.A., P.M. &- Sec. ''Lodge of Antiquity."
London, (>th December, 1871.
Old Masonic Charges. 6g
"ALNWICK MS." (R)
(A.D. 170T.)
CI)© ittas©Bg)* «D©Bg)®:f 2C®sr;3r©Bg).
©rate near unto me, ye unlearned, and dwell in the house of learning. — ■
Ecclesiasticus, Cap. li. ver. 23.
In the hand of the Craftsmen shall the word be commended. — EcclesiasiLus,
Cap. ix. ver. 17.
STfie might of the Father of Heaven with the Wisdom of his Glorious Son,
through the Grace and Goodness of the Holy Ghost, Three Persons in one God-
head, be with us att our beginning ; and Give us Grace soe to governe us here in
o^ Liveing, Thatt we may come to his Bliss thatt never shall have ending. Amen.
Good Brethren and Fellowes, oe Purpose is to tell you how and in whatt manner
this craft of masonry was Begun and afterwards how it was Founded by Worthy
Emperours and Princes and many other Worppu men, and alsoe to them that
be here, we will declare them. The Charge thatt doth belong to Every true
Mason is to keep in good Faith, and if you take good head theretoe it is well
worthy to be kept, for a worthy Craft and a Curious Science ; For there is
Seaven Liberall Sciences of the which itt is one of them, and the names of
the Seven Sciences be these — The First is Gramme and thatt teacheth a man to
speak Truely ; and to write Truely : The Second is Rhetoricke and thatt teacheth
a man to speak fair and in subtil Terms. The Third is Logick thatt teacheth to
Discern Trueth from falshood. The Fourth is Arithmaticke thatt teacheth to
Reckon and number all manner of numb^^. The Fifth is called Geometry and it
teacheth a man to mett and measure the Earth, and other things ; of which
Science is Masonry. The Sixth is Musick that teacheth the Craft of Songs, Organs
and Harpe and Trumpett. The Seaventh is called Astronomy thatt teacheth a
man to know the course of the Sunne moon and Starrs ; These be the seaven
Liberall Sciences which be all founded by that one science that is called Geometrie ;
For Geometrie teacheth a man mett and measure, Ponderation, and Weight of all
manners of things on Earth, and there is noe man thatt worketh any craft but he
worketh by some mett or measure, and noe man buyeth or selleth butt by some
measure or weight, and all this Geometrie ; And Craftsmen and Marches finde
noe other of the seaven sciences, and Especially PJowmen, and Tillers of all
manner of Graine, both come, seeds, Vines, Plants, Setters of all other fruite. For
neither Gramme nor Astronomy, nor none of all these can finde a man one
measure or mett, without Geometrie, Wherfor I think the Science of Geometrie
is to be accounted above any of the Seaven Sciences.
How this worthy Science was first begunne, I shall tell. Before
Ver'l9ti> Noah's Flood, there was a man called Lameck as it is written in the 4
Chap, of Gen. : and this Lameck had two Wives. The one was called
Adah, and the other Zillah ; By the first wife Adah he gott two Sons, the one
M
70 "Alnwick MS." (R)
Ver. 20th called Jaball, and the other Juball, and by the other wife Zillah he got
^^"ii^d"' ^ '^'^'^ ^^^ Daughter, and the four children found the beginning of all
Tuball Cain Crafts in the world. This Jaball was the elder Son, and he found the
and Naamah Craft of Gcometrie, and he parted flocks, as of Sheep and Lambs in
the fields, and first wrought Houses of Stone and Tree, as it is noted in the
Chape aforesaid, and his Brother Juball found the crafte of Musick, of Songs,
Organs and Harp.
The Third Brother found out Smith's craft to work Iron and steel,
and their sister, Naamah found out the art of Weaving ; These children did know
thatt God would take Vengeance for Sinne, Either by fire or water, wherefor they
wrote these Sciences which they had found in Two Pillars of stone, thatt they
might be found after the Flood.
The one stone was called Marbell^cannott burn with Fire, and the other was
called Laturus, thatt cannott drown in the Water :
Our intent is to tell you truely, and in whatt manner these stones were found
that the science was written on.
Gens 10th,
Ver. 8tii. The Great Hermem^s thatt was Son unto Cush, which was Son unto
alias Nimrod. shem, which was Son unto Noah : This same Hermemes was after-
wards called Hermes the Father of Wisdom, he found one of the Two Pillars of
Stones, and found the Science written thereupon, and he taught to other men ; And
att the makeing of the Tower of Babylon, there was the Craft off Masonry first
found, and made much of : And the King of Babylon who was called Nimbroth
was a Mason himselfe and loved well the craft, and is soe reported of by Masfes
of the Stories : And when the Citty of Ninevy and other Citties of the East
should be Built Nimbroth the King of Babylon sent tkither Sixty Masons att the
desire of the King of Ninevey his cosen, and when they went forth he gave them
a Charge on this manne (bt^) :
Nimlbroth'a Thatt they should serve the Lord traely for his payment, and thatt
they should be true one to another, and that they should Live truely
^^^^' together soe he might have Worship for sending them to him, and other
charges he gave y™. Moreover when Abraham and Sarah his wife went intoe
Egypt, and there taught the seaven Liberall Sciences to the Egyptians, and he had
a worthy Schole called Euclide, and he learned right well, and was Maste of all
the Seaven Liberall Sciences. And it befell in his days thatt the Lords and State
of the Realm had soe many Sons, thatt they had begotten, some by their Wives,
and some by other Ladyes of thatt Realme ; For that Land is whole layd and a
replenished Generation, and they had nott Liveing competent tor their children,
wherefor they made much sorrow. And the King of thatt Land Assembled a great
Councill at a Parliam* to know they might mentain their children, and they could
finde noe good way, soe they caused a cry to be made throughout the Realm, if
there were any man thatt could inform him, thatt he should come unto him, and
he should be well rewarded for his Travell, and should hold himselfe well pleased.
After this cry was made, came this worthy Clark Euclide and said to the King
and all his Greatt Lords — If you will give me yo^ children to govern and Teach
them honestly as Gentlemen should be taught under condition thatt you will grant
them and me a Commission thatt I may have Power to Rule them honestly, as
thatt Science ought to be ruled, and the King with his Councill granted them anon
and sealed them that Commission, and the worthy Docfe took to him the Lord's
sons and taught them the Science of Geometrie in practice for to work in stones
Old Masonic Charges. 71
all manne of work thatt belonged to building of Castles, all manne of Courts,
Temples and Churches with all other Buildings, and he gave them a Charge in
this manne.
Euolydes First that they should be true unto the King — and to the Lord they
Charge in served, and thatt they should live well together, and be true one to
Egypt- another, and thatt they should call one another Fellow, and nott
servant nor his knave, nor other foul names ; and thatt they should truely serve
for their Payment to their Lord, thatt they serve ; and thatt they should ordain
the wisest of them to be Maiste of the said Lord's work, and neither for Love
great Lineage nor Liveing nor Riches to sett any other thatt had Httle cunning for
to be Maister of the Lord's work, whereby the Lord should be ill served, and they
ashamed ; and thatt they should call the Governs of the work Maste of the work
while they wrought with him, and many other charges which were too long to tell.
And to all the Charges he made them swear thatt great Oath thatt men used att
thatt time to swear, and ordered for them Reasonable paym* that they might live
by work honestly ; and alsoe thatt they come and assemble themselves together,
thatt they might have Councill in their Crafte, how they might worke best to serve
their Lord for his proffit and worship, and thus was the craft of Geometric grounded
there ; and thatt they correct themselves if they had trespassed, and that worthy
Maste Euclide gave it the name of Geometric, and it is called Masonry throughout
all the land ever since. Long after the children of Israeli were come intoe the
land of Bless ; and it is now amongst us called the country of Jerusalem. King
David began the Temple of Jerusalem, which with them is called Templum Domini;
And the same King David loved Masons very well and cherished them, and gave
them good paymt : And he gave them the charge and mannes as he had it out of
Egypt given by Euclide, and other charges thatt you shall hear afterwards.
And after the decease of King David, Solomon thatt was Son to David performed
out the Temple thatt his father had begun, and sent after Masons of
v*5i6^' ^ diverse Lands, and gathered them together,, soe thatt he had fourscore
Thousand Workers of Stone. And they were named Masons, and
three Thousand of them which were ordained to be Mast^s and Governs of this
work.
And there was a King of another Region that men called Hiram, and he loved
well King Solomon, and gave him Timber for his work : and he had a son thatt
was named Ajuon, and he was Maste of Geometric, and he was chief Maste of all
his Masons and Mastes of all his Graveing and Carving works, and of all other
Manne of Masonry thatt belonged to the Temple, and this is Witnessed in the
Bible in Libro Regum prio Cap 5*^ And this same Solomon confirmed both
charges and mannes which his Father had given to Masons, and after this manne
was thatt worthy Craft of Masonry confirmed in the country of Jerusalem and many
other Kingdoms. Glorious craftsmen walking about intoe diverse countrys, some
because of Learning more craft, and some to teach their craft, and soe it befell
that there was a curious mason named Naimus Grsecus thatt had been att the
makeing of Solomon's Temple, and came intoe France, and he taught the craft of
masonry to the men of France. And soe there was one of the Royall Lyne of
France that was called Charles Martiall, and was a man that loved well such a
craft, and drew to him this Naimus Grajcus abovesaid, and learned of him the
craft and took upon him the charges, and afterwards by the Grace of God was
elected King of France, And when he was in his stall he took to him many
72 "Alnwick MS." (R)
Masons and made Masons there that were none, and set them on work, and gave
them both charges and manners which he had learned of other Masons and con-
firmed them a Charter from year to year to hold their Assembly, and cherished
them much, and thus came the craft into France.
England all this time stood void of any charge of Masonry, untill the time of
S* Alban, and in his time, the King of England thatt was a Pagan and he walled
a Town that is now called S* Albons, and in thatt S* Albons was a worthy Knight
which was chief steward to the King and Governe of the Realm, and alsoe of
making of the Town Walls and he loved Masons well, and cherished them, and
he made their paym* right good standing pay, as the Realm did require, for he
gave them every week, Three shillings six pence, their double wages befor thatt
time, throughout all the Land a Mason took butt a penny ye day and meat untill
the time that St Albon amended it, and gave them a charts of the King and his
Councill, and gave it the name of Assembly, and thereatt he was himselfe and
made Masons and gave them a charge as you shall hear afterwards.
Right soon after the decease of St Albon there came great Warrs intoe England
of Divers nations soe thatt good rule of Masonry was destroyed, unto the time of
King Athclstone thatt was a worthy King in England, who brought the Land intoe
great rest and peace, and builded many great works of Abbeys, Castles, and many
other buildings, and he loved Masons well. And he had a Sonn that was named
Edwine; and he loved Masons more then his Fathe did, for he was full of Practice
in Geometrie wherefor he drew him to common Masons to learn of them their
Craft and after for the love he had to Masons and to the Craft he was made
Mason himself, and he gott of his Father the King a Charte and Commission to
hold every year an Assembly wherever he would within the Realm, and to correct
within themselves faultes and Trespasses thatt were done within the Craft, And
he held an Assembly att Porfe, and there he made Masons, and gave them charges
and taught them the manne of Masons, and commanded that Rule to be holden
for ever hereafter : and to them he gave the Charte and commission to keep and
make ordinances thatt should be observed from King to King when this Assembly
was gathered togethe he made a cry that all Masons both young and old thatt had
any knowledge or understanding of the charges thatt were made in this Land, or
in any other Land thatt they should shew them forth ; and there was found some
in Greek some in English, some in French, and some in othe Languages ; and
the Intent thereof was found and commanded thatt it should be read and told
when any Mason was made, and to give him his Charge, and from that Day un-
till this present time Masons have been kept in thatt form and order ; as well as
men might govern it. And furthermore at diverse Assemblyes there hath been
putt and added certaine charges more and more by the best of advice from Mast®
and Fellows.
Then shall one of the most ancient of them all hold a Book that he or they
may lay his or their hand or hands upon the said Book, and these precepts foll-
owing ought then to be Read.
Every man thatt is a Mason take heed right well of this charge. If you find
yoeself guilty of any of these, thatt you amend you again, and especially yee thatt
are to be charged : Take heed thatt you may keep this charge for it is a great
Perill for a man to forswear himself on a Book.
The First charge is Thatt you shall be a True man to God and his
Edwine'a holy Church and thatt you use noe heresy nor error to your under-
charge, standing, or to desert discreet or wise men's Teaching, Alsoe you shall
Old Masonic Charges. 73
be a true Liege man to the King without Treason or falshood, and thatt you
shall know noe Treason, but thatt you mend it and you may, or else warne the
King or his Councill thereof : Alsoe you shall be true one to another (that is to
say) to every Masto and Fellow of the Craft of Masonry thatt be Masons allowed.
Thatt you would do to them, as you would they should doe to you. Alsoe thatt
every Mason keep true Councill of Lodge of Chamb", and all other Councill, that
ought to be kept by way of Masonry :
Also that noe man shall be Thief, nor Thief's see soe far as you shall know.
Alsoe thatt you shall be true to yoe Lord and Mast^ thatt you serve, and truely to
see his Profitt and Advantage. Alsoe that you shall call Masons yoe Fellows and
Brethren ; and by noe other Foul Name, nor you shall nott take yo^ Fellows wife
in Villany' or desire ungodly his daughte or his servant to his Villany, Alsoe you
shall pay truely for yoe Table and meat and drinke where you goe to Board, and
alsoe thatt you doe noe Villany in thatt house whereby the craft should be slan-
dered. These be the charges in Generall that a Mason should hold both Mast^s
and Fellows.
Rehearse I will now other charges singular for Masters and Fellows. First that
noe Maste shall take any work of a Lord, or any other work butt thatt he know
himself able and cunning to performe the same, soe thatt the craft have noe dis-
worship, but- thatt the Lord may be well and truely served ; Alsoe that noe Maste
take any work, but that he take it reasonably, soe thatt the Lord may be truely
served with his own goods, and the Maste to live honestly, and pay his Fellows
truely their pay as the manno of the craft doth require ; Alsoe thatt noe Maste or
Fellows subplant others of these works (thatt is to say) if he hath taken a worke
or stand Maste of a Lord's work ; you shall nott putt him out, if he be able and
cunning of craft to end the work ; Alsoe thatt noe Maste or Fellows take noe
Apprentice to be allowed his Apprentice butt for seavon yeares, And thatt Appren-
tice be able of his Birth and Limbs as he ought to be. Alsoe that noe Maste or
Fellows take noe allowance to be made without the assent of his Fellows, and thatt
att the least Five or Six. And that he thatt shall be made Mason be able over all
Sciences — (thatt is to say) that he be free born, and of good Kindred, and noe
Bondman, and thatt he have his right Limbs, as he ought to have : Alsoe thatt noe
Maste putt noe Lord's work to task, thatt was wont to goe to Journey.
Alsoe thatt every Maste shall give to his Fellows, butt as he may deserve, soe
thatt he be nott deceived by false worke. Alsoe thatt noe Fellow slander one
falsly behinde his back to make him loose his good Name or his worldly goods.
Alsoe that noe Fellow wtt in the Lodge nor without misanswer another neither
ungodly or irreverently without reasonable cause. Alsoe thatt mason preferr his
Elder and put him to worshipp. Alsoe thatt noe Mas6n should play att Hazard or
any othe unlawfuU game whereby they may be slandered : Alsoe that noe mason
be a common Rebell in leachery to make the craft to be slandered and thatt noe
Fellow goe intoe the Town in the Night time, where is a Lodge of Fellows, with-
out a Fellow thatt may bear him witnesse thatt he was in an honest place : Alsoe
thatt every mason and Fellow come to the Assembly if it be within Fifty miles
about him ; if he have reasonable warning and stand there att the award of Maste
and Fellows : Also thatt every Maste and Fellow if th.ey have Trespassed one to
another shall stand the award of Maste and Fellows to make them accord if they
may ; and if they may not accord, then to goe to Common Law ; Alsoe thatt noe
mason make moulds, Square or Rule to any Rough Layers, Alsoe thatt noe Mason
sett any Layer within a Lodge or without to Hew or mould stones with noe mould
of his own makeing — Alsoe thatt every mason shall cherish and receive strange
Fellows, when they come over the countrey and sett them on work as the manne
is (thatt is to say) if they have mould stones in place, he shall sett him a fortnight
att the least on work, and give him his hyre : And if there be noe Stones for him
to work, he shall refresh him with money, to bring him to the next Lodge. And
alsoe you and every mason shall serve truely the workers, and truely make an end
of your work, be it Task or Journey; if you have your pay, as you ought to have.
STftffit CDJatiCfa thatt we have reckoned, and all other thatt belongeth toe
Masonry you shall truely keep and well observe, so helpe you God and Holy-
doome ; and this Book, to the uttermost of your Power.
FINIS.
Gra : Loquitz : I.o : vera docet : Rhe : verba solorat : Mu : canit. Ar:
Numeratt : Ge : Ponderat
Ast : capit Astra.
Transcribed from the original Scroll by W. J. Hughan.
Old Masonic Charges. 75
''PAPWORTH'S MS." (T)
(About A.D. 17 14.)
5Ete mtgftt of the Father of Heaven with the wisdom of his blessed Son through
the grace of God & goodness of the Holy Ghost yt be three persons in one God-
head be with us at our beginning & give grace so to govern us here in this life
living, that we may come to his Bliss that never shall have ending. Amen.
Good Brethren & Fellows Our purpose is to tell you how & in what manner
this worthy Craft of Masonry was begun & afterwards how it was founded by worthy
Kings & Princes & many other worshipfull men & also to them that that be here
we will declare the Charges that belong to every true Mason to keep for in good
truth if yt you take good heed it is well worthy to be kept well for a worthy Craft
& curious Science. For there are Seven liberal Sciences of the which Seven it is
one of them, & the names of the Seven be these. The first Gramar, and that
teacheth a roan to Speak truely & write truely, and the second is Rhetorick, &
that teacheth a man to speak fair & in sublime terms, & ye third is Logick &
that teacheth a man to discerne truth from falshood, and the fourth is Arithmetick
and that teacheth a man to reckon & account all manner of Numbers, And the
fifth is Geometry and that teacheth met & measure of either & so all other things,
of the wch Science is annexed Masonry, And the Sixth Science is called Musick
and yt teacheth a man Song and voice of tongue & Organ Harp & Trumpet And
the Seventh Science is called Astronomy and that teacheth a man to know the
course of the Sun of the Moon & of the Starrs. These be the Seven liberal
Sciences, the which seven be all founded by one that js Geometry and this may
a man prove that the Science of the work is founded by Geometry for Geometry
teacheth met & measure ponderation & weight of all manner of things on earth ;
/or their is no man that worketh any Craft but he worketh by some met or measure
nor no man that bieth & selleth, but he byeth & getteth by some met or measure
or byeth by some weight, and all this is Geometry, and these Merchants and all
Crafts & all other of these Seven Sciences & especialy the Plowman & Tillers of
all manner of Grain & seeds, vine flowers, & setters of other fruit. For in Gramar
nor Rhetorick nor Astronomy nor in any other of all the Seven liberal Sciences
can no man finde met or measure without Geometry wherefore we think that this
Science of Geometry is most worthy & foundeth to all others.
How that these worthy Sciences was first begun I shall you tell. Before Noahs
Flood there was a man called Lamech as it is written in the Bible in ye 4 Chapter
of Genesis & this Lamec^ had 2 wives, the name of the one was Adah & the other
was Zillah, by this wife Adah he got 2 Sonns and the one he named Jabel & the
other Tubal, and by the other wife Zillah he begat a Son and a Daughter, and
these 4 Children founded the beginning of all the Crafts in the World, & his eldest
Son Jabel founded the Craft of Geometry, he had flocks of Sheep & lands in the
fields, 85 first wrought in hewing of Stone and tree as it is noted in the Chapter
76 "Pafiworth's MS." (T)
above said, and his brother Jubal founded ye Craft of Musick song and tongue
Harp & Organ, & the third brother Tubal Cain founded the Craft called Srnith
Craft of Gold silver Copper, Iron & brass & steel & ye Daughter found the Craft
of Weaving.
And these Children knew well yt God would take vengeance for Sin either by
fire or water wherefore they did write the Sciences they had found in two Pillars
of Stone that they might be found after Noah's flood, and the one Stone was Marble
for it would not burn with fire, and the other Stone was called Latirnes & yt would
not drown with water. Our intent is to tell you how these Stones was found in
which the Sciences was written.
The great Hermes was Cub his Son, ye wch Cub was him that was Noah's Son.
These Harmarines was afterwards called Hermes the Father of wise men. He
found one of the 2 Pillars of Stone and he found the Sciences written therein and
he taught it to other men. And at the making of the Tower of of Babilon there
was Masonry made much of, & the hight Nimrod was a Mason himself & loved
well the Craft as it is said with Masters of Histories, And when the city of Ninive
& other Cities of the East should be made, Nimrod of Babel sent thither 60 Ma^
sons at the Rogation of the King of Ninive his Cosin& when he sent them forth
he gave them a Charge in this manner that they should be true to each other that
they should love truely together & yt they should serve their Lord for their pay
so their Master might have worship & all that belong to him & other more Charges
he gave them, and this was the first time that ever Mason had any Charge of his
Craft.
Moreover when Abraham and Sarah his wife went into Egypt & there he taught
the 7 Sciences to the Egyptians, and he had a worthy SchoUar the hight Euclyd
& he learned right well & was a Master of all the 7 liberal Sciences, and in his
days it befell that ye lords of ye States of ye Realm had many Sons yt they had
gotten some by their wifes & some by their Ladyes of that Realm, for yt land is a
hot land & plenteous in generation & they had not a competent living to finde
their Children & wherefore they had much care, & then the King of that land
made a great Counsel & a Parliament to wit how they might find their Children
honestly as Gentleman, & they could find no manner of good way, & then they
did Cry through all the Realm that if there were any man that could inforrae them
that he should come to them & he should be well rewarded for his travel that he
should hold. After this Cry was made then came this worthy Clark Euclyd &
he said to the King & to all the great Lords if you will take me to your Children
to govern & to teach them one of the Seven Sciences wherewith they may live
honestly as Gentlemen should under condition that he will grant me & them a
Comission that I may have power to Rule them after the manner that the Science
ought to be ruled & the King & all his Counsel granted him & sealed their
Comission and then this worthy Doctor took to him these Lords & taught the
Science of Geometry in practice to worke in Stones all manner of worthy work
that belongeth to buildings Churches & Temples Castles & Towers Manners &
all other manner of Buildings. And he gave them a Charge in this manner.
The first was that they should be true to their King & to the Lord that they
owe & yt they should love well together & to be true each one to another & that
they should call each one his fellow or else his brother and not his Servant or
Knave, or any foul name, & that they should truely deserve their pay of their
Lord or the Master yt they serve, & they should ordam the wisest of them to be
Master of the work & neither for love nor great Linage, riches nor favour to set
another yt hath little cunning for to be Master of the Lords work whereby the
Old Masonic Charges, 77
Lord shall be evil served «& they ashamed. And also that they should call ye
Governor of the Work Master in the time that they work with him, and other
many more Charges he made that it is too long to tell, and to all the Charges he
made them to swear a great Oath that men used at that time & also ordained for
them reasonable pay or wages that they might live honestly, And also that they
should come & assemble together every year once ho\v they might work best to
serve the Lord for his proiit & to their own worship & to correct within themselves
him that had trespassed against the Craft, & thus was the Craft grounded there,
And that worthy M^ Euclyd gave it the name of Geometry and now it is called
Masonry through out all the land. Sith long after when the Children of Israel
did come into the land of the Behest that is now called amongst us the Country
of Jerusalem David began the Temple of the Lord that is called Templum Domini
which is called the Temple of Jerusalem & this King David loved well Masons
& cherished them much & gave them good pay & he gave them the Charge & the
manner as he had learned in Egypt Euclid gave them, and Charges more y* you
shall hear afterwards. And after the decease of King David Solomon that was
King Davids Son performed out the Temple y* his Father had begun and he sent
after Masons into divers Countries of divers lands & gat them together so that he
had 80 thousand workers of Stone & were all called Masons & he choosed out
three thousand that were ordained to be Masters & Governors of his Works. And
furthermore there was a King of another Region that men called Hiram & he loved
well King Solomon and he gave him cunning men to work, & had a son that was
called Benaim & he was a Master of Geometry & was Master of all his Masons
and Carving and of all other manner of Works belonging to the Temple and this
is witnessed in the Book of Kings called Libro Regum Cap. 30.
This Solomon gave Orders Charges & Manners that his Father had gotten of
the Masons & thus was this worthy Craft Confirmed in the Country of Jerusalem,
& in many other Kingdoms curious Craftsmen were sent full wide into divers
Countries some because of learning more Craft & Cunning, & some to teach those
that have little Cunning & it befell that there was one cunning Mason that hight
Nimus Graneus that had been at the making of Solomons Temple, & he came
into France 8c there he taught the Science of Masonry to men of France. And
there was one a Regalian of France that hight Charles of Merten & he was a man
that loved well such Craft & Nimus Graneus that is above said & he learned of
him the Craft & took upon him ye Charge & manner & afterwards was elected to
be King of France & when he was in his estate he took Masons & did undertake
to make men Masons that were none & gave them both the Charge & manner
how to pay as he had learned of other Masons & confirmed them a Charter from
year to year, & to hold their Assembly where they would & cherrished them much,
& thus came the Craft into France. England all this time stood void for any
charge of Masonry untill S*- Albans time & in his time the King of England was
a Pagan, about that yt is called S*- Albans, & S'- Albap was a worthy Knight and
Steward of the King & of his Household & had Government of his Realm &
also of making the Town walls & loved well Masons & cherrished them right much
& he made their pay right good standing as the Realm did for he gave them 2
Shillings & Six pence, a week & three pence for their nuncions and before yt time
throughout all the land a Mason took but a penny a day untill S*- Alban amended
it & gave them a a Charge of the King & of his Counsell for to hold a general
Assembly or Counsel & gave it the name of Assembly & thereat he was himselfe
& helped to make Masons, and gave them the Art as you shall heare afterwards.
Right soon after the decease, of S*' Alban there came divers warrs into England
out of divers Nations so that the good Rule of Masonry was destroyed untill the
time of King Athelston that was a worthy King of England & brought this land
into rest & builded many great Works as Abbies & Towers and all other manner
of buildings, & loved well Masons, And he had a son yt hight Edwin & he loved
Masons much more then his father & was a great practiser in Geometry & he
drew to Masons & loved much to talk and comune with them & to learn of them
the Craft he was made a Mason & he gat of the King his Father a Charter &
Comission to hold every year one Assembly wheresoever they would within the
Realm of England and to correct within themselves defaults & the Trespasses
that were done within the Craft, & he held himself an Assembly at ^avk & there
he made Masons and gave them Charges & taught them ye Manner and comanded
that rule to be kept ever after & took them the Charter & Comission to keep
and made Ordinances y* it should be renewed from King to King & when the
Assembly was gathered together he made a Cry yt all old Masons & young that had
any writing or understanding of the Mannors & Charges that were made before in
this Land or in any other that they should shew them forth & when it was proved
there was lound some in French & some in Greek & some in other Languages &
the intent of them was found all one, and he made a Book thereof how the Craft
was founded And he himself bad and Comanded that it should be read or told yt
when any Mason should be made for to give his Charges and from that day to this
time the Manner of Masons have been kept in that form as men might govern it
Furthermore at divers Assemblies hath been put & ordained certain Charges by
the best advice of Masters & Fellows.
Tunc unus ex senioribus tenet Librum ut illc illi ponant manus super Librum
& tunc praecepta deberent legi.
Every Mason that is a Mason take right good heed to these Charges if any man
find himself guilty in any of these Charges against God that he amend, <S- prin-
cipally ye yt that are to be charged take good that ye may keep these Charges
right well for it is a great perril for a man to forswear himself upon a Book.
2!;]|)e jFfEg)®; eipaE©®.
That he or thou shall be true man to God & and to the holy Church & y* he
use neither Error nor heresy to your understanding or discreet or wise mens
teaching.
And also that he shall be true leige-man to the King of England without treason
or treachery but that ye amend it privately if ye may, or else tell the King or his
Counsel.
And also ye shall be true one to another y* is to say to every Mason of the
Craft of Masonry yt be Masons allowed ye shall do to them as you would they
should do to you.
And also that ye keep truely all the Counsel of the Lodg & of the Chamber &
all other Counsel y' ought to be kept by way of Mason-hood.
And also y* no Mason be theivish or a Thief but as far forth as he may use
honestly his wit or knowledge.
And also you shall be true to the Lord or to the Master you serve & truely see
his profit and advantage.
And also you shall call Masons y Brethren or else y Fellows but no other foul
name.
And also you shall not take in villany your Fellows wife nor desire ungodly his
daughter nor his Servant nor put him to disworship.
Old Masonic Charges. 7g
And also yt yu pay truely for yr meat,& your drink where you go to board.
And also that you do no Villany in that place where you go to board whereby
the Craft may be slandered.
These be the Charges in generall that belong to every true Mason to be kept
both Masters & Fellows.
l^t\it'SiK^t in general other Charges for Masters %l Fellows.
First that no Mason shall take upon him any Lords work or other mens work
but that he knoweth himself able & sufficient of cunning to performe the same
Lords work so that ye Craft have no slander nor disworship but that the Lord may
be well served & truely.
And also that no Master take any work but that he take it reasonably so that
the Lord may be truely served with his own good & the Master to live honestly &
to pay his fellows truely as the manner is.
And also that no Master nor fellow shall supplant others of their work yt is to
say yt he hath taken a work or else stand Master of the Lords work ye shall not
put him to work unless he be able of cunning to perfo*rm or end the same work.
And also that no Master nor Fellow take no Prentis within the term of seven
years & the Prentis be able of Birth free born & of limbs whole as a man ought
to be.
And that no Master nor Fellow take no allowance to make any Mason without
the assent and consent of his Fellows six or else seven at the least, & he that shall
be made Mason be able in all manner of degrees that is to say free born & of good
kindred & true & no bondman & also that he have his right limbs as a man ought
to have.
And also that no Mason shall take any Prentis unless he have sufficient occupa-
tion for to occupy one or two or three fellows at the least.
And also that no Master nor Fellows put no Lords work to texen yt was wont
to go to Jornay.
And also that Every Master shall give pay to his Fellows but as he may deserve
so yt he may not be decoyed by false workmen.
And also y* none shall slander another behind his "back to loose his good name
or else his worldly riches.
And also that no Fellow within the Lodge or or without misanswer another
ungodly or ribaldry without a cause.
And also that every Mason shall reverence his elder -and put him to worship.
And also y* no Mason shal be no comon Player at hazard or at ye Dice nor no
unlawful game whereby the Craft might be slandered.
And also yt no fellow go into the Tavern on nights there that is a lodg of
Fellows without he have a Fellow with him yt he may bear witness that he was in
honest play.
And also yt every Mason & Fellow shall come to ye Association if it be within
5 miles about him if he have any warning & if he have trespassed against the Craft
shall stand there at ye award of Master & Fellows, ^ to make them accord if they
may ^- if they may not accord then to go to ye common law.f
Certified by Mr. Wyatt Papworth to be a true copy, March, 1872.
f Remainder is lost.
8d '' Krausis MS." (Z)
"KRAUSE'S MS." (Z)
(Translation.)
STIje C-onstitutian tomplcteti 6p tlje pious (printe) (Blitotrt bcjrina :
The omnipotence of the eternal God, Father and Creator of the heavens and
the earth, the wisdom of his divine Word, and the influence of his given Spirit,
be with our beginning, and grant us grace so to govern ourselves in this lite, that
we may obtain His approval here, and everlasting life After death.
The good brethren desire ; first, to know how and in what manner the venerable
art of architecture began ; but after that, how it has been preserved, and how it
has flourished by the aid of kings and princes. Then they wish to know also,
which of those laws, introduced by St, Alban, after the manner of the Romans,
are still good and useful. As now the Romans and Greeks, already held the art
of architecture to be worthy of faithful observance as a great art and remarkable
science, so shall it be according to the wish of the pious king. But this is the
beginning and progress of this art.
History of the Origin and Progress of Masonry beyond the confines of Britain.
When the first man had gone, with all his mental and physical advantages, out
of the hand of God, he soon sinned against his Creator, and the consequence was,
that as a punishment^ he soon felt the effects of the weather, to protect himself
from which, he was compelled to consider. But with the lofty intellect which he
had received from God, and as God himself had taught him the art of writing, it
could not' be otherwise than that he should think of a dwelling place, and lay
down rules in all the other necessary sciences which had been discovered, so thaf
his posterity might be guided thereby. Hence, therefore, Cain built the first
town, (and with this began to flourish the art of building regular houses in the
East,) Cain's son Enoch, in particular, was a great architect and astronomer, he
foresaw in the stars, that the world should be destroyed once by water, and again
by fire, and made therefore two great pillars, one of stone and the other of clay,
upon which he inscribed the fundamental rules of the *art, so that the science of
Adam and his posterity might not be lost. The art of working in iron had been
already brought to perfection by Tubal Cain, the art of weaving by Naamah ; and
by her brother Jabal the breeding of cattle, agriculture, and the setting up ot tents,
which people afterwards used in war.
All the posterity of Adam preserved these arts, until at last Noah planted the
vine and received instruction from God, in the earliest laws of men from the
creation of the world, and was taught to build a great floating house of wood, by
which the art of ship-building was originated, which the people of Soria (Phoenicia,)
were afterwards the first to use.
Two generations after Noah, his descendants, proud of their knowledge, built
on the plain of Shinar, a great city and a high tower bf lime, stones, and wood,
in order that they might dwell together, under the laws which their ancestor N( ah
had made known, and that the names of Noah's descendants might be preserved
for all time. This arrogance however did not please the Lord in heaven, the
lover ot humility, therefore he caused a confusion of languages among them before
the tower was finished, and scattered them in many uninhabited lands, whither
they brought with them their laws and arts, and then founded Kingdoms and
Principalities, as the divine Scriptures often testify. Nimrod in particular, built a
town of considerable size ; but Noah's son Shem remained in tJr in the land of
the Chaldeans, and spread a knowledge of all the sciences and arts abroad, and
taught also Peleg, Serug, Nahor, Terah, and Abraham ; the last of whom, knew
all the sciences, and had knowledge, and continued to instruct the sons of free-
men, whence, afterwards, the numerous learned priests and mathematicians, who
have been known under the name of the Chaldean magi. Abraham continued to
propagate the arts and sciences farther when he came to Egypt, and found there,
in Hermes particularly, so apt a scholar, that the latter was at last termed the
Trismegistus of the sciencies, for he was at once Priest and Naturalist in Egypt,
and through him and a scholar of his, the Egyptians received the first good laws
and all the sciences, in which Abraham had instructed him. Subsequently Euclid
collected the principal sciences which he named Geometry, but the Greeks &
Romans called them Architecture.
In consequence of the confusion of languages the knowledge of the arts and
sciences could not be extended, until people had learnt to make comprehensible
by signs what they could not understand from words. Hermes brought the custom
of making himself understood by signs with him to Egypt, when he filled with
inhabitants a valley by the Nile. Thence afterwards, this art came into all distant
lands ; but only the signs which are given by the hands have remained in Archi-
tecture, for the signs of the figures are as yet known to but few.
In Egypt the overflowing of the Nile gave opportunity to exercise the arts of
measuring and building bridges and dykes which Mizraim introduced. They used
burnt bricks {Sieine,) wood, and earth ; therefore all this became known to the
heathen kings who were compelled to prepare stones, lime, and bricks, and to erect
buildings therewith, by which means however, by God's will, they only became
the more experienced artists, and became so celebrated, that their art spread as far
as Persia. After this, Moses led this chosen people out of Egypt to Canaan, and
caused their artists to build the most celebrated ark of the covenant of wood and
iron, and wrought {worked) gold. He brought above all the art of Architecture
to great perfection, because wisdom was in him. The old inhabitants it is true,
already built with stone, and had certainly already houses and towns, and palaces,
but the sacred architecture which had been used in the building of the ark sur-
passed all others.
•When Joshua had brought the ark to Shiloh, the priests served God around it,
and tilled land, as it was tilled in Egypt, and as it still is, for the benefit of man-
kind.
From this time the art of building with lime, stone, and wood, spread even
further, and the people of Phoenicia in particular distinguished themselves therein,
for they built the cities of Tyre and Sidon, which their kings afterwards caused
their artists to beautify. Among these. King Hiram distinguished himself above
all, and became therefore so celebrated, that the Israelitish king Solomon, when he
• proceeded to erect the sacred Temple to God, which his father had projected,
begged him (Hiram), to send skilful artificers and workmen. For the Phoenicians
excelled also in the sacred art of building, and had excellent architects, one of
whom, Sanchiston, erected the temple of Dagon, an artistic, noble, and spacious
sacred edifice, which held 3000 persons, although they offered sacrifices to false
. gods therein. And it was the same also in other lands.
Though spacious and excellent buildings were already formed every where, they
all remained far behind the sacred Temple which the wise King Solomon caused
to be erected in Jerusalem in honor of the true God, where he employed an un-
commonly large number of workmen, as we find in the Holy Scriptures, and the
King Hiram of Tyre added a number, among these assistants was King Hiram's
most skilful architect, whose name was Hiram Abif, the son of a widow, and who
afterwards made the most excellent fittings, and the 'most costly work, which are
all described in the Holy Scriptures. The whole of these artificers were divided
into certain classes, and thus at this great building was founded, for the first time,
a worthy (venerabiles), Society of Architects (Societas Architectonica). Similar
arrangements were afterwards made by the Greeks and Romans, and from the
Romans, they afterwards came over the sea to us here, from Italy and Gaul.
These divisions arose from the division of the artificers, according to the nature
of their work, into Collegia or Lodges, each of wl\ich had a Master (MagisUr
fahricae), and several wardens, hence it followed that the directions of the Archi-
tect could be punctually carried out ; they had at the same time to care for the
tools and materials, and the weekly payments, as well as the food and articles of
clothing to give out. It was also necessary to constantly attract appentices, so
that workmen should never be wanting. Thus arose a complete union among them
all, and as the Master and Wardens received the directions from the Architect
also, a union of all these lodges with each other resulted, and love and friendship
bound them all together so strongly, that each one divided his superfluities with
his necessitous brother, and thus they corrected not only the errors in their work,
but those in themselves.
Probably under just such excellent arrangements, and by the aid of the numerous
workmen, Solomon's admirable work, (which could contain 30,000 persons) was
erected, to the astonishment of all the neighbouring nations, (from whom com-
petent judges came to Jerusalem,) in seven years and six months, by Solomon the
wisest of mankind, with all its splendid and complete internal arrangements,
(fittings.) After it was finished, they kept a general feast, and the joy over the
happy completion, was only dimmed by the death soon after, of the excellent
Master Hiram Abif. They buried him before the Temple, and he was mourned
for by all. Thus the extraordinary architecture, employed on this sacred edifice
was spread abroad : and it was held in great repute by all nations. Many
Architects and skilful workmen, who had helped to complete the edifice, availed
themselves of this, and now wandered far around, in order to teach those who
were less skilful ; in doing which, they made similar arrangements to those which
they had learnt in Jerusalem. One of these, named Ninus with his companions,
reached the Western coasts in a Phoenician ship, thus it happened that he was the
first to introduce the Oriental Architecture on those coasts, whence it spread
abroad into the countries of the West. The remainder stayed in Jerusalem, as
King Solomon wanted their help, to erect his palaces, and other excellent edifices.
After Solomon's Temple had stood 430 years, it vt^as destroyed by Nebuchad-
nezzar. He also led many building artificers prisoners to Bablyon, and erected
very excellent buildings. These edifices, were, it is true, far from equalling the
architecture which Solomon had used, but the remarkable art of architecture was,
however, preserved in this manner, and continued, until the great Cyrus, afterwards
let the Jews return again to Jerusalem and gave Zerubbabal orders to build up
the Temple again upon the same spot. It is true, Cyrus died while the work was
in progress, but it was continued under Darius ; after twenty years' labour it was
completed, and the building feast held. This Temple, also, was such an excellent
Old Masonic Charges. 83
building, that even the Jews' enemies admired it, although it was not equal to the
first Temple. Zerubbabel's Temple stood until the time of Antoninus and
Octavius when it was pulled down by their governor Herod, who caused to be
again built, upon the same spot, the third Temple, in Grecian style by Grecian
Architects, and this also was very magnificent.
Many workmen laboured thereon nine years and six months, before they could
celebrate the builders' feast
At this time the knowledge of Architecture had been spread as far as the West,
by the Phoenicians, who navigated the sea in all directions for trading purposes ;
in Greece also it had attained great perfection, and we find many splendid large
buildings throughout the whole of Greece, all of which had been first caused by
Solomon's Temple, in consequence of the admiration it excited in all the neigh-
bouring nations. The navigation in the West was prosecuted by the Romans, who
thus came to Greece and the East.
Pythagoras, the Greek, in particular, promoted Architecture. He travelled
into Egypt, and Syria, and to all parts where it flourished. He was admitted into
lodges, and on his return gave instruction about them ; he then proceeded by sea
to Greece and remained there, becoming very celebrated as a philosopher ; he
founded also at Crotona the great School of Philosophy and Architecture, and he
was the discoverer of many fundamental principles, which were afterwards applied
to Geometry. He had many scholars, who, also, afterwards became philosophers,
and were equally celebrated ; they, also, were the discoverers of many such
fundamental principles, until the renowned Euclid of Tyre, brought all these
principles together, and compiled a book, which it is necessary for all architects
to understand. After the time of Euclid all the sciences were regularly taught,
and were divided into Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithynetic, Geometry, Music,
and Astronomy. All these seven arts an Architect must know ; therewith, how-
ever, he must also know other sciences of the Romans, for which reason it is very
difficult to be an architect. Still, Geometry will always remain the basis of
Architecture, and it is sufficient that those who are not Architects, make them-
selves thoroughly acquainted with this (geometry) only.
As it was always difficult to become an Architect, the art was held in esteem by
the Greeks, as it was only the free-born who were permitted to learn it, this being
forbidden to the slaves. Thus it flourished, as in Athens, so in Carthage, in
Etruria, and also upon the island of Syracuse, wherein the sage Archimides be-
came so celebrated for his knowledge of geometry, and by his death in its pursuit.
The Romans drew their knowledge of the arts and sciences out of Etruria,
Greece, Egypt, and Asia, and acquired a closer knowledge of them, through their
wars. For this purpose, they carried celebrated and learned persons to their city ;
and learned people from among themselves travelled into those places and re-
turned again. Thus, Rome became, in course of time, the chief seat of learning,
which reached its best period under the Emperor Augustus, who had done so
much to promote it, and because under his government the Messiah was born ;
Rome became afterwards the first capital in the West, in which the Gospel from
the East took root.
The Emperor Augustus, had in his pay, the excellent Architect Vitruviiis, of
Rome, who was particularly celebrated, and by him very many excellent edifices
were erected. Therefore we call the correct Architecture which Vitruvius again
introduced, the Augustan. Vitruvius wrote a book on the subject of Architecture,
this, and the book of Euclid must be understood by every Architect.
84 "Kratises MS." (Z)
History of the Origin and Progress of Masonry in Britain.
But this art of building was brought by Itahan and Galhc Architects to Britain.
In the 43rd year after the birth of our Lord, the Emperor Claudius sent Archi-
tects from Rome to England, who had to build castles and towers, so that the
Romans might be secure in Britain. They taught others the Vitruvian art of
Architecture, and so, during the life time of the Emperors Vespasian and Hadrian,
were also built the walls against the northern nations ; but King Lud, (Lucius,)
who was the first Christian King of Britain, built churches. And as the Greeks
and Romans had already instituted Lodges, this arrangement was also introduced
in Britain, and thus it remained in some parts of England until the year of our
Lord 300, when the Emperor Carausius caused a castle to be built in the town of
Vemlam, and a wall round the town, for which reason he caused yet more arti-
ficers to come from Rome. He had a Roman Architect who was called Amfi-
abulus, and he became the teacher, (Doctor,) of St. Alban, whom the Emperor
appointed to manage the erection of the buildings, because he was at the head of
his household. St. Alban, a worthy Roman knight, took to the art, because he
had grown fond of it ; he loved the workmen, and gave them great support. He
made Constitutions and charges for the Masons, and taught them the customs ;
every thing as Amfiabalus had taught him. He procured for them also good pay,
for he gave to the workmen two shillings per week, and three pence for their food,
while formerly they had only had one penny and their food. He also obtained a
charter from the Emperor Carausius, according to which the workmen in the whole
of BritEiin, were made into a Society by themselves, and were placed under the
Architects, which had not been the case before, as each individual had taken
work whereever he found it to do. St. Alban belonged to this Society himself,
helped to admit new workmen, and took care that they had always plenty of
work ; and he was the first who did this in Britain. His death must have been a
great grief to the Society, for the Emperor, having learned that he had secretly
become a Christian, he was, like John, executed as a Confessor of the Faith, and
thus became the first martyr in Britain, as the former had been the first martyr
among the Christians.
Persecution overcame them, and the art lay in the dust, until it was again raised
by the Emperor Constantine and under his son (the Emperor Constantine) the
Christian religion flourished, when some churches and large edifices were erected
in the Roman style of Architecture.
Wars, however, again took place with the northern nations, (Picts and Scots,)
and as these obtained the mastery, the Romans withdrew from the government of
England ; the Britons were therefore compelled to call the Angles and Saxons to
help them ; and then the art was again laid low, because these nations were
heathens, and the war was continued.
At last, however, there was a return to peace, and the Bishop of Rome, caused
the Angles and Saxons to be converted to the Christian faith, through which, more
skilful builders constantly arose in Britain, who were instructed by the watchful
(Vigilans,) remainder of the old British Architects.
Old Masonic Charges. 85
Now, were first of all built, the churches in Canterbury and Rochester, and the
older churches were repaired. After this, also, King Charles Martel, sent many-
masons over the sea to Britain, as the Saxon Kings had desired him, and thus the
vigour of Architecture continually increased under the direction of the old British
Architects.
It is to be regretted, it is true, that many beautiful Augui5tan edifices were
destroyed by the incursions of the Danes, who also had burnt many records of
the Society, (Societas,) with the Monastic buildings, in which, even at that time,
the Lodges were already held : this want, however, the pious King Athelstane,
who prized the art so much, determined to remove, when he had concluded peace
with the Danes ; and to restore many splendid buildings. He commanded, there-
fore, that the Roman Constitution which St. Alban had introduced, should be again
adopted and confirmed ; for which purpose, he also gave his youngest, (perhaps
adopted,) son Edwin, who had joined the Architects, and learnt their customs, a
charter of freedom for the Masons, that they might govern themselves, and be
able to found institutions for the progress of the art. He also caused Masons to
come from Gaul, and made them also Wardens, and the Constitutions of the Greeks,
Romans, and Gauls, which they had brought with them in writing, were compared
with those of St. Alban, and in accordance with them, all the Societies of Masons
were to be arranged.
Thus, see now, in the pious Prince Edwin, your protector, who will execute the
royal commands, encourage you all, and remind you not to let errors which you
have before committed, occur again. For this reason the Architects and Wardens
of all the Lodges must meet every year, and deliver their reports about the build-
ings, and what there is in the work which may be improved.
He has called you here together to JBorfe, and the Wardens shall now repeat to
you the laws which they have found in the faithful old records which have been
examined, and which are good and useful to observe.
But the following are the laws which you will accept and promise to observe,
when you have taken them by means of laying of the hand upon the Sacred
Book, ( Evangelium,) which the Wardens will present to you.
Every Master (Magister fabrlcae,) shall cause them to be read in his Lodge.
Also, every Master, shall cause them to be read, when a new Brother is admitted,
because such an one, shall also swear on the Gospels t6 observe them.
II. STfte latoe or obliffattonis laiJ iefore JtB^rot^et: jlacfonfi 6p Prince ©Itotn.
1. The first obligation is, that you sincerely honor God, and follow the laws of
the Noachedseans, because they are divine laws, which should be observed by the
whole of the world : for this reason, you shall also avoid all heresies, and not sin
against God thereby.
2. You shall be faithful to your King without treachery ; and without guile,
obey the authorities, whenever you may find yourself. High treason, be far from
you ; and if you hear of anything of the kind, you shall warn the King.
3. You shall be obliging to all men, and as far as you can, make true friend-
ships with them ; not being hindered therefrom if they are attached to another
religion or opinion.
4. In particular, you shall always be faithful to one another ; teach one another
truly ; and assist one another in the art; not speak evil one of another ; but do
by each other as you would wish to be done by. Also, should a Brother offend
O
86 "Krauses MS." (Z)
against anyone, or against his Brethren, or err in any other matter, all of you must
assist him to make it right again, that he may be made better.
5. You must be faithful to the deliberations, and labours of the Members in
every Lodge, and keep the sign a secret from every one who is not a Brother.
6. Every one shall refrain, from faithlessness becaus,e without faith and honesty,
the Brotherhood cannot exist : and a good name is a great estate. Also, ye shall
always regard the service of the Lord or Master whom ye serve, and help to pro-
mote his interests ; and always bring his work honestly to an end.
7. Ye shall always pay honestly what ye owe ; and above all, do nothing which
might endanger the good repute of the Brotherhood.
8. So then no Master shall undertake any task, if he does not believe he has
ability to execute it, for he would only cause the Architect shame among the
Brethren. Further, every Master shall demand fair play, so that he can live, and
pay his workmen.
9. Further, nobody shall seek to deprive another of the work which has been,
given to him, unless he is incapable of doing it.
10. Further, no Master shall take an Apprentice for any term but seven
years ; and shall not, even then, make him a Mason, without the counsel and ap-
proval of the rest of his Fellow-Brediren.
1 1 Further, no Master or Mason, shall take the fees, to make anyone a Mason,
unless he is free-born, of good repute, has capacity, and has no bodily infirmity.
12. Further, no Companion shall find fault with another, unless he knows
better how to do the work, than he with whom he finds fault.
13. Further, every Master shall listen to the Architect, and every Mason to
the Master, when he is required to improve his work, and to pay attention thereto.
14. Further, all Masons shall be obedient to their Officers, and do willingly
what they bid them.
15. Further, every Mason shall receive Companions, who come from a dis-
tance, and who give him the Sign. He shall then care for them, as it is taught
him. He shall also assist necessitous Brethren if he has received information of
their distress, as he is taught, and even if it is at the distance of half a mile.
16. Further, no Master or workmen, shall admit another, who has not been
made a Mason, to the Lodge, to see the art of moillding, nor let him mould
stones, nor make any square or level, nor teach him the use of them.
These are the Obligations, (Laws,) which are useful and necessary to be kept.
Whatever is found in , future to be useful and necessary, shall be written down,
and made known by the Wardens, that all the Brethren may be bound to
observe it.
Here endeth the Constitution.
The Latin certificate which follows, runs thus : " This manuscript, written in the
old language of the country, and which is preserved by the Venerable Architec-
tonic Society in our town, agrees exactly with the preceding Latin translation."
I confirm this. York. Janry 4ti 1806
{Stomhouse.)
Old Masonic Charges. 87
The undersigned, hereby certify officially, that this transcription of the Latin
certificate, which forms portion of the Latin translation, that is rendered into
German as above, is an exact copy of the original ; and that the German version
above is a faithful reproduction is hereby declared, after comparison by three
Linguists.
Altenberg. Jan 9*^ i8og.
Royal Chancery of Saxony
Carl Erdmann Weller
(Secretary of the Government Tribunal.)
W^t ollr ©bltotattang anli Statutes, tollecteii bp orier of t^c feinf in tje pear
1694. Wm i>p tfir tommanU of tbe iltntt (SSEilltam III.)
1. The first obligation is, that you shall be faithful to God, and avoid all
Heresies which contradict Him.
2. Further, you shall also be faithful subjects of your King, and obey those
placed in authority by him. You shall not take part in High Treason or treachery,
but give notice to the King thereof, or to his Council.
3. Further, you shall be' true to all men, and particularly to each other ; instruct,
and mutually assist one another : and above all, do to others, as you would they
should do unto you.
4. Further, you shall diligently frequent the Lodges, in order that. you may
constantly receive instruction, preserve old customs, and faithfully keep everything
secret which you may have learned concerning Masonry, that strangers may not
enter, in an irregular way.
5. You shall also neither steal, nor hide stolen goods, but be faithful to the
Lord who pays you, and to the Master for whom you work ; also see to the profit
of the Lord, and work for his advantage.
6. Further, you shall love all Masons, and term them Companions or Brethren,
and call them by no other name.
7. Further, you shall not seduce your Brother's wife to commit adultery, nor
defile his daughter, nor his maid ; nor bring him to shame in any way : nor cause
him to lose his work.
8. Further, you shall honestly pay for your food and drink, where you may
turn in. You shall commit no crime, nor do anything base, by which the Society
of Masons might fall into ill repute.
These are the general obligations which bind every Master Mason and his
Brethren.
The particular duties are these.
Firstly. No Mason shall undertake work for a Master-builder, or anyone else,
unless he knows that he is fit, and capable of completing the work ; as otherwise
he will discredit the Craft.
Secondly. No Master shall at any time undertake a work for which he is not
paid sufficient to permit him faithfully to serve his employer, and to enable him to
live decently, and to pay his workmen properly ; but he shall not demand more
than what is just. Also, no Master or Brother, shall supplant another, unless in
.a case where the latter has not sufficient knowledge lo enable him to complete
the work which he has undertaken.
Thirdly. No Master or Brother shall take an apprentice for any less period
than seven years. In the same manner no Master shall make anyone a Mason,
unless he has the consent of at least six or seven of his Brethren. But whoever
is made a Mason must be freeborn, of good origin, and have straight and sound
members, as a man should have.
Fourthly. No Master shall take an apprentice, unless he has work enough to
employ two or three of his Brethren.
Fifthly. No Master of workmen shall leave his employers' work undone, or
transfer it to another as day work, but faithfully and honestly complete it, whether
he may have agreed by the piece or by the day.
Sixthly. Every Master shall pay his Brethren and Assistants what they have
earned, that they may not disgrace him by bad work. Also, no one shall accuse
another, to rob him of his good name.
Seventhly. No Brother shall speak to his fellow Brother hastily, or in an un-
becoming manner, without a cause.
Eighthly. Every Mason shall behave respectfully to his Officers and Elder
Brethren. Also, no Mason shall play cards, dice, hazard, or any other unlawful
game, because he would thereby dishonor himself and the Craft.
Ninthly. No Brother shall rove about at night, except he be in the company
of one of his Brethren, that he may be kept from improper places and deeds.
Tenthly. Every Master and Brother shall come to the Assembly, if it is within
five miles of his abode, as soon as he is summoned to it ; and he shall also there
await the verdict of the Master and Brethren, if he has sinned against the Craft ;
and he shall submit himself to the punishment which the remaining Masters and
Brethren impose upon him. If, however, they cannot pardon his offence, he shall
be excluded from the Work.
Eleventhly. No Master or Brother shall permit anyone who cannot give the
right Sign, to make a mould, or square, or draw a line, or teach him to use these
things. He shall not let him enter his Lodge, nor use him to mould the stones.
Twelfthly. Every Mason shall receive lovingly, the friendly Brethren who give
the right Sign, and if they want work, or ask for this only to the next Lodge as
usual, he shall give to them in this manner, that if he have stones to mould he
gives them half to do, and thus finds employment for them. If however he has
not stones to mould, he shall assist him to the next Lodge with money.
These are the old Obligations ; they shall be read according to custom, to every
one who is made a Freemason.
JSejtitlationB C-oinpiIcli nnli arraitifElJ in oxttt, from tfie tovitten rctorliis, from the
time Df Mns ©BrcB to Htns pentv VIII.
1. All lawful Brotherhoods shall be placed under Patrons who belong to the
Craft, and who can give counsel to the Kinp;. Neither .several Brotherhoods who
join together, nor a single one, can elect a Patron for themselved.
2. They shall in the first instance be called to counsel by the King, in order
that they may make proposals to the Architects in wars, and for the construction
of large buildings (Opus) in accordance with the science and knowledge which
belongs to them. Besides this, they shall work with the Architect, that great
buildings may be erected to the honor of the Craft. For this reason, all men
who are employed as foremen, ( Werkmeiskr,) shall be previously examined.
Old Masonic Charges. 89
All Patrons, Architects, Masters, and Wardens, (Magistris d Curatoribus,) shall
assemble their Brotherhoods once every year, on a chosen day ; and undertake
such examinations together ; and they shall mutually cQunsel each other ; and also
take care that past errors are corrected ; and that the decisions in every Lodge,
which may have been regarded as the peculiar laws (Crafties) of any one Lodge,
may be generally accepted ; and that the lawful Brotherhoods may also always
find work, and that the Lords, (Locator operis,) may be honestly served, and
they shall always resist the entry of strangers and disturbers, who do not rightly
belong to the Craft.
3. The Patron, or he who is selected by him for the purpose, shall occasionally
examine the Brotherhoods in their Lodges, and take care that they continue in
their work and customs ; and see that these things are done in a similar way in
every Lodge.
4. It is well if the numbers of the Members of a Brotherhood are not too
numerous, because, otherwise, the Wardens will be hindered in keeping good
order, the numbers shall be fifty or sixty without reckoning the accepted Masons.
A note follows here : (Yox a long time past, the whole of them, in England
and Scotland, have numbered each one hundred.)
5. If the number, of the Members of a Brotherhood, has increased so much
over the proper number, that the surplus is sufficient to form a Lodge, a new
Lodge shall then be formed. Members of older Lodges, whose numbers are too
numerous, may join the new Lodge, if it is more convenient to them.
6. The Master of a Lodge can found a new Lodge, just so well as he can
make Freemasons, and as he can open the doors of all Lodges to them.
7. The Masters who form new Lodges, shall remind the members of them, to
also elect for themselves a Patron, and when this is done, they shall make their
Constitutions known to all regular Lodges by charters. Every year a new Master,
who presides, shall be elected. He selects his Deputies, who fill his post, if he
is absent ; and Assistants are also then given him.
9. Every year, upon St. John the Baptist's Day, every Lodge shall assemble,
with the Architect for whom the Members work, or with his deputies. They shall
converse in a friendly manner, take counsel concerning the new Master to be
elected, and take a meal together in mutual love. It shall be previously settled
who shall provide for the meal, and the cost thereof shall be fixed.
10. Every presiding Master of a Lodge, shall be competent to call all the
members together, as often as he may find it necessary, and all the Brethren must
obey. The same may also be done by his Deputy, or by the Senior Warden, in
case the Master shall be hindered from doing so. In all Lodges, every thing is
decided, by a majority of the voices of those present.
11. Every Master of a Lodge, or he who is empowered to do so, shall keep a
book, in which, not only the laws which are to be read at every initiation, shall be
written ; but also, all remarkable matters.
12. Whoever wishes to be made a Master, must seek to become so for several
months before ; and all the Brethren of the Lodge whgre he has so sought, shall
vote. Also in an assembled Lodge, no more than five new Brethren shall be
accepted at one time, in order that they may all comprehend the first instructions.
13. Whoever shows himself disobedient to his Patron or to his Superiors, or
otherwise commits such a fault that his Brethren cannot be satisfied with him,
90 " Krauses MS." (Z)
shall be admonished by the Master and Wardens, or by him who is commissioned
4:0 do so, to improve himself : When this has happened twice, no more work shall
be given to him.
14. In all decisions which are arrived at in the Lodge, the old Charges, and
the Marks of Secrecy shall be kept in view ; for they must remain untouched, and
as they are unchangeable and useful, must always be carefully observed.
The Latin Certificate which follows, runs thus ; " This translation in the Latin
-language is the same as that which has been added, from time to time, to the
aforesaid parchment manuscript ; and which is at the end of it."
L certify this, York MDCCCVI on the same day.
( Stonehouse. )
The present copy of a Latin Certificate is the same in meaning, as the original
that is among the translations of the Charges and Regulations which we translated
at length above ; and it is, moreover, according to the opinion of competent
-judges, and by the undersigned, certified to be correct, after comparison.
Altenberg, 9th January, 1809,
Royal Chancery of Saxony,
Carl Erdman Weller,
Secretary of the Government Tribunal.
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