THE OLD CHARGES OF BRITISH FREEMASONS.
90
simply left out througli non-existence in the text cojncd from, some even of the English versions
It would not, I think, be possible to have more
not containing the complete sentence.
^
of these Scottish versions of our " Old Charges."
convincing proof of the English origin
Lodge of Edinburgh, D. Murray Lyon, commenting upon the
Tlie historian of the
"
ning
from
'
MS.
its
"
(16), says emphatically,
that
it
was a production of the
containing a charge in which 'every
liedgeman to
tlie
man
that
is
sister
a mason,'
is
kingdom
"
Kilwin-
is
evident
taken bound to be
king of England,' and also from that part of the legend which refers to
the introduction and spread of masonry in Britain being confined to the rehearsal of the
^
It uirj, indeed, be positively affirmed
patronage extended to the craft by English kings."
Masonic documents, which it is the design of this chapter
that every form or version of the
to classify
and
describe,
had
its origin
in South Britain.
"
Another peculiarity of the " Melrose text is its addition to the third of the special
"
Also that no M"' nor fellow supplant on other of his mark," which clause is
charges, viz.,
(though quite in accordance with the
not to be found elsewhere
"
Schaw Statutes
"
of
have already intimated, it varies so much from the other Scottish
it should not be classed with them, save as respects locality and
common features of agreement. In Scotland it is as notably sui generis as No. 8 (including
1598), and as
A.D.
I
forms, that as a version
32 and copies) is in England, both being curious examples of departure from what might
fairly be termed the accepted text.
with
"
its
teneat
The
further examination.
Lihrum ut
ille veil illi"
Latin instructions, in which "
"
"
York No. 4 (25), and
the York MSS. (No. 5 of
I have noticed the androgynous clause in the
oldest of
etc.,
but in No. 25 a translation
"
illc veil illi
appears as
"
is
will
now
this
series)
proceed
reads
given of the customary
"
7ice o?- sliee ;
illi
(they), having through
Taking the testimony of all the other MSS.,
but as a matter of fact, in No. 25 it reads he or she.
error or design been set aside for ilia (she).
the translation should read he or
theij,
Mackey, Hughan, and Lyon, believe the latter is a faulty translation, and nothing more;
but there are others (including the Eev. A. F. A. Woodford) who accept this document
as evidence of the admission of females into masonic fellowship, especially as so many
of the old guilds were composed of
women
recruited their ranks from both sexes
;
as well as men.^
Not one out
of a
hundred but
and even in guilds under the management of
priests,
such as the Brotherhood of "Corpus Christi" of York, begun 1408, lay members were
allowed (of some honest craft), without regard to sex, if " of good fame and conversation,"
the payments and privileges being the same for the " bretheren and sisteren." * Women
"
"
in the same manner as the men.
In 1348 the general assembly
of the Grocers' Company, held at "Einged Hall," Thames Street, agreed to certain "new
points," one being in favour of the admission of female members.^
were sworne upon a book
'
Still
another illustration of English influence
to the Melrose
MS.
"
:
I,
of our Lord 1581, and in
is
seen in the attestation of 15S1, during the minority of James VI.
John Wincester, his Master frie mason, have subscrib it my name and
the raing of our most Soveraing Lady Elizabeth the (22) Year."
-
Hi.story of the
'
Introduction to Smith's Guilds,
Lodge
sett
my mark in
tlic
,
Year
of Edinburgh, p. 108.
p.
xsx.
Rules and Regulations for the Fraternity of the Holy Trinity of St Michael's, Helston, 1517, " Yn ye name of
"
God, Amen," provide for the management of "The Fraternyte of the trynyte," consisting of qualified
Brydcryn and
*
Systyrn."
This was a Shoemakers' Guild, "jti ye Church of St Michael."
vol. i. p. 306.
"Amongst the ordinances of the Drapers' Company, 1505,
"Herbert's Companies of London,
,
is
i