William Preston s Lecture

The photos show the two faces of an old Lodge floor cloth owned by St Patricks Lodge No. 43 (IC). At one time these would have been carried by a Lodge Officer known as an Ensign, on a pole, as a bannerette, which was carried at the front of the Lodge, just behind the fife and drum, but in front of the Lodge Warrant, as the Master led his members to the two annual St John's Day service in the 24th June and the 27th December.

Below is the Craft face and in your post you have shown the Higher Degree face. The purpose of this type of floor cloth was two fold. When on display in the Lodge Room, it was used as an aide memoir for the degree givers. When parading in front of the Lodge walking to and from church, it was designed to awe the non masons who saw it, as an illustration of the many mysteries known to the Lodge members that were not known to outsiders. You could in fact regard it as an early form of advertising, to encourage non masons to join.

Thanks to Bro. Bob Bashford PM for providing the info.