The Old Rules of the Grand Lodge at York, 1725, as transcribed from the original, written on parchment, were as follows:
“Articles agreed to be kept and observed by the Antient Society of Freemasons in the City of York, and to be subscribed by every Member thereof at their Admittance into the said Society.
Imprimis. – That every first Wednesday in the mouth a Lodge shall be held at the house of a Brother according as their turn shall fall out.
2.-All Subscribers to these Articles not appearing at the monthly Lodge, shall forfeit Sixpence each time.
3. -If any Brother appear at a Lodge that is not a Subscriber to these Articles, he shall pay over and above his club [i.e., subscription] the sum of one Shilling.
4.-The Bowl shall be filled at the monthly Lodges with Punch once, Ale, Bread, Cheese, and Tobacco in common, but if any more shall be called for by any Brother, either for eating or drinking, that Brother so calling shall pay for it himself besides his club.
5.-The Master or Deputy shall be obliged to call for a Bill exactly at ten O’Clock, if they meet in the evening, and discharge it.
6.-None to be admitted to the making of a Brother but such as have subscribed to these Articles.
7.-Timely notice shall be given to all the Subscribers when a Brother or Brothers are to be made.
8.-Any Brother or Brothers presuming to call a Lodge with a design to make a Mason or Masons, without the Master or Deputy, or one of them deputed, for every such offence shall forfeit the sum of Five Pounds.
9.-Any Brother that shall interrupt the Examination of a Brother shall forfeit one Shilling.
10.-Clerk’s Salary for keeping the Books and Accounts shall be one Shilling, to be paid him by each Brother at his admittance, and at each of the two Grand days he shall receive such gratuity as the Company [i.e., those present] shall think proper.
11-A Steward to be chose for keeping the Stock at the Grand Lodge, at Christmas, and the Accounts to be passed three days after each Lodge.
12.-If any disputes arise, the Master shall silence them by a knock of the Mallet, any Brother that shall presume to disobey shall immediately be obliged to leave the Company, or forfeit five Shillings.
13.-An Hour shall be set apart to talk Masonry.
14.-No person shall be admitted into the Lodge but after having been strictly examined.
15.-No more persons shall be admitted as Brothers of this Society that shall keep a Public House.
16.-That these Articles, shall at Lodges be laid upon the Table, to be perused by the Members, and also when any new Brothers are made, the Clerk shall publicly read them.
17.-Every new Brother at his admittance shall pay the Wait[er]s as their Salary, the sum of two Shillings, the money to be lodged in the Steward’s hands, and paid to them at each of the Grand days.
18.-The Bidder of the Society shall receive of each new Brother at his admittance the sum of one Shilling as his Salary [see Rule 71.
19.-No Money shall be expended out of the Stock after the hour of ten, as in the fifth Article.”
These Laws were signed by “Ed. Bell, Master,” and 87 Members, and though not unusual in character for the period, they are worthy of reproduction as the earliest regulations known, of the Old Grand Lodge at York.
It is much to be regretted that the “narrow folio manuscript Book, beginning 7th March 1705-6, containing sundry Accounts and Minutes relative to the Grand Lodge,” (A Schedule of the Regalia, Records, etc., dated September 15, 1779, will be found in Hughan’s ” Masonic Sketches,” p. 20, et seq.) is still missing, all the efforts of those most interested in the discovery having so far proved abortive. With that valuable document available to us, it would be easier to obtain clues to several puzzles which present themselves to us. Its contents were known in 1778, as the following letter proves, this having been sent by the then Grand Secretary (York) to Mr B. Bradley, of London 2 (J. W. of the ” Lodge of Antiquity”), in order to satisfy him and Mr William Preston (P. M. of the same old lodge and author of the famous Illustrations of Masonry of the existence of the ancient Grand Lodge at York before the year 1717.
“Sir,-In compliance with your request to be satisfied of the existence of a Grand Lodge at York previous to the establishment of that at London I have inspected an Original Minute Book of this Grand Lodge beginning at 1705 and ending in 1734 from which I have extracted the names of the Grand Masters during that period as follows:
1705 Sir George Tempest Barronet.
1707 The Right Honourable Robert Benson Lord Mayor of York.
1708 Sir William Robinson Bart.
1711 Sir Walter Hawksworth Bart.
1713 Sir George Tempest Bart.
1714 Charles Fairfax Esqr.
1720 Sir Walter Hawkesworth Bart.
1725 Edward Bell Esqr.
1726 Charles Bathurst Esq.
1729 Edward Thompson Esq. M.P.
1733 John Johnson Esq. M.D.
1734 John Marsden Esqr.
It can be seen that during the above period the Grand Lodge was not holden twice together at the same house and there is an Instance of its being holden once in 1713 out of York, viz., at Bradford in Yorkshire when 18 Gentlemen of the first families in that Neighbourhood were made Masons.
In short, the superior antiquity of the Grand Lodge of York to all other Lodges in the Kingdom will not admit a Doubt an the Books which treat on the subject agree that it was founded so early as the year 926, and that in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth it was so numerous that mistaking the purport Of their Meeting she was at the trouble of sending an armed Force to dislodge the Brethren, it appears by the Lodge Books since that Time that this Lodge has been regularly continued and particularly by the Book above extracted that it was in being early in the present Century previous to the Era of the Aggrandized Lodge of London and that it now exists even the Compilers of the Masons Almanack published under the sanction of that Lodge cannot but acknowledge tho they accompany such their acknowledgement with an invidious and unmasonic Prophecy that it will be soon totally annihilated-an event which we trust that no man nor sett of men who are mean enough to wish, shall ever live to see.
“I have intimated to this Lodge what passed between us of your Intention to apply for a Constitution under it and have the satisfaction to inform you that it met with universal Approbation. You will therefore be pleased to furnish me with a petition to be presented for the purpose specifying the Names of the Brethren to be appointed to the several Offices, and I make no Doubt that the Matter will be speedily accomplished.
“My best Respects attends Brother Preston whom I expect you will make acquainted with the purport of this and hope it will be agreeable to him. I am with true Regard
Your most faithful Brother and Obedient Servant
JACOB BUSSEY, G.S.
“To Mr. Benjam. Bradley, No. 3 elements Lane Lombard Street London.
“York, 29th August 1778.”
Presuming that the year in each case means the period of service and that the election or installation took place on the celebration of the (immediately) preceding Festival of St John the Evangelist, that would really take the Register back to December 1704; when Sir George Tempest, Bart., was chosen to be the President. succeeded in 1707 by the Right Hon. Robert Benson, Lord Mayor of York (afterwards Baron Bingley); after whom came Sir William Robinson, Bart., for 1708 (M.P. for York, 1713); followed by other local prominent figures, down to the year 1734. It is clear that a large proportion of the Masons at York were Lord Mayors, Aldermen and Sheriffs a practice which later continued. Admiral Robert Fairfax, the Deputy President at Christmas 1721, was Lord Mayor in 1715 and M.P. in 1713 and other instances might be cited of the distinguished social position of these early rulers of the York Fraternity.
Dr Bell, of Hull, in his publication “Stream of English Freemasonry” informs that the tenure of office of the successive Presidents lasted from the years opposite their own names, until the dates placed by the same authority against those of their successors.
For 1713 Bell gives Sir Walter Hawkesworth instead of Sir George Tempest as the President. Dr Bell bestows the title of President on Charles Bathurst for the year 1724, and “Edmund Bell or William Scourfield ” Esquires for 1725. Charles Bathurst was not initiated until July 21, 1725, unless, indeed, the office was held by his father, which was quite possible; if so, the elder Bathurst died during his year of office and was succeeded by his son on December 27, 1725. So far as can now be known, ” George Bowes, Esq.,” who was Deputy President on March 19, 1712, and August 7, 1713, was as much entitled to be described as President as either of the three gentlemen already mentioned. Another Grand Master “of the Grand Lodge of all England at York,” has been found, thus proving the incomplete character of the list of Masonic dignitaries supplied by the Grand Secretary of 1778.
An old copy of “Debrett” contains a statement that the first baronet of the Milner family was Grand Master of Freemasons in England. It is known that he had been ‘made’ a Mason at York and also that he had not been Grand Master of either of the Southern Bodies and it has also been ascertained that the first baronet was Grand Master at York in 1728-9.
In a manuscript, work in four volumes in the Leeds Library, entitled, ‘A Collection of Coats of Arms and Descents of the Several Families of the West Riding’, is the following entry, under the name of Sir W. Milner: ‘On St John Baptist Day, 1728, at York, he was elected Grand Master of the Freemasons in England, being the 798 successor from Edwin the Great.’ This is an interesting addition to the list of the York Grand Masters.”
Sir W. Milner was initiated on February 4, 1725-6, the present baronet, Sir F. G. Milner, M. P. for York, being ‘his great-great-great-grandson” the latter having been installed as W.M. of the “Eboracum Lodge,” No. 1611, York, on November 10, 1884.
It is noted that the subsequent Grand Master, “Edward Thompson, Junior, of Marston, Esq.,” was elected and installed at a ‘ St John’s Lodge,” held on June 24, 1729.
The Lodge was held at Bradford by the York Brethren, when some eighteen gentlemen were made Masons. No mention is made of the Lodge held at Scarborough in 1705, under the presidency of William Thompson, Esq., though that it assembled under the banner of the old Lodge at York.
It appears therefore that the revival of Masonry in the South of England did not interfere with the proceedings of the fraternity in the North; nor did that event taking place alienate any allegiance that might be due to the General Assembly or Grand Lodge there. This seems to have been considered at that time and long after, as the Mother Lodge of the whole Kingdom. For a series of years, the most perfect harmony subsisted between the two Grand Lodges and private Lodges flourished in both parts of the Kingdom under their separate jurisdiction. The only mark of superiority which the Grand Lodge in the North appears to have retained after the revival of Masonry in the South, is in the title which was adopted, viz., The Grand Lodge of all England, TOTIUS ANGLIA; while the organization in the South passed only under the denomination and self styled ‘The Grand Lodge of England.”
Adherent of the Mother Northern Grand Lodge announced that; “To be ranked as descendants of the original York Masons was the glory and boast of the Brethren in almost every country where Masonry was established; and from the prevalence and universality of the idea that York was the place where Masonry was first established by Charter, the Masons of England have received tribute from the first States in Europe.”
It seems that the breach between the two Grand Lodges; London and York arose when a few York Brethren having, on some previous occasion, withdrawn from their ancient Lodge, applied to London for a Warrant of Constitution and without any inquiry into the merits of the case, their application was honoured. Instead of being recommended to the Mother Lodge, to be restored to favour, these Brethren were thereby encouraged to revolt and in open defiance of an established authority, permitted, under the banner of the “Grand Lodge” at London, to open a new Lodge in the city of York itself. This illegal extension of power and encroachment on the privileges of Antient Masonry, gave the highest offence to the Grand Lodge at York and occasioned a breach. A second “breach” is understood to be due to the encroachment of the Earl of Crawford on the “Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Masons in the City of York, by constituting two Lodges within their district, and by granting without their consent, three Deputations, one for Lancashire, a second for Durham, and a third for Northumberland. This circumstance the Grand Lodge at York at that time highly resented. All friendly correspondence was dropped. Yet another potential cause of unpleasantness was caused by the granting in 1738 of a Patent to the Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire, by the Marquis of Carnarvon, which it seems to have so troubled the minds of the York Brethren, that all correspondence between the two Grand Lodges ceased.
The “Book of Constitutions,” 1738, of the London organization contains the following reference to the Old York Grand.
“All these foreign Lodges are under the Patronage of our Grand Master of England.
But the old Lodge at YORK City, and the Lodges Of SCOTLAND, IRELAND, FRANCE, and ITALY, affecting Independency, are under their own Grand Masters, tho’ they have the same Constitutions Charges, Regulations, &c., for Substance, with their Brethren of England.”
Dr Fifield Dassigny in 1744, especially the note, “I am informed in that city is held an Assembly of Master Masons, under the title of Royal Arch Masons”.
That the first Assembly of English Freemasonry flourished at York many years anterior to the inauguration of the “Assembly” of Masons at London, cannot be doubted.
“A Charge delivered to the most Antient and honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, in a Lodge held at the Punch-Bowl, in Stonegate, York, upon Friday the 18th of January 1762, by Bro. Frodsham, at his demission of the chair.”
On the opening day at the “Punch Bowl” there were eight members present and the same number of visitors. Great zeal was manifested by the petitioners and the brethren generally, several meetings being held from 1761 to 1763; but I do not think they met as a lodge after January 1764. Malby Beckwith, the new Master, who was placed in the chair on January 18, 1762, was duly addressed by the retiring W.M. Bro. Frodsham, and by request of the members the charge was printed and published, going through more than one edition. It is noted that; “. . . as Bro. Seth Agar, the W.M. (from Jan. 3,1763), soon afterwards became Grand Master of all England.”
The following is a full account of the revival, from the actual records:
“The Antient and independent Constitution of Free and Accepted Masons Belonging to the City of York, was this Seventeenth day of March, in the year of our Lord 1761, Revived by six of the surviving members of the Fraternity by the Grand Lodge being opened, and held at the House of Mr Henry Howard, in Lendall, in the said City, by them and others hereinafter named. When and where it was further agreed on, that it should be continued and held there only the Second and Last Monday in every mouth.
Present
Grand Master, Brother Francis Drake, Esq., F.R.S.
Deputy G.M., George Reynoldson.
Grand Wardens, George Coates and Thomas Mason.
Together with Brothers Christopher Coulton and Martin Crofts.
Visiting Brethren.
Tasker, Leng, Swetnam, Malby Beckwith, Frodsham, Fitzmaurice, Granger, Crisp, Oram, Burton, and Howard.
Minutes of the Transactions and Opening of the Grand Lodge of All England:
Brother John Tasker was by the Grand Master, and the rest of the Brethren, unanimously appointed Grand Secretary and Treasurer. He having first petitioned to become a member, and being approved and accepted nem. con. (no-one disagreeing)
“Brother Henry Howard also petitioned to be admitted a member, who was accordingly balloted for and approved nem. con.
“Mr Charles Chaloner, Mr Seth Agar, George Palmes, Esq., Mr Ambrose Beckwith, and Mr William Siddall, petitioned to be made Brethren the first opportunity, who being severally balloted for, were all approved nem. con.
“This Lodge was closed till Monday, the 23rd day of this instant March, unless in case of Emergency.”
Several of the visitors mentioned were members of the Lodge assembling at the Punch Bowl and the fact of their being present in such a capacity is sufficient proof that the Mother Grand Lodge of English Freemasonry at York and the London organisation Lodges were on terms of amity, especially emphasised by the friendly action of the Premier Grand Lodge at York later on, about which a few words have presently to be said.
A noticeable feature of this record is that the Grand Master, Deputy, and Wardens occupied their positions as if holding them of inherent right, the only Brother elected to office being the Grand Secretary, who was also the Grand Treasurer. We think, therefore, that Francis Drake and his principal officers must have acted in their several capacities prior to the dormancy of 1740-50.
The five candidates proposed on March 17 were initiated on May 11, 1761; mention is also made of a Brother being raised to the degree of a master mason on May 23, and apprentices were duly passed as Fellow Crafts.
The “volume of the Sacred Law,” which it is believed was used at the meetings, is in the safe-keeping of the Eboracum Lodge No. 1611, and is inscribed “This Bible belongs to the Free Mason’s Lodge at Mr Howard’s at York, 1761. “
The fees for the three degrees and membership amounted to £2, 16s., which sum, excused the brother from any further expense during Lodge hours for that Quarter, supper and drink out of and Glasses broke in the Lodge only excepted” The quarterage was fixed at six shillings and sixpence, “except as above” Candidates were only eligible for initiation on a unanimous ballot, but joining members, “regularly made masons in another Lodge,” were elected if there were not more than two adverse votes; the fee for the latter election being half a guinea. Careful provisions were laid down for the guidance of the officers in the event of brethren seeking admission who were unable to prove their “regularity” It was ordered on July 15, 1777, that when a Constitution is granted to any place, the Brother who petitioned for such shall pay the fees charged thereon upon delivery; ” and on Nov. 20, 1778, the members resolved “that the Grand Master of All England be on all occasions as such styled and addressed by the Title of Most Worshipful, and the Masters of an Lodges under the Constitution of this Grand Lodge by the Title of Right Worshipful” The secretary’s salary was fixed at ten guineas per annum, from Dec. 27, 1779, and the Treasurer was required, to execute his Bond in the Penal sum of one hundred pounds” The fee for certificates was fixed at six shillings each, ” always paid on delivery!’ Unless in cases of emergency two degrees were not allowed to be conferred in one evening, and separate Ballot shall be made to each degree distinct”.
We now approach an important innovation on the part of the York Grand Lodge, no leas than the granting of warrants for subordinate lodges. The meetings of the Old Grand lodge at York, held out of that city, appear to have led to the creation of separate lodges, such as Bradford in 1713 and elsewhere. On this point it is impossible to speak with precision; it cannot be positively affirmed they did not.
Charters were granted for subordinate lodges by the Grand Lodge of All England, until after 1761. Prior to that date, indeed, it is quite possible that frequent meetings were held by the Premier Grand Lodge at York, in neighbouring towns.
There is no proof that the Grand Lodge of All England sided actively with either of the two new “Grand Lodges,” formed respectively in 1723 and 1753. Passively, indeed, its sympathies would appear to have been with the older organisation, and though it ultimately struck up an alliance with the Lodge of Antiquity, in so doing a blow was aimed at the pretensions of both the new organizations claiming jurisdiction in the south.
The Premier Grand Lodge at York stated in 1773 – “It is not customary for this Lodge to prefix a number to the Constitutions granted by it”.
From 1762 to 1768, The Turks Head Lodge under the constitution of the Premier Grand Lodge of All England at York met at the Turks Head in the market square. There were other subordinate lodges in this district. One at Hovingham (warranted in 1773). Another at Snainton (warranted in 1778), which met at the New Inn, now known as the “Coachman”. In 1779 the jewels of the Turks Head Lodge, originally the property of the “Scarsborg” Lodge, consisting of Gold Compasses, Silver Square and Level were freely given to the Grand Lodge of York by a Bro. Steel, who claimed to be the last survivor of eighty brethren. York Lodge No. 236, where the compasses are still used today at the installation of a new master, allowed Bro. Steel one shilling and six pence per week to assist him in his declining years. The Turks Head used as its Warrant the 1693 Masonic Roll and on cessation of the Lodges activities, the Tyler took this roll to Wetherby where it was used as a Warrant to found the Alfred Lodge No.434 in 1781. This lodge was erased in 1797.
