Surviving Documents of the Widow's Son

This volume is created as a part of "A Seat of Knowledge Series," to further the good cause of Masonry, as the information contained herein is of primary importance to Masonic research. The documents herein were compiled with the purpose of easing the burden of study. To assist with readability, this book is a reproduction of the originals with editorial work, 12 pt. font, which includes illustrations. There are no interpretations, considerations or footnotes offered for a reason. The reader is left to interpret according to their knowledge and education in Freemasonry. The documents are listed in order of date; however, the Halliwell MS as the prominent is listed first. Due to the Royal change in 1714, many of the Masonic records and manuscripts were either removed and spirited away or destroyed by the incoming or outgoing Royal House. There is no definitive answer to what happened to the existing documents during that time. The Hanoverians looked upon the Masons as a dangerous rival political force, yet the popularity of the Lodges made their suppression difficult. Their solution was to create a rival "official" Masonry, and so, in 1717, members of the aristocracy loyal to the new King created what they called a "Grand Lodge" claiming authority and control over all Masons everywhere, and declaring that without a charter from them, they were not Masons and they could not meet! Naturally, this did not sit well with the various lodges so Rival "Grand Lodges" were formed, the so-called "immemorial" lodges refused to surrender authority to the London Grand Lodge, and the practice of "making" and "unmaking" Masons of various allegiances was begun. That is why there is that language about "irregular lodges" in the Third-degree obligation.In the study of the pre-1688 documents, the astute researcher will recognize the "then and now" of Freemasonry. Surviving Documents predating the fire of London in 1666 and the 1688 revolution of England after the Hanoverian House took the reigns of monarchy from the Royal Stuart's Family of Scotland are also included.The Origins of Freemasonry by Bro. Thomas Paine has also been included at the end of the documents. We hereby begin with an essay on the old Charges by Brother Robert Gould.