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History Of Masonry In
The South Of England From 1471
To 1567
SECTION Iv
BOOK Iv - The History of Masonry in England
illustrations of masonry
william preston
Masonry continued to flourish in England till the peace of the
kingdom was interrupted by the civil wars between the two royal houses of York
and Lancaster; during which it fell into an almost total neglect, that continued
till 1471, when it again revived under the auspices of Richard Beauchamp, bishop
of Sarum; who had been appointed Grand Master by Edward IV. and had been
honoured with the title of chancellor of the garter, for repairing the castle
and chapel of Windsor.
During the short reigns of Edward V. and Richard III.
masonry was on the decline; but on the accession of Henry VII. A. D. 1485, it
rose again into esteem, under the patronage of the Master and fellows of the
order of St. John at Rhodes, (now Malta,) who assembled their grand lodge in
1500, and chose Henry their protector. Under the royal auspices the fraternity
once more revived their assemblies, and masonry resumed its pristine
splendor.
On the 24th of June 1502, a lodge of masters was formed in the
palace, at which the king presided in person as Grand Master; and having
appointed John Islip, abbot of Westminster, and Sir Reginald Bray, knight of the
garter, his wardens for the occasion, proceeded in ample form to the east end of
Westminster Abbey, where he laid the foundation stone of that rich masterpiece
of Gothic architecture, known by the name of Henry the seventh's chapel. This
chapel is supported by fourteen Gothic buttresses, all beautifully ornamented,
and projecting from the building in different angles; it is enlightened by a
double range of windows, which throw the light into such a happy disposition, as
at once to please the eye, and afford a kind of solemn gloom. These buttresses
extend to the roof, and are made to strengthen it, by being crowned with Gothic
arches. The entrance is from the east end of the abbey, by a flight of black
marble steps, under a noble arch, leading to the body of the chapel. The gates
are of brass. The stalls on each side are of oak, as are also the seats, and the
pavement is black and white marble. The capestone of this building was
celebrated in 1507.
Under the direction of Sir Reginald Bray, the palace of
Richmond was afterwards built, and many other stately works. Brazen-nose
college, Oxford, and Jesus and St. Jon's colleges, Cambridge, were all finished
in this reign.
Henry VIII. succeeded his father in 1509, and appointed
cardinal Wolsey, Grand Master. This prelate built Hampton court, Whitehall,
Christ church college, Oxford, and several other noble edifices; all of which,
upon his disgrace, were forfeited to the crown, A. D. 1530. Thomas Cromwell,
earl of Essex, succeeded the cardinal in the office of Grand Master; and
employed the fraternity in building St. James's palace, Christ's hospital, and
Greenwich castle. In 1534, the king and parliament threw off allegiance to the
pope of Rome, and the King being declared supreme head of the church, no less
than 926 pious houses were suppressed; many of which were afterwards converted
into stately mansions for the nobility and gentry. Under the direction of John
Touchet lord Audley, who, on Cromwell's being beheaded in 1540, had succeeded to
the office of Grand Master, the fraternity were employed in building Magdalene
college, Cambridge, and several other structures.
Edward VI. a minor,
succeeded to the throne in 1547, and his guardian and regent, Edward Seymour,
duke of Somerset, undertook the management of the masons, and built Somerset
house in the Strand; which, on his being beheaded, was forfeited to the crown in
1552. John Poynet, bishop of Winchester, then became the patron of the
fraternity, and presided over the lodges till the death of the king in
1553.
The masons remained without any nominal patron till the reign of
Elizabeth, when Sir Thomas Sackville accepted the office of Grand Master. Lodges
were held, during this period, in different parts of England; but the General or
Grand Lodge assembled in York, where the fraternity were numerous and
respectable.
The following circumstance is recorded of Elizabeth: Hearing
that the masons were in possession of secrets which they would not reveal, and
being jealous of all secret assemblies, she sent an armed force to York, with
intent to break up their annual grand lodge.
This design, however, was happily frustrated by the interposition of Sir Thomas
Sackville; who took care to initiate some of the chief officers which she had
sent on this duty. They joined in communication with the masons, and made so
favourable a report to the queen on their return, that she countermanded her
orders, and never afterwards attempted to disturb the meetings of the
fraternity.
Sir Thomas Sackville held the office of Grand Master till 1567,
when he resigned in favour of Francis Russel, earl of Bedford, and Sir Thomas
Gresham, an eminent merchant, distinguished
by his abilities, and great success in trade. To the former, the care of the
brethren in the northern part of the kingdom was assigned, while the latter was
appointed to superintended the meetings in the south, where the society had
considerably increased, in consequence of the honourable report which had been
made to the queen. Notwithstanding this new appointment of a Grand Master for
the fourth, the General Assembly continued to meet in the city of York as
heretofore, where all the records were kept; and to this assembly, appeals were
made on every important occasion.
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