THE COMPANIONAGE.
232
It
Companionage contained in tlie third document, I have only given a portion.
be observed with some amusement, that not the least crime of the Companions, in the
estimation of the theological faculty, was the fact tliat these ceremonies were
actually practised
the
w
ill
It is also curious, that
by Eoman Catholics in the presence of heretics and vice versa.
the charcoal-makers and others likewise divulged their rites,^ these are not referred to
although
!
in the
documents of
wliicli I
now
present a translation.
EEVELATIONS,
L— SUMMAIIY
No.
Etc.
OF THE IMPIOUS, SACEILEGIOUS, AND SUPERSTITIOUS
PRACTICES
—
WHICH TAKE PLACE AMONGST THE COMPANIONS SaDDLERS, ShOEMAKEES, TaILOES, CuTLERS,
AND Hatters when they admit one, a Companion of the Charge (du devoir) as
THEY CALL
IT.
This pretended charge of a Companion consists of three precepts
tion of the master's welfare,
—Honour
to God, preservaon the contrary, the
But,
the mysteries of our religion, ruin the
and maintenance of the Companions.
Companions dishonour God greatly by profaning all
masters by emptying their shops of assistants whenever any one of their cabal complains of
having received insult (bravade), and ruin themselves by the offences against the charge which
they make one another pay for the fines being employed in procuring drink besides which
—
;
the Companionage is of no service for attaining the mastership.
They have amongst themselves a jurisdiction elect officers, a provost, a lieutenant, a secretary {greffier), and a sergeant
maintain correspondence in all towns, and possess a watchword (mot de guet), by which they
;
;
and form everywhere an offensive league
recognise each other, and which they keep secret
against the apprentices of their trade wlio are not of tlieir cabal, beating and maltreating them,
;
and
soliciting
commit
less,
in
much
them
to enter into
them vary according
passing
in
common
:
The
their society.
the
to
in the first place, to cause
swear on the Gospels that he will not reveal
nor clerk, not even in