SECTION II.

History of Masonry in England under St. Austin, King Alfred^ Edward, Athelstane, Edgar, Edward the Confessor William the Conqueror, Henry L, Stephen, and Henry II. and also under the Knights Templars.
AFTER the departure of the Romans from Britain, Masonry made but a slow progress, and was almost totally neglected, on account of the irruptions of the Picts and Scots, which obliged the southern inhabitants of the island to solicit the assistance of the Saxons, in order to repel these invaders. As the Saxons increased, the native Britons sunk into obscurity, and -ere long yielded the superiority to their protectors, acknowledging their sovereignty and jurisdiction. These rough and igno- rant heathens, despising every thing but war, soon put a finishing stroke to all the remains of ancient learning which had escaped the fury of the Picts and Scots. They continued their depredations with unrestrained rigour, till the arrival of some pious teachers from Wales and Scotland; when, many of these savages being reconciled to Christianity, Masonry got into repute, and lodges were again formed ;7 but these, being under the direction of foreigners, were seldom convened, and never attained to any degree of consideration or importance.
Masonry continued in a declining state till the year 557, when Austin, with forty more monks, among whom the sciences had been preserved, came into England. Austin was commissioned by Pope Gregory to baptize Ethelbert, king of Kent, who appointed him the first archbishop of Canterbury. This monk and his associates
Eropagated the principles of Christianity among the in- abitants of Britain; and by their influence, in little more than sixty years, all the kings of the Heptarchy were converted. Masonry flourished under the patronage of Austin, and many foreigners came into England, who introduced the Gothic style of building. Austin seems to have been a zealous encourager of architecture, and appeared at the head of the Fraternity in founding the old cathedral of Canterbury in 600, and the cathedral of
7 See the Book of Constitutions, edit. 1784, p. 90. ..* '• y *'«»^
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Rochester in 602; St. Paul's, London, in 604; St. Peter's, Westminster, in 605 ; and many others.8 Several places and castles were built under his auspices, as well as other fortifications on the borders of the kingdom, which very considerably increased the number of Masons in England.
Some expert brethren, who had arrived from France in 680, formed themselves into a Lodge under the direction of Bennet, Abbot of Wirral, who was soon after appointed by Kenred, king of Mercia, inspecter of the lodges, and general superintendent of the Masons.
During the Heptarchy, Masonry continued in a low state ; bat in the year 856, it revived under the patronage of St. Swithin, who was employed by Ethelwolph, the Saxon king, to repair some pious houses; and from that time it gradually improved till the reign of Alfred, A. D. 872; when, in the person of that prince, it found a zeal- ous protector.
Masonry has generally kept pace with the progress of learning ; the patrons and encouragers of the latter having been most remarkable for cultivating and promoting the former. No prince studied more to polish and improve the understandings of his subjects than Alfred,9 arid no one ever proved a better friend to Masoniy. By his in- defatigable assiduity in the pursuit of knowledge, his example had powerful influence in reforming the dissolute and barbarous manners of his people.
As this prince was not negligent in giving encourage- ment to the mechanical arts, Masonry claimed a great part of his attention. He invited, from all quarters,
8 See the Monasticon Anglicanum.
9 Hume, in his History of England, relates the following particulars of this celebrated prince :
" Alfred usually divided his time into three equal portions : one was employed in sleep, and the refection of his body by diet and exercise ; another, in the despatch of business ; and a third in study and devo- tion. That he might more exactly measure the hours, he made use of burning tapers of equal lengths, which he fixed in lanterns ; an expedient suited to that rude age, when the art of describing sun-dials, and the mechanism of clocks and watches, were totally unknown. By this regular distribution of time, though he often laboured under great bodily infirmities, this martial hero, who fought in person fifty-six battles by sea and land% was able, during a life of no extraordinary length, to acquire more knowledge, and even to compose more books, than most studious men, blessed with greater leisure and application^ have done in more fortunate ages."
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industrious foreigners to repeople his country, which had been desolated by the ravages of the Danes, and introduced and encouraged manufactures of all kinds among them. No inventor or improver, of any ingenious art, did he suffer to go unrewarded; and he appropriated a seventh part of his revenue to maintain a number of workmen, whom he constantly employed in rebuilding his ruined cities, castles, palaces, and monasteries. The University of Oxford was founded by him.
On the death of Alfred in 900, Edward succeeded to the throne ; during whose reign the Masons continued tc hold their Lodges under the sanction of Ethred, his sis- ter's husband, and Ethelward, his brother, to whom the care of the Fraternity had been intrusted. Ethelward was a prince of great learning, and an able architect : he founded the University of Cambridge.
Edward died- in 924, and was succeeded by Athelstane his son, who appointed his brother Edwin patron of the Masons. This prince procured a charter from Athelstane, empowering them to meet annually in communication at York; where the first Grand Lodge of England was formed in 926, at which Edwin presided as Grand Master. Here, many old writings were produced in Greek, Latin, and other languages, from which the Constitutions of the English Lodges are derived.10
10 A record of the society, written in the reign of Edward IV., said to have been in the possession of the famous Elias Ashmole, founder of the Museum at Oxford, and which was unfortunately destroyed with other papers on the subject of Masonry, at the Revolution, gives the following account of the state of Masonry at this period :
" That, though the ancient records of the Brotherhood in England were many of them destroyed, or lost in the wars of the Saxons and Danes, yet King Athelstane (the grandson of King Alfrede the Great, a mighty architect), the first anointed king of England, and who translated the Holy Bible into the Saxon tongue (A.D. 930), when he had brought the land into rest and peace, built many great works, and encouraged many Masons from France, who were appointed overseers thereof, and brought with them the charges and regulations of the Lodges, preserved since the Roman times; who also .prevailed with the king to improve the constitution of the English Lodges according to the foreign model, and to increase the wages of working Masons.
" That the said king's brother. Prince Edwin, being taught Masonry, and taking upon him the charges of a Master Mason, for the love he had to the said Craft, and the honourable principles whereon it is grounded, purchased a free charter of King Athelstane for the Masons having a correction among themselves (as it was anciently expressed)
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Athelstane kept his court for some time at York, where he received several embassies from foreign princes, with rich presents of various kinds. He was loved, honoured, and admired by all the princes of Europe, who courted his friendship and alliance. He was a mild sovereign, a kind brother, and a true friend. The only blemish which historians find in his whole reign, is the supposed murder
or a freedom and power to regulate themselves, to amend what might happen amiss, and to hold a yearly communication and general assem bly.
"That, accordingly, Prince Edwin summoned all the Masons in the realm to meet him in a congregation at York, who came and composed a general Lodge, of which he was Grand Master; and having brought with them all the writings and records extant, some in Greek, some in Latin, some in French, and other languages, from the contents thereof that assembly did frame the Constitution and Charges of an English Lodge, made a law to preserve and observe the same in all time coming, and ordained good pay for working Masons." &c.
From this era we date the re-establishment of Freemasonry in England. There is at present a Grand Lodge of Masons in the city of York, who trace their existence from this period. By virtue of Edwin's charter, it is said, all the Masons in the realm were con- vened at a general assembly in that city, where they established a general or grand Lodge for their future government. Under the patronage and jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, it is alleged, the Fra- ternity considerably increased ; and kings, princes, and other eminent persons who had been initiated into Masonry, paid due allegiance to that Grand Assembly. But, as the events of the times were various and fluctuating, that assembly was more or less respectable ; and, in proportion as Masonry obtained encouragement, its influence was more or less extensive. The appellation of Ancient York Masons is well known in Ireland and Scotland ; and the universal tradition is, that the brethren of that appellation originated at Auldby. near York. This carries with it some marks of confirmation ; for Auldby was the seat of Edwin.
There is every reason to believe that York was deemed the original seat of masonic government in this country ; no other place has pre- tended to claim it; and the whole Fraternity have, at various times, universally acknowledged allegiance to the authority established there : but whether the present association in that city be entitled to the alle- giance, is a subject of inquiry which it is not my province to investi- gate. To that assembly recourse must be had for information. Thus much, however, is certain, that if a General Assembly or Grand Lodge was held there, (of which there is little doubt, if we can rely on our records and constitutions, as it is said to have existed there in Queen Elizabeth's time.) there is no evidence of its regular removal to any other place in the kingdom ; and upon that ground, the brethren at York may probably claim the privilege of associating in that character. A number of respectable meetings of the Fraternity appear to have been convened at sundry times in different parts of England ; but we wo cannot find an instance on record, till a veiy late period, of a
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of his brother Edwin. This youth, who was distinguished for his virtues, having died two years before his brother, a false report was spread, of his being wrongfully put to death by him. But this is so improbable in itself, so inconsistent with the character of Athelstane, and, indeed, so slenderly attested, as to be undeserving a place in history.11
general meeting (so called) being held in any other place beside York.
To understand this matter more clearly, it may be necessary to advert to the original institution of that assembly called a General or Grand Lodge. It was not then restricted, as it is now understood to be, to the Masters and Wardens of private Lodges, with the Grand Master and his wardens at their head ; it consisted of as many of the Fraternity at large, as, being within a convenient distance, could at- tend, once or twice in a year, under the auspices of one general head, who was elected and installed at one of these meetings ; and who, for the time being, received homage as the sole governor of the whole body. The idea of confining the privileges of Masonry, by a warrant of constitution, to certain individuals convened on certain days at certain places, had then no existence. There was but one family among Masons, and every Mason was a branch of that family. It is true, the privileges of the different degrees of the Order always cen- tred in certain members of the Fraternity ;. who, according to their advancement in the art, were authorized by the ancient charges to assemble in, hold, and rule Lodges, at their will and discretion, in such places as best suited their convenience, and when so assembled, to receive pupils and deliver instructions in the Art; but all the tribute from these individuals, separately and collectively, rested ultimately in the General Assembly, to which all the fraternity might repair, and to whose award all were bound to pay submission.
11 The excellent writer of the life of King Athelstane* has given so clear and so perfect a view of this event, that the reader cannot receive greater satisfaction than in that author's own words :
" The business of Edwin's death is a point the most obscure in the story of this king ; and to say the truth, not one even of our best his- torians hath written clearly, or with due attention, concerning it. The fact, as commonly received, is this : The king, suspecting his younger brother. Edwin, of designing to deprive him of his crown, caused him, notwithstanding his protestations of innocency, to be put on board a leaky ship, with his armour-bearer and page. The young prince, un- ible to bear the severity of the weather and want of food, desperately irowned himself. Some time after, the king's cup-bearer, who had been the chief cause of this act of cruelty, happened, as he was serving the king at table, to trip with one foot, but recovering himself with the other, ' See,' said he, pleasantly. ' how brothers afford each other help;' which striking the king with the remembrance of what himself had done, in taking off Edwin, who might have helped him in his wars, he caused that business to be more thoroughly examined ; and finding
* Biog. Brit., vol. 1., p. 63, 1st edit.
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' The activity and princely conduct of Edwin qualified him, in every respect, to preside over the Masons whc were employed under him in repairing and building many churches and superb edifices, which had been destroyed by the ravages of the Danes, and other invad- ers, not only in the city of York, but at Beverley, and other places.
On the death of Edwin, Athelstane undertook in person the direction of the Lodges ; and under his sanc- tion the art of Masonry was propagated in peace and security.
When Athelstane died, the Masons dispersed, and the Lodges continued in a very unsettled state till the reign
his brother had been falsely accused, caused his cup-bearer to be put to a cruel death, endured himself seven years' sharp penance, and built the two monasteries of Middleton and Michelnees, to atone for this base and bloody act."*
Dr. Howel, speaking of this story, treats it as if very indifferently founded, and, on .that account, unworthy of credit.f Simeon of Dur- ham and the Saxon Chronicle say no more than that Edwin was drowned by his brother's command in the year 933.J Brompton places it in the first, or, at farthest, in the second year of his reign : and he tells us the story of the rotten ship, and of his punishing the cup-bearer.§ William of Malmsbury. who is very circumstantial, says he only tells us what he heard :|j but Matthew the Flower-gatherer U stamps the whole down as an indubitable truth. Yet these discordui it dates are not to be accounted for. If he was drowned in the second he could not be alive in the tenth year of the king ; the first is the more probable date, because about that time there certainly was a conspiracy against King Athelstane, in order to dethrone him, and put out his eyes ; yet he did not put the author of it to death ; is it likely, then, that he should order his brother to be thrown into the sea upon bare suspicion ? But the reader must remember, that we cite the same historians who have told us this story to prove that Athelstane was unanimously acknowledged king, his brethren being too young to govern ; one would think, then, that they could not be old enough to sonspire. If we take the second date, the whole story is destroyed ; the king could not do seven years' penance, for he did not live so long ; and as for the tale of the cup-bearer, and his stumbling at the king's table, the same story is told of Earl Godwin, who murdered the bro- ther of Edward the Confessor. Lastly, nothing is clearer from his- tory, than that Athelstane was remarkably kind to his brothers and sisters, for whose sakes he lived single, and therefore his brother had less temptation to conspire against him.
* Speed's Chronicle, book vil., chap. 38.
t Gen. Hist., P. iv.. c. 2.. s. 10.
I Simeon Dunelm, p. 154. Chron. Saxon, p. 11L,
§ Chronicon.. p. 828.
1 De Guest, R. A. lib. ii.
1 Matth. Florileg.
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of Edgar in 960, when the Fraternity were again col- lected by St. Dunstan, under whose auspices they were employed on some pious structures ; but it does not appear that they met with any permanent encourage- ment.
After Edgar's death, Masonry remained in a low con- dition upwards of fifty years. In 1041, it revived under the patronage of Edward the Confessor, who superin- tended the execution of several great works. He rebuilt Westminster Abbey, assisted by Leofrick, Earl of Coven- try, whom he appointed to superintend the Masons. The Abbey of Coventry, and many other structures, were finished by this accomplished architect.
William the Conqueror having acquired the crown of England in 1066, he appointed Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, and Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrews- bury, joint patrons of the Masons, who at this time excelled both in civil and military architecture. Under their auspices the Fraternity were employed in building the Tower of London, which was completed in the reign of William Rufus, who rebuilt London Bridge with wood, and first constructed the palace and hall of Westminster in 1087.
On the accession of Henry I. the Lodges continued to assemble. From this prince, the first Magna Charta, or charter of liberties, was obtained by the Normans. Stephen succeeded Henry in 1135, and employed the Fraternity in building a chapel at Westminster, now the House of Commons, and several other works. These were finished under the direction of Gilbert de Clare, Marquis of Pembroke, who at this time presided over the Lodges.
During the reign of Henry II. the Grand Master of the Knights Templars superintended the Masons, and em- ployed them in building their Temple in Fleet street, A.D. 1155. Masonry continued under the patronage of this order till the year 1199, when John succeeded his brother Richard on the throne of England. Peter de Colechurch was then appointed Grand Master. He began to rebuild London Bridge with stone, which was after- wards finished by William Alcmain in 1209. Peter de Rupibus succeeded Peter de Colechurch in the office of Grand Master, and GeoiTrey Fitz-Peter, chief surveyoi
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of the king's works, acted as his deputy. Under the auspices of these two artists, Masonry flourished in England during the remainder of this and the following reign.