Antiquity Manuscript

Antiquity Manuscript. A typical representative of the GOTHIC CONSTITUTIONS (q.v.) long in possession of LODGE OF ANTIQUITY (q.v.). A portion of it was published by Preston in Illustrations of Masonry (Book ii, sec. vi, pp. 81-83, 1812 ed.), but the whole MS. was first published by Hughan in his Old Charges of the British Freemasons (p. 64). The MS. is a parchment roll 9 feet long by 11 inches wide, formed of four pieces glued together. The roll bears an engraving of the Royal Arms, under which is the Arms of the City of London and the Arms of the MASONS COMPANY OF LONDON (q.v.). The Charges consist of 6 Charges Generall to every true Mason both Masters & Fellowes, and 15 Charges single for Masons allowed and accepted. It concludes thus: ”William Bray Free-man of London and Freemason. Written by Robert Padgett Clearke to the Worshipful Society of Free Masons in the City of London in the second yeare of the Raigne of our most Gracious Sovereign Lord King James the Second of England etc. Anno Domini 1686.”