THE COMPANIONAGE.
219
followed his example, after which, having removed the 'pilgrim's staff, the body was replaced
ill
the bier and lowered into the grave.
The elder descended beside it, the Companions
covering both with the pall, and after the former had given the ChdlWette^ he caused them to
hand him some bread, wine, and meat, which he deposited in the grave, and then retvirned to
the surface.
The Companions covered the grave with large stones, and sealed it with heavybars of iron
;
after
which they made a great
fire,
and threw
into
it
their torches
and
that
all
had been used during the obsequies of their master."
"
His raiment was preserved in a chest. At the destruction of the temples,^ the sons
M. Jacques separated and divided amongst them his clothing, which was thus distributed
of
:
"
His hat
to the hatters.
His tunic
to the stonemasons.
His sandals
to the locksmiths.
His cloak to the
His belt
His
joiners.
to the carpenters.
staff (bourdon) to the
wagonmakers."
"
After the division of the articles belonging to
Perdiguier then concludes as follows
Jacques, the act of faith was found which was pronounced by him on the day of his
:
]\I.
masters.
reception [as master, probably] before Solomon, Hiram, the high priest, and all the
This act of
Ill
faith, or
rather this prayer,
respect to Maitre Soubise,
we
is
very beautiful."
are afforded even less information than in the case of
^
Perdiguier remarks that he has been unable to find any document relating to him,
and that we must be content with the particulars furnished by the legend of Maitre Jacques.
to have some record
Judging by the legends of Hiram and Maitre Jacques, we might expect
of the tragic ending of Soubise, but if such existed, Perdiguier failed apparently in finding it.
As already stated, each of these masters, Solomon, Jacques, and Soubise, has been selected
and lockby the different crafts as chief patron, three of the trades—the stone-masons, joiners,
Solomon.
—being
divided in their allegiance between Solomon and Jacques, and the carpenters
Under one of these three banners each craft forms its own
between Solomon and Soubise.
smiths
fraternity, entirely
independent of
sister societies of the
same Devoir.
all
other crafts, and sometimes at open enmity with
This, however,
is
only a family quarrel, and gives
way
its
to
For instance, in the
firm alliance when a question arises
but enemies of their
family of Jacques we find the joiners friendly with the stonemasons,
friends the farriers; yet, they all unite as one man against the common foe, the Sons of
as between the various
divisions.
a general rule, the families of Jacques and Soubise are at variance
they love each other little, they hate Solomon more.
The fraternities which are thus formed are only open to journeymen, that
Solomon.
As
;
but although
is,
apprentices
This curious tenn will be hereafter exiilained, when the funeral ceremonies of the Companions are described.
This expression may refer either to the fate of the Knights Templars, or to the final overthrow of the old religion
As will presently appear, a connection between the Companionage and the Collegia is not beyond the
of the Empire.
The Templar theory will be duly examined at a later stage.
pale of credibility.
1
2
2
The
use of the
word document strengthens the conclusion
I
have already advanced.