THE BLUE BLANKET
Bro. Watson is a member of the Lodge of Journeymen Masons No. 8 Lodge
Elgin and Bruce No. 1077 Southern California Lodge of Research He also authored
the 4-93 STB 'Lodge of Journeyman Masons #8'
WEBMASTER' S NOTE:
Please look at the bottom of the page for a message from the Historian to the
Convenery of the Trades of Edinburgh and one of the official custodians of the
Blue Blanket regarding some misinformation about this article.
The 'Blue Blanket' is a Scottish Craft banner of great antiquity about which
several books and articles have been written. Most, if not all, of those
histories (including my own lodge history) contain many inaccuracies due to the
fact that the main reference used has been Alexander Pennecuik's history of "The
Blue Blanket". Unfortunately, several Masonic encyclopedias have also used this
as a source for reference.
The 'story of the 'Blue Blanket' has become almost a myth in Edinburgh. The
true story of the 'Blue Blanket' is so interesting it is not necessary to
embellish it with fiction.
The 'Blue Blanket' is not mentioned by any historian prior to 1482 but
Pennecuik states that it is "highly probable" that the origin of the 'Blue
Blanket' dates back to the first Crusade (1096-1099).
The story goes that a number of Scottish craftsmen rallied to the Christian
cause and as a sign of recognition they carried with them a banner which they
hoped to plant on the walls of Jerusalem. This banner was supposed to carry the
inscription "In thy good pleasure build thou the walls of Jerusalem" from Psalm
51.
The banner, at this time, was reputedly called 'The Banner of the Holy Ghost'
and those who served under it 'The Knights of the Holy Ghost'.
In his book Pennecuik quotes some vague French references. He also writes
about Pope Urban 11 and King William I of Scotland as contemporaries which they
could not possibly have been--the former died in 1099 while the latter was born
in 1143. It is possible that he has mistaken King William 11 of England for King
William I of Scotland. In addition he states that on their return from the
Crusade "they...dedicated this Banner...to St. Eloi in St. Giles' Church in
Edinburgh". The chapel of St. Eloi (patron saint of the Hammermen of Edinburgh),
situated in St. Giles' Church, was not built until several centuries
later--about the beginning of the 15th century.
The most likely date of the origin of the 'Blue Blanket' was in 1482. King
James 111 of Scotland appointed several commoner friends to positions of title
and trust. Among those friends was one Robert Cochrane on whom he conferred the
titles of 'The Earl of Mar' and 'Secretary of State'. Cochrane was already the
King's Master Mason and was, possibly, the architect of the Great Hall in
Stirling Castle.
These elevations in rank incensed the nobility since they were of the opinion
that no man of such low birth should ever be given a title--no matter how much
he deserved it. In July 1482 King James 111 assembled his army on the Burgh
Muir--at that time a large expanse of countryside outside of Edinburgh but now
an area within the city boundary. When the army reached Lauder--a small town
south of Edinburgh--the nobles (led by Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus)
rebelled and seized Cochrane and several others. They hanged Cochrane and the
others at Lauder Bridge and, thereafter, imprisoned the King in Edinburgh
Castle. The King was held under the supervision of two of his uncles--the Earl
of Athol and the Earl of Buchan.
The country was in great turmoil and was in conflict with the English who
were looking for recompense over the payment of the dowry of the King of
England's (Edward IV) daughter, Lady Cecily. The English had marched an army of
10,000 men, led by the Duke of Gloucester (later King Richard 111) and were
camped on the Burgh Muir.
The Queen sought help from Provost William Bertraham. The Provost and the
community took to repay the dowry which amounted to the sum of 6,000 marks (the
mark was an ancient form of money in Scotland). This act stopped the threat of
attack by the English.
Bertraham then rallied the craftsmen who approached the steward of the castle
and the King was set free. King James 111 rewarded the city with many honours.
The list of privileges and honours was called the 'Golden Charter'.
The craftsmen were given a banner by the King which the Queen, personally,
inscribed with a Saltire (St. Andrew's Cross), a thistle, an imperial crown and
a hammer as well as the following words: "Fear God and honour ye King with a
long Iyffe and prosperous reign and we shall ever pray to be faithful for ye
defence of his sacred Majesty's royal person till death". The King decreed that
the banner should be called the 'Standard of the Crafts Within the Burgh'. This
banner was one of the first to use the thistle as a symbol of Scotland.
The banner affectionately became known as the 'Blue Blanket' from its
background colour which reflects the background of the Scottish flag.
The Hammemmen of Edinburgh were the guardians of this craft banner. The
Hammemmen Guild included the crafts of blacksmiths, goldsmiths, lorimers,
saddlers, cutlers, bucklemakers, armourers amongst others. The Hammermen's seal
included an effigy of Saint Eloi. According to the first charter of the
Hammemmen each applicant for membership was examined by the Deacon and Masters
of their respective craft to determine their worthiness.
In 1496 the Hammermen received a grant of the chapel of St. Eloi in St.
Giles' Church and hung the 'Blue Blanket' there. They were to pay 40 shillings
for the care and upkeep of the altar and its priest.
Any member found guilty of a breach of the laws of the charter was fined
eight Scots shillings which went toward the support of the Corporation's altar
of Saint Eloi in the Church of Saint Giles.
One of the worst defeats ever inflicted on a Scottish army happened during
the summer of 1513. King James IV of Scotland declared war on England and, like
James 111, assembled his army on the Burgh Muir. It is probable that the army
was 50,000 strong (although estimates as high as 100,000 have been suggested)
with another 10,000 men joining it as it headed south into England.
According to tradition Provost Alexander Lauder of Blyth led the burghers and
craftsmen out of the city by the West Bow (west town gate) to assemble, with the
rest of the King's army, on the Burgh Muir. These craftsmen carried the 'Blue
Blanket' with them to Flodden in the north of England.
The battle of Flodden was a disaster for the Scots. However, unlike many of
the Scottish banners at Flodden the 'Blue Blanket' survived and was returned to
Edinburgh.
King James VI (I of England) had cause to criticize the craftsmen's work. The
craftsmen displayed the 'Blue Blanket' to remind him that he had no divine right
to do so. King James VI wrote in his 'Basilikon Doron' or 'Book of Instruction'
to his son, Prince Henry: "They think we should be content with their work, how
bad and dear soever it may be; and if they be in anything controuled, up goeth
the Blue Blanket".
The protestant faith had made the people of Edinburgh more aware of their
rights and the lower classes of society became a formidable force.
The 'Blue Blanket' is held in the care of the Deacon Convener of Trades.
During the mid 1 8th century the banner was displayed every time the Deacon
Convener and his court sat in judgment in any craft dispute.
Over the centuries several 'Blue Blankets' have been made. The original
banner was 10 feet 2 inches long by 6 feet 6 inches wide.
The Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, claim they have one of those 'Blue
Blankets' but I believe it is a copy of the Lodge of Joumeymen Masons banner
since we have an identical one in our lodge rooms.
The only 'Blue Blanket' I know of is a 17th century replica in the Trades
Maiden Hospital, Edinburgh. This is displayed in a beautifully carved frame
which was presented by three members of the Lodge of Joumeymen Masons No. 8 who
emigrated to California in 1870.
The Lodge of Joumeymen Masons holds the right to carry the 'Blue Blanket'
since it is the oldest operative lodge in the City of Edinburgh. As all the
Crafts were included in the Incorporation of Hammermen, which was responsible
for the banner, it was fitting that the Blue Blanket be entrusted to the
representatives of one of the constituent crafts.
The Lodge of Joumeymen Masons No. 8 has carried the banner on four occasions
at the laying of foundation stones:
1. The old Grand Lodge Hall on the 24th June 1858. On this occasion the Blue
Blanket was presented, in the grounds of Holyrood Palace, to the Lodge of
Journeymen Masons No. 8 by the Deacon Convener of Trades in the presence of four
thousand Masons.
2. The Wallace Monument, Stirling on the 24th June 1861.
3. The new Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh on the 4th July 1867.
4. The Duke of Athol's Memorial Logieriat, Perthshire on the 10th August 1
868.
The Blue Blanket is the motif displayed on the tie of The Lodge of Joumeymen
Masons No. 8 and holds a special place in the hearts of the brethren from that
famous lodge.
WEBMASTER"S NOTE
The following is an email I received regarding the
Blue Blanket. As the above article is a Short Talk Bulleting published not
by me, I will not/can not make any corrections.
Dear Mr. Sanchez,
I am writing to you after reading your website page
about the Blue Blanket.
I should explain that, as Hon. Historian to the Convenery
of the Trades of Edinburgh, I am one of the official custodians of the Blue
Blanket, which we keep at our headquarters at Ashfield, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
I notice that you still appear to be accepting as absolute
fact quite a number of things for which I do not think that there is any
historical evidence. The James III's Golden Charter to the City of Edinburgh
does not mention the Blue Blanket at all, nor does any other contemporary
document that I know of.
The earliest mention of the Blue Blanket in writing appears
to be the Charter by the Regent Arran in 1543. That does not necessarily mean
that it may not be older, but the traditions about its prior origin are not
backed up by any documentary evidence.
According to the textile boffins here in Scotland, the
present Blue Blanket is probably no older than the third quarter of the
seventeenth century. It is likely to have been renewed more than once in its
existence. Indeed the Convenery has just had a new one made (in a smaller size)
that can be carried in processions, etc. The old one is now very fragile and the
silk is disintegrating; it is too delicate to be removed from its case.
In a year's time (August 2012) we are going to hold an
exhibition at Ashfield, which will include the Blue Blankets, old and new,
together with a concise history of whatever else I can find out about it.
I should mention that there are two other old flags which
are also "blue blankets" of a sort: There is one (in the National Museum of
Scotland) which is only a fragment of something larger. The other, which I have
not yet seen, is apparently the one with Masonic connections which was carried
at the laying of foundation stones in the 19th century.
I would be very interested in any early hard evidence that
you can point me to with regard to the possible existence of the Blue Blanket
before 1543.
Yours sincerely,
Henry
CONTACT DETAILS:
Henry Steuart Fothringham, O.B.E.
The Lagg
ABERFELDY
Perthshire
PH15 2EE
e-mail:
henryfoth@hotmail.co.uk
back to top
| 
