Freemasonry In The Seventeenth Century: Chester, 1650-1700.

Moule writes " it is considered to be one of the most scarce of Heraldic Books , and that not more than fifty copies are to be found in the Kingdom . " It is of this extraordinary production that I propose to give a few notes , but before doing so it may be well to give a short history of the family of Holme .

Prom Thomas , third son of William Holme of Tranmere , a manor in Wirral Hundred , descended ( third son ) Thomas Holme of Chester , living in the fifth year of King James I . [ 1607-8 ] , smith . He married Elizabeth , daughter of John Knyvett , of Kinnarton . He and his wife were both buried at the Church of St . Michael , at Chester . His fourth son , the first Bandle Holme , was Deputy to the College of Arms for CheshireShropshireand Worth WalesSheriff of Chester in 1615

Alder-, , , , man of the same city in 1629 , ancl Mayor 1633-4 . He was buried at St . Mary ' s on the Hill , at Chester , 30 th January , 1654-5 . By his marriage with Elizabeth , daughter of Thomas Alcock of Chester , and relict of Thomas Chaloner of Chester , * Ulster King-at-Arms , he had issue . His second son ancl heir was the second Bandle Holme . Like his father he married twice ; first , in 1625 , Catherineeldest daughter of Matthew Ellisof Overleghco . Chestergent .

, , , , , and secondly , Elizabeth , daughter and heir of Thomas Dod , of the City of Chester , relict of Samuel Martyn , merchant ; she was buried at St . Mary ' s in 1661 . The second Randle Holme was baptised at St . Mary ' s , Chester , 15 July , 1601 . He was a Justice of the Peace , Sheriff of Chester during his father ' s Mayoralty , 1633-4 , and himself Mayor in 1643 , when the city was besieged by the Parliamentarians . With his father he was deputy to Norroy King of

Arms for Cheshire , Lancashire , and North Wales . He died , aged 63 , 4 Sep . 1 Charles II . [ 1649 ] , and was buried at St . Mary ' s on the Hill . His eldest son and heir , by his first wife Catherine , was the third Bandits Holme , bom 24 Dec ., 1627 , baptised at St . Mary ' s , Chester , and buried there 15 th March , 1699-1700 ; who by his first wife , Elizabeth , daughter of George Wilson , of Chester , born 23 May , 1643 , and married 31 July , 1666 , had six sons and

two daughters . By his second wife , Sarah , eldest daughter and coheiress of Henry Soley , Minister of the Gospel at Forton , co . Salop , baptised 18 June , 1629 , died , aged 36 , 5 April , 1665 , and buried at St . Mary ' s , Chester , he had issue an only son , the fourth Bandle Holme , and four daughters . The fourth Randle Holme married Margaret , daughter of Griffith Lloyd , of Llanarnon and Brondake , co . Denbigh , gent . He died in 1707 without surviving issue , his only son , a bth Bandle Holme , and five daughters died before him , and as will be seen from his will , printed in the Appendix , he left his property , & c , to his wife , brothers , & c .

The Third Bandle . Holme was the author of the celebrated " Academie of Armory . " In consideration of the services and losses of Ms family , possibly occasioned by the siege of Chester in the year 1643 , when his father was Mayor , he obtained the place of Sewer of the Chamber in Extraordinary to Charles II ., as appears by a protection 20 Dec , 1664 , and exemption from offices granted b y Edward Montagu , Baron Kimholton , & c , Earl of Manchester ,

Lord Chamberlain of the Household to Charles II . He , like his father and grandfather before him , was a herald , and deputy to Garter King of Arms for Cheshire , Lancashire , Shropshire , and North Wales . He was prosecuted at the Stafford Assizes , 20 Charles II . ( 1668-9 ) , by Sir William Dugdale , then Norroy King of arms , for his irregularity in marshalling the funeral of Sir Ralph Assheton . A verdict was obtained against Randle Holme , with 20 . I . damages . He died 15 March , 1699-1700 , and was buried at St . Mary ' s .