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Progress Of Masonry In
The South Of England From The
Reign Of Elizabeth To The Fire Of London In 1666
SECTION V
BOOK Iv - The History of Masonry in England
illustrations of masonry
william preston
The queen being assured that the fraternity were composed of
skilful architects, and lovers of the Arts, and that state affairs were points
in which they never interfered, was perfectly reconciled to their assemblies,
and masonry made a great progress at this period. During her reign, lodges were
held in different places of the kingdom, particularly in London, and its
environs, where the brethren increased considerably, and several great works
were carried on, under the auspices of Sir Thomas Gresham, from whom the
fraternity received every encouragement.
Charles Howard, earl of Essingham,
succeeded Sir Thomas in the office of Grand Master, and continued to preside
over the lodges in the fourth till the year 1588, when George Hastings, earl of
Huntingdon, was chosen, who remained in that office till the death of the queen
in 1603.
On the demise of Elizabeth, the crowns of England and Scotland were
united in here successor James VI. of Scotland, who was proclaimed king of
England, Scotland, and Ireland, on the 25th of March 1603. At this period,
masonry flourished in both kingdoms, and lodges were convened under the royal
patronage. Several gentlemen of fine taste returned from their travels, full of
laudable emulation to revive the old Roman and Grecian masonry. These ingenious
travellers brought home fragments of old columns, curious drawings, and books of
architecture. Among the number was the celebrated Inigo Jones, son of Inigo
Jones, a citizen of London, who was put apprentice to a joiner, and had a
natural taste for the art of designing. He was first renowned for his skill in
landscape painting, and was patronized by the learned William Herbert, afterward
earl of Pembroke. He made the tour of Italy at his lordship's expence, and
improved under some of the best disciples of the famous Andrea Palladio. On his
return to England, having laid aside the pencil and confined his study to
architecture, he became the Vitruvius of Britain, and the rival of
Palladio.
This celebrated artist was appointed general surveyor to king James
I. under whose auspices the science of masonry flourished. He was nominated
Grand Master of England, and was
deputized by his sovereign to preside over the lodges. During his
administration, several learned men were initiated into masonry, and the society
considerably increased in reputation and consequence. Ingenious artists daily
resorted to England, where they met with great encouragement. Lodges were
constituted as seminaries of instruction in the sciences and polite arts, after
the model of the Italian schools; the communications of the fraternity were
established, and the annual festivals regularly observed.
Many curious and
magnificent structures were finished under the direction of this accomplished
architect; and, among the rest, he was employed, by command of the sovereign, to
plan a new palace at Whitehall, worthy the residence of the kings of England,
which he accordingly executed; but for want of a parliamentary fund, no more of
the plan than the present Banqueting-house was ever finished. In 1607, the
foundation stone of this elegant piece of true masonry was laid by king James,
in presence of Grand Master Jones, and his wardens, William Herbert earl of
Pembroke, and Nicholas Stone esq. master-mason of England, who were attended by
many brothers, clothed in form, and other eminent persons, invited on the
occasion. The ceremony was conducted with the greatest pomp and splendor, and a
purse of broad pieces of gold laid upon the stone, to enable the masons to
regale. This building is said to contain the finest single room of its extent
since the days of Augustus, and was intended for the reception of ambassadors,
and other audiences of state. The whole is a regular and stately building, of
three stories; the lowest has a rustic wall, with small square windows, and by
its strength happily serves as a basis for the orders. Upon this is raised the
Ionic, with columns and pilasters; and between the columns, are
well-proportioned windows, with arched and pointed pediments: over these, is
placed the proper entablature: on which is raised a second series of the
Corinthian order, consisting of columns and pilasters, like the other, column
being placed over column, and pilaster over pilaster. From the capitals are
carried festoons, which meet with masks, and other ornaments, in the middle.
This series is also crowned with its proper entablature, on which is raised the
balustrade, with attic pedestals between, which crown the work. The whole is
finely proportioned, and happily executed. The projection of the columns from
the wall, has a fine effect in the entablatures; which being brought forward in
the same proportion, yields that happy diversity of light and shade so essential
to true architecture. The internal decorations are also striking. The cieling of
the grand room, in particular, which is now used as a chapel, is richly painted
by the celebrated Sir Peter Paul Rubens, who was ambassador in England in the
time of Charles I. The subject is, the entrance, inauguration, and coronation of
king James, represented by pagan emblems; and it is justly esteemed one of the
most capital performances of this eminent master. It has been pronounced one of
the finest cielings in the world.
Inigo Jones continued in the office of
Grand Master till the year 1618, when he was succeeded by the earl of Pembroke;
under whose auspices many eminent , wealthy, and learned men were initiated, and
the mysteries of the Order held in high estimation.
On the death of king
James in 1625, Charles ascended the throne. The earl of Pembroke presided over
the fraternity till 1630, when he resigned in favour of Henry Danvers, earl of
Danby; who was succeeded in 1633 by Thomas Howard, earl of Arundel, the
progenitor of the Norfolk family. In 1635, Francis Russel, earl of Bedford,
accepted the government of the society; but Inigo Jones having, with
indefatigable assiduity, continued to patronize the lodges during his lordship's
administration, he was re-elected the following year and continued in office
till his death in 1646.
The taste of this
celebrated architect was displayed in many curious and elegant structures, both
in London and the country; particularly in designing the magnificent row of
Great Queen-street, and the west side of Lincoln's Inn Fields, with
Lindsey-house in the centre; the late Chirurgions's hall and theatre, now
Barbers-hall, in Monkwell-street; Shaftesbury-house, late the London lying-in
hospital for married women, in Aldersgate-street; Bedford-house in
Bloomsbury-square; Berkley-house, Piccadilly, lately burnt, and rebuilt, now in
the possession of the duke of Devonshire; and York-stairs, at Thames, &c.
Beside these, he designed Gunnersbury-house near Brentford; Wilton-house in
Wiltshire; Castle-abbey in Northampton-shire; Stoke-park; part of the quadrangle
at St. John's, Oxford; Charlton-house, and Cobham-hall, in Kent; Coles-hill in
Berkshire; and the Grange, in Hampshire.
The breaking out of the civil wars
obstructed the progress of masonry in England for some time. After the
Restoration, however, it began to revive under the patronage of Charles II. who
had been received into the Order during his exile.
On the 27th December 1663, a general
assembly was held, at which Henry Jermyn, earl of St. Alban's, was elected Grand
Master; who appointed Sir John Denham knt. his deputy, and Mr. (afterwards Sir)
Christopher Wren, and John Webb his wardens.
Several useful regulations were made at this
assembly, for the better government of the lodges, and the greatest harmony
prevailed among the whole fraternity.
Thomas Savage, earl of Rivers, having
succeeded the earl of St. Alban's in the office of Grand Master in June 1666,
Sir Christopher Wren was appointed Deputy under his lordship, and distinguished
himself more than any of his predecessors in office, in promoting the prosperity
of the few lodges which occasionally met at this time; particularly the old
lodge of St. Paul's, now the lodge of
Antiquity, which he patronized upwards of 18 years. The honours which this
celebrated character afterwards received in the society, are evident proofs of
the unfeigned attachment of the fraternity toward him.
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