Academie of Armory

Academie of Armory. A book by Randle Holme III of Chester, England, a genealogist and herald, published in 1688, one passage of which has Masonic interest as follows: "I cannot but honor the Fellowship of the Masons because of it [sic] Antiquity; and the more, as being a Member of that Society, called Free-Masons: In being conversant amongst them I have observed the use of these several Tools following, some whereof I have seen born in coats Armour."

Macoy Collector's Note: Randle Holme's 1688 publication is a vital early printed reference proving the existence of speculative "Free-Masons" decades before the formation of the premier Grand Lodge in 1717.