Interesting Beginnings

In 1176, London Bridge was commenced to be built in stone and took 33 years to complete. During that lengthy period, many masons must have been permanently employed in London and therefore it would seem highly likely that the Masons’ Company was formed during that time? Strangely, this coincided with the building of Glasgow Cathedral in 1197.

In 1272, two master masons and two master carpenters were chosen from their respective Guilds to serve the office of City Viewers in London. This remit was viewing and reporting on the erection of any new buildings. The large number of masons employed within its boundaries was evident from the Fabric Rolls of Westminster Abbey which record payments to masons.

In 1356, a dispute started between masons who were hewers and masons who were setters or layers. As a result, a code of regulations were formed where 12 master masons (6 hewers who were called Free-stone Masons in the records and 6 Layers who were rough masons) which would bring some peace although the hewers were given precedence. It is these regulations where the beginnings on the usual statutes appear such as taking an apprentice for 7 years, not overcharging, etc. a reference was made to the 36th entry: the Masons’ Company. Although the term freemason was not the official term, it was often called the Company of Freemasons. In all likelihood, this would be to differentiate between hewers and layers.

The Right of electing Members of Parliament cam into being in 1375 and the list of City Companies is drawn up and the following year, the Masons’ Company appears on the lit for the first time. The 19th company was the ffreemasons but this entry was scored out and In 1463, the company acquires a 99 year lease on land in the Aldgate area and a hall is built. A few years later, the company provide 20 masons as men-at-arms to watch the city and their motto is on their arms is “God is our Guide” (as shown and now the motton of the masonic order known colloquially as The Operatives) which changes in 1600 to “In the Lord is all our Trust.” In 1481, mention is made to wardens being chosen at an assembly for the ensuing two years (evidence of the installation idea?). It wouldn’t be until 1495 that the word freemason appears in the Statutes of the Realm.

Thus it is possible to see early operative evidence of the

Craft with many practices continuing to modern times.

Today, the Worshipful Company of Masons still exists, but similar to The Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow, they are not masonic and purely charitable helping many stonemasons and others relating to the craft. They are now number 30 (out of 110)in the order of precedence of the Ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, as set by the Aldermen of the City in 1515. Its membership includes professionals from the construction and property industry, specialists in stonemasonry as well as those with connections to or interest in the City.